In aircraft design and aviation, the Dry Operating Weight (DOW) represents the weight of the aircraft in a completely operational state but without any usable fuel on board. It includes the structural weight of the aircraft, standard equipment, furnishings, and other operational items, but excludes the weight of passengers, cargo, and operational fluids. Here’s the formula, definition, and SI unit for Dry Operating Weight:
Dry Operating Weight Formula: The formula for calculating the Dry Operating Weight (DOW) is the sum of the structural weight of the aircraft, standard equipment weight, furnishings weight, and other operational items weight:
- DOW: Dry Operating Weight, measured in kilograms (kg) or pounds (lbs), depending on regional conventions.
- Structural Weight: The weight of the aircraft’s structure, including the airframe, engines, landing gear, and other essential components, measured in kilograms (kg) or pounds (lbs).
- Standard Equipment Weight: The weight of standard equipment installed on the aircraft for operational purposes, measured in kilograms (kg) or pounds (lbs).
- Furnishings Weight: The weight of furnishings and interior components, such as seats, galleys, and lavatories, measured in kilograms (kg) or pounds (lbs).
- Other Operational Items Weight: The weight of other operational items required for aircraft operation, excluding payload, operational fluids, and usable fuel, measured in kilograms (kg) or pounds (lbs).