What is the purpose of weight restrictions in load planning?

The purpose of weight restrictions in load planning is fundamentally to maintain safety and compliance with regulations. Weight limits are established to ensure that an aircraft operates within its designed structural capacities, which is necessary to prevent overloading that could lead to structural failure during flight or landing.

Exceeding weight limits can adversely affect the aircraft's performance, including its flying characteristics, fuel efficiency, and the ability to take off and land safely. Regulatory bodies like the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) enforce these restrictions to protect passengers, crew, and the aircraft itself during operations. Adhering to these weight regulations also assures compliance with international aviation safety standards, further emphasizing their critical role in air transport safety.

While considerations such as passenger comfort, cargo capacity, and efficient loading procedures may have some relevance in load planning, they are secondary to the primary focus of safety and regulatory compliance.