Review of standard passenger and cabin luggage weight procedures

Aircraft operators must ensure that aircraft weight and balance are within certificated limits. It is common practice for operators to determine the passenger load from an average passenger weight. This average passenger weight, also known as a standard passenger weight, is used if any deviation from the actual passenger weight is minimal and acceptable. This standard passenger weight is typically derived from surveys and must be reviewed and updated periodically to accurately reflect the flying public population. National Aviation Authorities (NAA) offer advice on standard passenger weights relevant to the population within the NAAs jurisdiction. The same aircraft operating under different NAAs may not be operating with the same weight estimate for the same passenger. Variation in the national average weights, attitudes towards exercise, consumption and national wealth are all factors that can create variations in NAA standard passenger weights. This paper is an exploration into the methods and statistics recommended by NAAs for estimating a standard passenger weight. A perspective on future of standard passenger weight legislation is discussed from an Australian and global perspective with potential solutions presented and discussed.