Definition
The highest gross weight at which an aircraft is approved by the manufacturer and certifying authority to land, as published in the aircraft's type certificate and flight manual. This weight accounts for the structural limits of the landing gear and airframe under normal landing loads.
Plain English
The heaviest the aircraft is allowed to be when its wheels touch down on landing. Going above this number is not permitted under normal operations.
Context Anchor
Seen in instrument approach procedure discussions, especially when determining an aircraft’s approach category.
Derivation
"Certified" comes from Latin certus (sure, settled) plus facere (to make) -- to make sure or formally confirm. A certified weight is one the authority has formally confirmed as safe, not just a guideline.
Why Pilots Care
It directly determines required runway length, approach speed, and landing distance available, ensuring the aircraft remains within certified structural and performance limits.
Intuition Check
Do not read this as the airplane’s actual weight at touchdown on one flight. It means the officially approved upper weight limit for landing, used as a standard reference.
Example Sentence 1
After the engine issue shortly after departure, the crew entered a hold to burn fuel down to the maximum certified landing weight before returning to the airport.
Example Sentence 2
Approach category speeds are published using the aircraft's reference speed at maximum certified landing weight.