Weight of Aircraft: What Do Airplanes Tip the Scales At?
Heavyweights in the Sky: A Look at the Maximum Takeoff Weight of Aircraft
The world of aviation is vast and diverse, with aircraft ranging from light general aviation planes to the largest cargo aircraft ever built. One key aspect that sets these aircraft apart is their maximum takeoff weight (MTOW), a measure of an aircraft's total weight at the moment of takeoff, including passengers, fuel, cargo, and other necessary equipment.
In the realm of heavy jets and large commercial variants, the Boeing 747 and Airbus A380 stand out as titans. The Boeing 747, with an MTOW of 970,000 pounds (439,939 kg) and the 747-8I variant reaching 988,000 pounds (448,521 kg), is one of the heaviest aircraft ever produced. The Airbus A380, on the other hand, boasts the world's largest MTOW for a passenger airliner, weighing in at a staggering 1,208,000 pounds (548,318 kg).
The Lockheed C-5 Galaxy, a military transport aircraft, also falls into the category of "Super" heavy aircraft, with an MTOW of 833,000 pounds (377,882 kg). This aircraft, along with the Antonov An-225 Mriya, the heaviest aircraft ever built, demonstrates the capabilities of large cargo planes, with MTOWs ranging from roughly 280,000 pounds (127,460 kg) for the Lockheed C-5M Galaxy up to about 1,410,000 pounds (640 tonnes) for the Antonov An-225 Mriya.
In comparison, light aircraft typically have MTOWs under 12,500 pounds (5,670 kg), while private jets range from about 10,000 pounds (4,500 kg) for small jets up to around 40,000 pounds (18,000 kg) for mid-size jets. Commercial airliners, such as the Boeing 737-800, have MTOWs varying from around 150,000 pounds (68,000 kg) to about 500,000 pounds (227,900 kg) or more for wide-body jets like the Boeing 787-8.
This wide range reflects the diversity of aircraft, from the smallest personal airplanes to the largest cargo aircraft ever built. Understanding the MTOW of different aircraft provides insight into their capabilities and the engineering feats that have made modern aviation possible.
| Aircraft Type | MTOW Range (pounds) | MTOW Range (kilograms) | Example Aircraft | |----------------------|-------------------------|----------------------------|--------------------------------| | Light Aircraft | <12,500 | <5,670 | Typical light general aviation | | Private Jets | ~10,000 to ~40,000 | ~4,500 to ~18,000 | Small business jets | | Commercial Airliners | ~150,000 to >500,000 | ~68,000 to >227,000 | Boeing 737-800, Boeing 787-8 | | Heavy Jets | ~150,000 to ~200,000 | ~68,000 to ~90,000 | Boeing 737 MAX 8 | | Large Cargo Planes | ~280,000 to ~1,410,000 | ~127,000 to ~640,000 | Lockheed C-5M, Antonov An-225 |
The advancement in science and technology has enabled the creation of aircraft with varying maximum takeoff weights (MTOW). For instance, the Boeing 747 and Airbus A380, heavy jets and large commercial variants, possess an impressive MTOW of 970,000 pounds (439,939 kg) and 1,208,000 pounds (548,318 kg) respectively.
The field of science and technology continues to play a crucial role in the innovation of aviation, as evident in the development of ultra-heavy aircraft like the Antonov An-225 Mriya, with an MTOW of approximately 1,410,000 pounds (640 tonnes), the heaviest aircraft ever built.
