The 777 minimum take-off weight is mainly an issue for the 77F (freighter).
This is simply because the freighter has a much lower Dry Operating Weight than it's equivalent passenger model (200
LR).
Combine a low DOW with those extremely powerful 110 k engines (which have been shown to be capable of 127 k
) and you have a situation where Vmca can be exceeded in the event of an engine seizure - obviously not an option!
Therefore you must either load fuel or ballast to bring the aircraft up to it's minimum TOW.
Here at EK I think we have a minimum TOW of about 170 tons versus a max TOW of about 350t. Would check the books but I'm supposed to be doing the washing-up while the wife's out.
