Originally Posted by
av8tor94
However, he did say that we can in fact exceed the MZFW and still depart. I'm still a bit confused by this as a result of many discussions with colleagues; some agree but most don't. Any performance engineers here care to comment?
What makes the MZFW so different from other limitations in the AFM? Why not exceed MTOW, MLW, Vmo, Mmo, service ceiling? These things obviously don't apply to examiners with superior experience and piloting skills.
It has nothing do to with performance, it is a purely aircraft certification thing. And as soon you stray away from the AFM limits, you are in flight testing zone. Good luck with getting any authority to allow flight testing in commercial air transport operations.