Payload (GAMA) is defined as what?

• A. The weight of occupants, cargo, and baggage
• B. The aircraft empty weight
• C. The fuel on board
• D. The pilot's personal gear

Answer: (D)

Payload is the weight carried on the airplane beyond the empty aircraft weight and the fuel it contains; it accounts for everything the airplane is carrying in terms of people, baggage, and cargo. The option that describes payload as the weight of occupants, cargo, and baggage matches this idea precisely, since passengers (occupants) and any cargo or baggage are the non-fuel items added to the aircraft. The empty weight describes the airplane alone with no payload or usable fuel, and fuel on board is considered separate from payload. If the pilot’s personal gear is on board, it is counted as baggage within the payload, not as a separate category.