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A medium transport helicopter is loaded with maximum fuel of 2 367 litres at a fuel density (specific gravity) of 0.79. Given the following information, calculate the maximum permissible Traffic Load:

Maximum Structural Taxi Mass (MSTM): 8 600 kg.
Maximum Structural Take-Off Mass (MSTOM): 8 600 kg.
Performance Limited Take-Off Mass (PLTOM): 8 490 kg.
Performance Limited Landing Mass (PLLM): 8 600 kg.
Dry Operating Mass (DOM): 5 010 kg.
Taxi Fuel: 10 kg.
Trip Fuel: 1 080 kg.
Contingency and Final Reserve Fuel: 470 kg.
Alternate Fuel: 240 kg.

  • A
    1 620 kg
  • B
    1 550 kg
  • C
    1 610 kg
  • D
    1 730 kg

Refer to figures.
Dry Operating Mass (DOM) is the total mass of the helicopter ready for a specific type of operation excluding all usable fuel and traffic load. This mass includes the items below, known as Variable Load (VL):

  • Crew and crew baggage
  • Catering and removable passenger service equipment
  • Portable water and lavatory chemicals
  • Food and beverages.

Take-Off Mass (TOM) is the mass of a helicopter including everything and everyone contained within it at the start of the take-off run.

Useful Load (UL) consists of the fuel onboard for a flight and traffic load.

Traffic load (TL) in a helicopter refers to the number of passengers or cargo that the aircraft is carrying at a given time. It is used to determine the weight and balance of the helicopter, which is important for safe flight. The maximum traffic load of a helicopter is determined by its design and is specified in its flight manual.

Zero Fuel Mass (ZFM) is the term used to describe the DOM plus TL but excluding usable fuel.

The fuel onboard is 2 367 litres and converted to kg by:

  • Fuel = 2 367 litre x 0.79 = 1 870 kg.

Take off fuel is derived:

  • Take off fuel = fuel onboard – taxi fuel = 1 870 kg – 10 kg = 1 860 kg.

Calculate TL by:

  • TL = PLTOM – DOM – take off fuel= 8 490 kg – 5010 kg – 1 860 kg
  • TL = 1 620 kg

NOTES:

  1. Fuel onboard is given in litres and shall be converted to kgs by applying specific gravity.
  2. Taxi fuel is well below the MSTM and used prior take off therefore, not part of PLTOM.
  3. The most limiting mass shall be used in the calculation to provide safe operation, in this case the performance limiting take off mass is the most limiting mass.

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