Definition
An aircraft loaded beyond its certificated maximum allowable weight for the operation being conducted. An overweight aircraft cannot be flown under normal airworthiness rules and may only be flown under a Special Flight Permit issued by the FAA, typically to relocate the aircraft to a base where the excess weight can be removed or the situation otherwise resolved.
Plain English
An aircraft that is heavier than the manufacturer and FAA say it is allowed to be for safe flight. It is not legal to fly in normal operations, and a special permit is needed to move it.
Context Anchor
Seen in special flight permit discussions, especially when an aircraft needs extra fuel or equipment for a particular flight.
Why Pilots Care
Operating without authorization risks loss of structural margins, insurance coverage, and regulatory compliance.
Grounding Statement
An overweight aircraft may still be flyable, but it is outside its normal approved weight range and must be handled as a special case.
Intuition Check
Do not read “overweight” as a vague description meaning “a bit heavy.” In this context, it means the aircraft is above the weight it is normally approved to operate at, so special approval is required.
Example Sentence 1
Because the ferry flight required extra fuel that put the aircraft above its maximum takeoff weight, the operator requested a Special Flight Permit to legally fly the overweight aircraft to the maintenance base.
Example Sentence 2
An overweight aircraft may receive a one-time authorization to fly directly to a facility where weight can be reduced.