Definition
An interim total in a weight-and-balance computation representing the airplane's ramp weight before subtracting the fuel that will be burned during engine start, taxi, and runup. It is the running total at the point in the loading worksheet where the basic empty weight, occupants, baggage, and full usable fuel have all been added together, but the taxi fuel allowance has not yet been deducted to arrive at takeoff weight.
Plain English
A halfway-point number on the loading worksheet. You add up the empty airplane, the people, the bags, and all the fuel on board. That total is the subtotal ramp weight. From there you subtract the fuel used for starting and taxiing to get the takeoff weight.
Context Anchor
Seen in weight-and-balance calculations, especially when working from zero fuel weight to ramp weight, takeoff weight, and landing weight.
Derivation
Subtotal means a partial sum on the way to a final figure. Ramp refers to the parking ramp where the airplane sits fully loaded before taxiing. Together it means the partial sum that represents the weight of the airplane while still on the ramp.
Why Pilots Care
Confirms the aircraft stays within the maximum allowable ramp weight before taxi and takeoff.
Grounding Statement
At this point in the calculation, the aircraft is loaded and fueled, but it has not yet burned the fuel used before takeoff.
Intuition Check
Do not read “subtotal” as the final flight weight. Subtotal ramp weight is an intermediate number; takeoff weight and landing weight still have to be calculated after fuel burn is subtracted.
Example Sentence 1
After adding the empty weight, two occupants, baggage, and full fuel, the pilot wrote down a subtotal ramp weight of 2,580 pounds before subtracting the taxi fuel allowance.
Example Sentence 2
Check that the subtotal ramp weight remains below the maximum ramp weight before releasing the brakes.