Influence of ethnicity on passenger standard weight

Aircraft operators must ensure before take-off that aircraft weight and balance are within certified limits. It is common practice in the industry, particularly for large aircraft, that standard weights are used to determine passenger load on the basis that the use of an average weight is an appropriate measure for the actual passenger load. The standard passenger weight is typically derived from surveys and must be reviewed from time to time to reflect the weight variation in the general population. Most aviation safety authorities recommend the use of a standard passenger weight, with variations depending on aircraft size, gender, adult/child, season, etc. For small aircraft weight and balance is particularly critical and actual passenger weight or a higher standard passenger weight must be used. Carry-on baggage can be included in the standard passenger weight or is treated separately. This paper gives an introduction to the issue of aircraft load and balance and gives an overview of the procedures recommended by aviation safety authorities. The paper concludes with a presentation and discussion of an Australian passenger survey to determine the influence of ethnicity on average passenger weight.