Which expression correctly defines useful load?

• A. Payload plus fixed ballast
• B. BEW plus payload
• C. Payload plus usable fuel
• D. BEW plus usable fuel

Answer: (C)

Useful load is the portion of the airplane’s weight that can be used for carrying payload and fuel. It is defined as payload plus usable fuel. In other words, the weight you can add to the basic empty weight to reach the takeoff weight consists of the people, baggage, cargo (payload) and the fuel you can actually burn (usable fuel).

Basic Empty Weight represents the airplane with standard equipment and no payload or usable fuel, and fixed ballast is considered part of that empty weight, not something that adds to useful load. Usable fuel is the fuel you can use in flight; unusable fuel does not count toward useful load.

So the correct expression shows you’re adding what can be carried for flight (payload) to what can be burned for flight (usable fuel).