What is operational weight empty?

Operational weight empty refers to the total weight of the aircraft when it is ready for flight, but not fully loaded with passengers and cargo. It includes the basic empty weight of the aircraft, which encompasses the weight of the airframe, engines, and any standard required equipment, as well as the weight of the pilot and any other necessary operational items.

This definition highlights the importance of including the pilot, as it reflects the actual operational state of the aircraft where it would be ready to take off, assuming no additional passengers or cargo are on board. By considering the pilot’s weight along with the basic empty weight, this value becomes essential for flight planning and weight and balance calculations, ensuring that the aircraft operates safely within its limits.

Other options may incorporate elements like payload or fully loaded states, but they do not accurately capture the definition of operational weight empty as it is understood in aviation.