FAR 91.605 — Transport Category Weight Limitations
FAR 91.605 sets takeoff and landing weight limits for transport category airplanes, including AFM, runway, clearway, and stopway requirements.
In Plain English
FAR 91.605 sets the weight rules for operating transport category airplanes. The regulation splits airplanes into two groups: older non-turbine transports, and turbine-powered transports certificated after September 30, 1958.
For older (non-turbine) transports, you cannot take off unless:
- Takeoff weight is within the authorized max for the airport elevation.
- The departure airport elevation falls within the altitude range the takeoff weights cover.
- Burning normal fuel and oil to the destination leaves you at or below the max landing weight for that field's elevation.
- Destination and alternate airport elevations are within the altitude range the landing weights cover.
For post-1958 turbine transports, you must follow the Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) and ensure takeoff and landing weights match AFM values for the actual elevation, temperature, runway, gradient, and wind, including wet runway data when applicable.
For turbine transports certificated after August 29, 1959, you must also confirm that the accelerate-stop distance fits within runway plus stopway, the takeoff distance fits within runway plus clearway, and the takeoff run fits within the runway itself. This rule matters because it ties paper performance numbers directly to the actual runway you're using on a hot, high, or contaminated day.
Regulation Text
14 CFR § 91.605§ 91.605 Transport category civil airplane weight limitations.
(a) No person may take off any transport category airplane (other than a turbine-engine-powered airplane certificated after September 30, 1958) unless—
(1) The takeoff weight does not exceed the authorized maximum takeoff weight for the elevation of the airport of takeoff;
(2) The elevation of the airport of takeoff is within the altitude range for which maximum takeoff weights have been determined;
(3) Normal consumption of fuel and oil in flight to the airport of intended landing will leave a weight on arrival not in excess of the authorized maximum landing weight for the elevation of that airport; and
(4) The elevations of the airport of intended landing and of all specified alternate airports are within the altitude range for which the maximum landing weights have been determined.
(b) No person may operate a turbine-engine-powered transport category airplane certificated after September 30, 1958, contrary to the Airplane Flight Manual, or take off that airplane unless—
(1) The takeoff weight does not exceed the takeoff weight specified in the Airplane Flight Manual for the elevation of the airport and for the ambient temperature existing at the time of takeoff;
(2) Normal consumption of fuel and oil in flight to the airport of intended landing and to the alternate airports will leave a weight on arrival not in excess of the landing weight specified in the Airplane Flight Manual for the elevation of each of the airports involved and for the ambient temperatures expected at the time of landing;
(3) The takeoff weight does not exceed the weight shown in the Airplane Flight Manual to correspond with the minimum distances required for takeoff, considering the elevation of the airport, the runway to be used, the effective runway gradient, the ambient temperature and wind component at the time of takeoff, and, if operating limitations exist for the minimum distances required for takeoff from wet runways, the runway surface condition (dry or wet). Wet runway distances associated with grooved or porous friction course runways, if provided in the Airplane Flight Manual, may be used only for runways that are grooved or treated with a porous friction course (PFC) overlay, and that the operator determines are designed, constructed, and maintained in a manner acceptable to the Administrator.
(4) Where the takeoff distance includes a clearway, the clearway distance is not greater than one-half of—
(i) The takeoff run, in the case of airplanes certificated after September 30, 1958, and before August 30, 1959; or
(ii) The runway length, in the case of airplanes certificated after August 29, 1959.
(c) No person may take off a turbine-engine-powered transport category airplane certificated after August 29, 1959, unless, in addition to the requirements of paragraph (b) of this section—
(1) The accelerate-stop distance is no greater than the length of the runway plus the length of the stopway (if present); and
(2) The takeoff distance is no greater than the length of the runway plus the length of the clearway (if present); and
(3) The takeoff run is no greater than the length of the runway.
[Docket 18334, 54 FR 34318, Aug. 18, 1989, as amended by Amdt. 91-256, 63 FR 8321, Feb. 18, 1998]
Oral Exam Questions a DPE Might Ask
Q1For a turbine-powered transport category airplane certificated after September 30, 1958, what factors must you consider when determining the maximum allowable takeoff weight?
Per FAR 91.605(b), takeoff weight cannot exceed the AFM value for the airport elevation and ambient temperature, and must also correspond to the AFM minimum takeoff distances considering runway, effective runway gradient, wind component, and (if applicable) wet runway surface condition.
Q2Under FAR 91.605, what three runway-related distance limits must a turbine transport airplane certificated after August 29, 1959, satisfy for takeoff?
FAR 91.605(c) requires that the accelerate-stop distance not exceed runway plus stopway, the takeoff distance not exceed runway plus clearway, and the takeoff run not exceed the length of the runway.
Q3How does FAR 91.605 address landing weight planning before departure?
FAR 91.605(a)(3) and (b)(2) require that normal fuel and oil burn en route leave the airplane at or below the maximum landing weight for the destination — and for turbine post-1958 aircraft, also for alternates — at the expected elevation and ambient temperature.
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Related Sections in Part 91