MTOW and RTOW

[gorter]

I work for a uk operator that does have flexible MTOW, but I was always under the impression (from my ops department) that it would take 2-3 working days to have the requisite approvals to change a MTOW. Having it change from inbound to outbound is impressive.

[beinghuman]

So for theory purpose, if your take off weight calculation comes to 78500 kgs after all the corrections for Airbus A320. Considering your Max TOW limit as 73500 kgs for A320, what would be your MTOW ?

You'd say your MTOW is 78500 or 73500 ? (Again, for theory purpose only)

Thanks folks.

[Tagron]

beinghuman

I suspect perhaps you are being confused by terms and definitions.

Regulated Take off Weight is the maximum weight at which you can perform a particular take-off. It is the lesser of the calculated performance limited weight and the aircraft's certificated MTOW. In the case you quote, the MTOW becomes the RTOW, i.e. 73500kgs.

The performance limited weight is a "maximum" of course but in terms of definitions it is not MTOW.

I have to join the ranks of those raising their eyebrows at the concept of on-the-day flexing of MTOWs. Could be it be that denti's company is, shall we say, exploiting a loophole ?

[de facto]

In general true, however for stuff like airway or landing fees the MTOW can be flexible again. We use around 8 to 10 different MTOWs and select the lowest usable for each flight. That MTOW is then the basis for all kind fees associated with that flight

Was the same in my previous airline.

[BOAC]

Just to complete the education for bh - RTOW can also be limited by landing weight.

de facto - how was the 'selective' MTOW notified to Eurocontrol and airports?

[de facto]

No idea.
Airline went bankrupt anyway.

[763 jock]

The best bit of bean counting I have seen is as follows:

Aircraft declared at 184 tonnes for an outbound flight (Banjul-fuel really proper expensive) so that maximum tanking could be utilised.

Inbound sector declared at the lower weight to avoid expensive nav and landing charges.

[vama]

Originally Posted by de facto

The MTOW is your Structural max take off weight(real weight).
The RTOW (Regulated) is your Performance adjusted take off weight which must be below your runway/obstacle level off/climb limit weight.

The adjustments are qnh,bleeds OFf,EAI ON.....
On a long runway you could see that your RTOW limit is well above your MTOW,up to 82T for a 738.

I thought MTOW must never be exceeded irrespective ?

[vilas]

Originally Posted by vama

I thought MTOW must never be exceeded irrespective ?

True! So now RTOW will be restricted by MTOW.

[punkalouver]

Originally Posted by de facto

Was the same in my previous airline.

Same here. It is known as the alternate MTOW and is applied at certain airports and and listed on the flight plan as a heads-up for flight crew awareness.

Then on the cockpit pre-flight check, one checks that a two-sided removable placard is displaying properly.

If using the alternate MTOW, that weight should be displayed. If using the normal MTOW, the blank side is displayed. If incorrectly displayed, let maintenance know and they will remove a couple of screws and flip it over.