Question

What is the first step to estimate the gross weight W0?

(a) To find crew and payload weight so initial W0 can be guess

(b) To find proper lofting

(c) Drafting

(d) Directly finding take-off distance

I have been asked this question by my school teacher while I was bunking the class.

Query is from Conceptual Sketch Sizing in portion Conceptual Sketch Sizing of Aircraft Design

Answer 1

Correct answer is (a) To find crew and payload weight so initial W0 can be guess

Easiest explanation: Take-off gross weight is determined in stepwise manner. It is an iterative process in which we first find weight of crew, passenger, payloads etc. After which next step is to guess gross weight based on crew and payload weight.