What is the difference between “ramp weight” and the “takeoff weight”?

• A. Ramp weight is before engine start.
• B. Ramp weight is after liftoff.
• C. Ramp weight is the aircraft weight with all fuel and cargo loaded at the ramp just before engine start; takeoff weight is after engine start and taxi, before liftoff (fuel burn during taxi is typically not counted in ramp weight).
• D. Ramp weight excludes fuel.

Answer: (C)

Ramp weight represents the aircraft as it sits on the ramp with all fuel and cargo loaded, just before you start any engines. Takeoff weight is the weight once you’ve started the engines and taxied to the runway, right before liftoff, reflecting any fuel burned during taxi and run-up. Because fuel is burned during taxi, the takeoff weight is typically less than the ramp weight by that amount of taxi fuel.

So the best description is that ramp weight is the pre-start loaded weight, and takeoff weight is the post-start, post-taxi weight just before liftoff, with taxi fuel burn accounted for.