Definition
The base unit of mass in the International System of Units (SI), equal to 1,000 grams or approximately 2.2046 pounds. In aviation maintenance, it is used to express component mass, fluid quantities, and aircraft weight figures on metric-spec equipment and documentation.
Plain English
A unit of mass in the metric system. One kilogram is just over two pounds.
Context Anchor
Seen in maintenance manuals, aircraft loading information, and weight-and-balance work when values are given in metric units.
Derivation
From the French 'kilogramme,' built from the Greek 'khilioi' (thousand) and 'gramma' (a small weight). The name itself signals what it is: one thousand grams.
Why Pilots Care
Mixing kilograms and pounds during fueling or weight calculations has caused serious incidents. Knowing the unit on the document — and converting carefully — keeps weight and balance figures honest.
Intuition Check
Do not treat kilogram as just another word for pound. A kilogram is a metric unit, and it must be converted if the aircraft records or loading chart use pounds.
Example Sentence 1
The replacement actuator weighed 3 kilograms, listed as 6.6 pounds in the U.S. service bulletin.
Example Sentence 2
Technicians weighed the removed panel in kilograms before ordering a replacement.