What is the maximum useful load?

What is the maximum useful load?

• A. 895 lbs
• B. 900 lbs
• C. 875 lbs
• D. 1,000 lbs

Answer: (A)

Maximum useful load is the amount the airplane can carry in payload and usable fuel without exceeding the maximum gross weight. It’s found by subtracting the empty weight from the maximum gross weight. For this C172, the maximum gross weight minus the empty weight equals 895 pounds. That means the airplane can carry up to 895 pounds of people, baggage, and usable fuel in total. Fuel on board reduces the payload you can carry, since the total must stay within the gross weight limit. The other option figures wouldn’t align with the aircraft’s specified empty and gross weights, so they don’t reflect the actual useful-load capability.

Maximum useful load is the amount the airplane can carry in payload and usable fuel without exceeding the maximum gross weight. It’s found by subtracting the empty weight from the maximum gross weight.

For this C172, the maximum gross weight minus the empty weight equals 895 pounds. That means the airplane can carry up to 895 pounds of people, baggage, and usable fuel in total. Fuel on board reduces the payload you can carry, since the total must stay within the gross weight limit. The other option figures wouldn’t align with the aircraft’s specified empty and gross weights, so they don’t reflect the actual useful-load capability.