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.

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.

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 ?

Was the same in my previous airline.

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?

No idea.
Airline went bankrupt anyway.

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.

I thought MTOW must never be exceeded irrespective ?

True! So now RTOW will be restricted by MTOW.

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.