What is the Maximum Landing Weight (MLW)?

• A. 149,800 lbs
• B. 189,200 lbs
• C. 189,700 lbs
• D. 141,800 lbs

Answer: (A)

Maximum Landing Weight is the heaviest weight the airplane is certified to safely withstand on touchdown. This limit is set based on the structural loads the landing gear, tires, brakes, and overall airframe can absorb during landing, plus the ability to stop safely within typical runway lengths and conditions. It remains lower than the maximum takeoff weight to ensure there’s a safety margin for the intense loads of landing, gusts, and braking.

For this aircraft, the published MLW is 149,800 pounds. Keeping the landing weight at or below this value ensures the tires, gear assemblies, and braking system operate within their certified limits and that stopping performance stays within expected margins. If the airplane arrives on approach heavier than MLW, fuel must be burned off or other measures taken so that landing occurs at or below this limit.

The other listed values would either exceed the certified landing-load capability or fall well below what is required for normal landing operations, which is why they are not the MLW.