FAA-H-8083-30B AMT General Handbook – Mathematics in Aviation Maintenance Practice Exam

Effective gross weight is an important concept in aviation that refers to the actual weight that an aircraft can safely carry while considering the various limits imposed by design and operational constraints. The effective gross weight allows for adjustments based on operational factors like fuel load and equipment configurations.

The option indicating "Maximum Takeoff Weight minus Landing Gear Weight" captures this idea because it takes the standard maximum takeoff weight of the aircraft and accounts for the weight that is not considered part of the payload during the operational limits. The effective gross weight is typically derived from the maximum takeoff weight, which includes the weight of everything onboard: passengers, cargo, fuel, and essential equipment. By subtracting certain components, such as the weight of the landing gear or other non-payload factors, you arrive at an accurate representation of the functional load the aircraft can carry effectively.

In contrast, other options either describe different weight measurements or do not provide an appropriate calculation that adjusts for non-load-bearing components, failing to capture the essence of effective gross weight as it involves both operational capabilities and safety margins.