The major source of weight change for most aircraft as they age is caused by which factor?

• A. Repairs and alterations
• B. Repainting
• C. Engine replacements
• D. Seat modifications

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is that a aircraft’s empty weight tends to grow mainly because of repairs and alterations accumulated over its life. Every structural repair, replacement, or modification—such as new skins or doublers, added floors or brackets, upgraded avionics, or changes to the cabin—adds mass. These changes can noticeably increase the empty weight and can shift the center of gravity if not reflected in the weight-and-balance data. Repainting adds only a small, usually negligible amount of weight in comparison. Engine replacements and seat modifications can affect weight, but they’re not as universal or as weight-intensive as the ongoing repairs and alterations that accompany aging aircraft.