Chapter 2

Introduction to CAP 697

DEFINITIONS
Most of the following definitions are used in ICAO and JAA documentation. Some definitions are
common use and are not used in the relevant ICAO or JAA documentation but still need to be
known.
Definition

Meaning

Basic Empty Mass (Basic Mass)

The mass of an aeroplane plus standard items

such as:
i. Unusable fuel and other unusable fluids
ii. Lubricating oil in engine and auxiliary
units
iii. Fire extinguishers
iv. Pyrotechnics
v. Emergency oxygen equipment
vi. Supplementary electronic equipment

Dry Operating Mass (DOM)

The total mass of the aeroplane ready for a specific

type of operation excluding all usable fuel and
traffic load. The mass includes items such as:
i. Crew and crew baggage
ii. Catering and removable passenger
service equipment
iii. Potable water and lavatory chemicals
iv. Food and beverages

Operating Mass (OM)

The DOM plus fuel but without traffic load

Traffic Load

The total mass of:

i. Passengers
ii. Baggage
iii. Cargo
Including any non-revenue load

Zero Fuel Mass

The DOM plus traffic load but excluding fuel

Maximum Zero Fuel Mass (MZFM)

The maximum permissible mass of an aeroplane

with no usable fuel.

Taxi Mass

The mass of the aircraft at the start of the taxi (at

departure from the loading gate).

Maximum Structural Taxi Mass

The structural limitation on the mass of the

aeroplane at the commencement of taxi.

Take-Off Mass (TOM)

The mass of an aeroplane including everything and

everyone contained within it at the start of the takeoff run.

Performance Limited Take-Off Mass

The take-off mass subject to departure airfield

limitations. It must never exceed the maximum
structural limit.

Regulated TOM

The lowest of performance limited and structural

limited TOM.

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Flight Planning

Introduction to CAP 697

Chapter 2

Definition

Meaning

Maximum Structural Take-Off Mass

The maximum permissible total aeroplane mass at

the start of the take-off run.

Performance Limited Landing mass

The mass subject to the destination airfield

limitations. It must never exceed the structural limit.

Maximum Structural Landing Mass

The maximum permissible total aeroplane mass on

landing under normal circumstances.

Regulated Landing Mass

The lowest of performance limited and structural

limited landing mass.

Note: The term weight is considered as having the same meaning as the term mass.

CONVERSIONS
The following conversions are taken from the ICAO Annex, they also appear on page 3 of CAP
697.
Mass Conversion
Pounds (LB) to Kilograms (KG)

LB x 0.45359237 KG

Kilograms (KG) to Pounds (LB)

KG x 2.20462262 LB

Volumes (Liquid)
Imperial Gallons to Litres (L)

Imp Gall x 4.546092

US Gallons to Litres (L)

US Gall x 3.785412

Lengths
Feet (ft) to Metres (m)

Feet x 0.3048

Distances
Nautical Mile (NM) to metres (m)

Flight Planning

NM x 1852

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