True that (especially on heavier Boeings/Airbus'), you cannot have payload at maximum weight?

Question

I mean, when all passengers and all cargo is in the plane (so every seat and every cargo place is occupied), you have a playload weight of about 60 tons, however, just about 45 tons of payload is the limit (for the maximum zero fuel weight).

However the payload weight is, tough, you can put the maximum fuel in it.

Answer 1

Not true.  It's not the aircraft design. Why would anyone in their right minds design and build an airplane that had to leave 15 tons of cargo or passengers on the ramp?

The problem with the larger aircraft is that many airports don't have runways and ramps that are built strong enough to support the extra weight of the super-jumbo jets.  The jet can leave with full fuel, because it will burn off fuel weight during the flight, but if the destination airport can only accept an airplane with a 45 ton cargo or passenger load,  it can't very well depart with 60 tons of people on board.

Answer 2

well no , you have to take other things into factor depending on the plane for one.. tempeture outside plays a big part. and you have to have the w/b done correctly .plnes fly better in cooler weather than warmer weather

Answer 3

kind of true but there is a max.. the one you are thinking of is the safe zone

Answer 4

Yes it is true.  You cannot put an arbitrarily small amount of fuel with a very large cabin load (say you just wanted to go up for a half-hour flight with a large group of sumo wrestlers and a cargo of gold bricks).  All aircraft can operate at their maximum gross weight (runway and weather depending of course) but there must be a minimum amount of fuel.  The maximum gross weight minus the minimum fuel weight is the maximum zero fuel weight.

The reason for this is the aircraft can be built lighter when some of the weight (like the fuel) is in the wings.  Jets rarely carry small amounts of fuel since they are designed for long distances, so this isn't really an issue.  Also the low relatively density of passenger or freight weight means that you don't usually get above the maximum zero fuel weight.

There are light aircraft that have the same limitations.  The Piper Cherokee Six cannot be loaded to maximum weight unless it has a minimum fuel load.