Plain English Meaning

These are the official weight limits the aircraft was tested and approved to operate within. The manufacturer set them, the FAA signed off on them, and the pilot must stay inside them.

Full Definition

The specific weight limits established by the manufacturer and approved by the FAA during aircraft certification, published in the Type Certificate Data Sheet (TCDS) and the Pilot's Operating Handbook. These typically include maximum takeoff weight, maximum landing weight, maximum ramp (taxi) weight, and maximum zero fuel weight. Operating an aircraft above any certificated weight is .