A note on glossary terms: over the years there has been
a proliferation of aircraft weight and balance terms.
This is the result of many factors such as: the FAA
certification regulation an aircraft was constructed
under, the FAA regulation the aircraft is being operated
under, manufacturers standardization agreements, or a
combination of these and others (an example are terms
such as: Empty Weight, Licensed Empty Weight, Basic
Empty Weight, Operational Empty Weight, and so on).
Many of these terms may have similar meanings or sound
similar. Pilots and aircraft mechanics must ensure they
understand the terminology and are applying the correct
values based on the procedure and situation dictating the
calculations undertaken.
In the Glossary, occasionally terms or a term word will
be followed by the word GAMA in parentheses, this
indicates that it is part of the standardized format adopted
by the General Aviation Manufacturers Association in
1976 know as GAMA Specification No.1. These aircraft in
general are manufactured under 14 CFR part 23 and differ
from aircraft manufactured under the earlier certification
rule Civil Air Regulation Part 3 for weight and balance
purposes in the condition under which empty weight was
established.
The aircraft that are certified per 14 CFR parts 23, 25,
27, and 29 established their certificated empty weight as
required in the appropriate section of these regulations
which to paraphrase states: The empty weight and
corresponding center of gravity must be determined by
weighting the aircraft with: