MTOW

MTOW stands for Maximum Takeoff Weight. It is the maximum gross weight at which an aircraft is certified to take off. MTOW includes the weight of the aircraft itself (empty weight), payload, fuel, and crew. It is a safety and performance limit set by the manufacturer and approved by aviation authorities; taking off heavier than MTOW is not permitted because it could exceed structural limits or degrade performance.

The MTOW is determined during aircraft certification and published in the Type Certificate Data Sheet and the Aircraft Flight Manual. It reflects the design limits of the airframe, wings, landing gear, propulsion, and control systems, along with required safety margins. MTOW is distinct from other limits such as maximum landing weight (MLW) and maximum zero-fuel weight (MZFW). The actual takeoff weight for a flight is the sum of empty weight, payload, and fuel, and must be kept at or below MTOW.

Operationally, pilots and dispatchers assess takeoff weight against MTOW and performance charts. They account for runway length, airport altitude and temperature, wind, and configuration. In practice, flights may operate below MTOW due to payload or fuel planning. Exceeding MTOW can compromise aircraft performance, resulting in insufficient climb performance, higher stall speed, or structural stress, while operating well below MTOW can reduce payload efficiency or require longer runways or additional fuel.

Regulatory context: MTOW is a certification limit recognized by aviation authorities such as the FAA, EASA, and ICAO, and applies to each aircraft variant as approved in its type certificate basis.