Definition
The weight of an object as measured under conditions other than at rest in a standard gravitational field. Apparent weight differs from true weight when the object is accelerating, is partially supported by another force (such as buoyancy), or is being measured in a non-inertial frame of reference. In aviation, an aircraft or its occupants experience an apparent weight greater or less than their true weight whenever the aircraft is maneuvering, because the load factor changes the force registered against the supporting surface.
Plain English
How heavy something seems to be in a given situation, which can be more or less than its real weight. When an aircraft pulls up sharply, everything inside feels heavier than it really is. When it pushes over, things feel lighter.
Context Anchor
Seen in discussions of aircraft maneuvers, turns, pull-ups, pushovers, and the forces a pilot or passenger feels in the seat.
Derivation
From Latin apparere, 'to appear or show.' Apparent weight is the weight that appears on the scale or is felt by the body — not necessarily the true weight pulled by gravity alone.
Why Pilots Care
Determines structural loads on the airframe and the physical forces felt by the pilot during turns, climbs, and descents.
Analogy
In an elevator, you feel heavier when it starts moving upward and lighter when it starts moving downward. Your real weight has not changed; your apparent weight has changed because of the elevator’s motion.
Grounding Statement
In a level 60-degree banked turn, a 2,000-pound airplane has an apparent weight of 4,000 pounds — the wings must lift twice the true weight to hold altitude.
Intuition Check
Apparent weight does not mean an estimated or imaginary weight. It means the weight that is actually felt or measured because gravity and aircraft motion are acting together.
Example Sentence 1
During the pull-up, the pilot felt his apparent weight increase as the load factor climbed to 3 Gs.
Example Sentence 2
During a push-over to zero g the apparent weight drops to zero and objects inside the cockpit float.