Definition
The procedure of placing an aircraft on scales to determine its empty weight and the location of its center of gravity. The aircraft is leveled, drained or serviced to a defined fuel and fluid condition, and the reading from each scale is recorded and used to calculate weight and balance figures that are entered in the aircraft's permanent records.
Plain English
Putting the aircraft on scales to find out exactly what it weighs and where its balance point is.
Context Anchor
Seen in aircraft maintenance and weight-and-balance records, especially after repairs, equipment changes, or repainting.
Derivation
From 'weigh' (to measure weight) plus 'off' used in the sense of completing or finalizing a measurement — similar to 'sign-off' or 'check-off.' The hyphenated form signals it as a defined maintenance action, not just the act of weighing.
Why Pilots Care
Confirms the aircraft carries the correct amount of lift for safe takeoff and controlled flight without excess or insufficient buoyancy.
Intuition Check
Do not read “weigh-off” as removing weight from the aircraft. It means officially weighing the aircraft and recording the result.
Example Sentence 1
After the new interior was installed, the aircraft was scheduled for a weigh-off to update its empty weight and center of gravity.
Example Sentence 2
After completing the weigh-off, the crew adjusted ballast to leave the desired free lift for the flight.