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This glossary is written for virtual airline and flight simulation use within Virtual Air Canada Airline. It is not intended as a real-world aviation reference.
Zero Fuel Weight is the total weight of the aircraft including all payload - passengers, baggage, cargo, and crew - plus the empty operating weight of the aircraft itself, but excluding any usable fuel. It represents the weight of the aircraft before fuel is added for the flight. ZFW is a critical structural limit because wing bending loads during flight are greatest when the fuselage is heavy relative to the wings - and fuel stored in the wings provides a relief load that counteracts this bending. When fuel burns off in flight, the aircraft reaches its minimum in-flight weight (close to ZFW), and at this point wing bending loads are at their maximum. Every aircraft has a Maximum Zero Fuel Weight (MZFW) defined in the AFM and structural design. Operators must ensure that the planned payload does not result in a ZFW that exceeds MZFW, even if the resulting TOW would be within MTOW limits. Dispatchers calculate ZFW as part of the load and trim sheet preparation for each flight, and it drives the fuel load calculation: Trip Fuel + Contingency + Alternate + Reserve + Taxi Fuel is added to ZFW to determine the required TOW. The ZFW and its centre of gravity (ZFWCG) are also used to determine the aircraft’s trim setting and stabiliser position for departure.

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In Virtual Airline Operations

SimBrief calculates and displays the estimated ZFW for each VACA flight plan based on the aircraft type, payload, and standard weights. Virtual pilots should enter the SimBrief ZFW into the aircraft’s loadsheet, FMS, or payload manager add-on before departure to ensure accurate weight and balance data. Using the correct ZFW ensures that V-speeds, VAPP, and fuel planning are all derived from accurate figures, and it is an important part of thorough pre-flight preparation.
  • TOW - Take-Off Weight
  • VREF - Reference Speed
  • VAPP - Approach Speed