From this graph, Fujita then released the following descriptions for the F-Scale http://www.spc.noaa.gov/faq/tornado/f-scale.html. Over the years, the F-Scale has revealed the following weaknesses: 1  It is subjective based solely on the. 2  caused by a tornado.
9 Answers. The empty weight is the weight of the airplane including anything that is permanently attached to it and includes any un-drainable fluids. There is a maximum gross weight for takeoff and on larger aircraft there may be a maximum landing weight. The useful load is the difference between the maximum gross weight and the empty weight. To the empty weight, you have to add the fuel, oil, any other fluids, pilot and passengers, and baggage.
Heavy vs Large vs Small Aircraft. Additionally, the term large with respect to aircraft means one thing to air traffic controllers and another thing to pilots. A heavy aircraft, according to the FAA's Air Traffic Control Policy, Order JO 7110.65V, effective April 3, 2014, is one that is capable of taking off at a weight of 300,000 pounds or more. The key word is capable - an aircraft can operate with less than 300,000 pounds during takeoff and still be classified as heavy under this air traffic control policy. A large aircraft is one with a maximum certified takeoff weight of more than 41,000 pounds and less than 300,000 pounds. A small aircraft is one with a maximum certified takeoff weight of 41,000 pounds.