Floor load limit is defined as which of the following?

• A. The maximum payload of the aircraft
• B. The minimum floor strength.
• C. The maximum weight the floor can sustain per square inch/foot as provided by the manufacturer.
• D. The recommended cargo density.

Answer: (C)

The floor load limit is the maximum weight the floor can support per unit area, as specified by the manufacturer. This limit addresses how load is distributed across the floor, not the aircraft’s total weight. It’s typically expressed in pounds per square inch or per square foot and accounts for both static loads and potential dynamic loads during turbulence. Plan cargo and equipment so their weight distribution stays within this per-area limit; placing a heavy item on a small spot can cause local damage or failure of the floor structure. This value is different from the total payload or a simple density figure, since it matters how the load is spread across the floor rather than just how much weight exists overall.