Which weight parameter is essential for accurate center of gravity calculations during Latitude planning?

• A. Gross weight
• B. Zero fuel weight
• C. Fuel quantity
• D. Payload weight only

Answer: (B)

Center of gravity calculations hinge on a baseline weight that represents the aircraft with all payload and structure but without usable fuel. This baseline is Zero Fuel Weight. Knowing ZFW lets you determine how the payload and airframe weigh and where their moments place the CG before fuel is added. Once ZFW is established, you can add fuel weight (and its moment) to get the actual takeoff CG and track how it shifts as fuel is burned.

Why not the other options? Gross weight lumps in fuel, so it doesn’t give a clear baseline for how payload and structure affect balance. Fuel quantity matters for the CG as fuel adds weight and changes moment, but without knowing the ZFW you can’t accurately separate payload effects from fuel effects. Payload weight alone omits the aircraft’s empty weight and other non-payload contributions that influence CG.

So Zero Fuel Weight is the essential parameter for accurate CG calculations during Latitude planning.