The heaviest part of a plane can vary depending on whether the plane is loaded or unloaded and the overall size of the aircraft.
According to the provided reference, here's a breakdown:
- For an unloaded modern aircraft, the engines are among the heaviest components.
- When the aircraft is loaded, most of the weight is attributed to fuel.
- However, in general, the fuselage is considered the heaviest single component of most airplanes.
- The definition of "heavy" in this context refers to larger aircraft types, specifically those with a Maximum Takeoff Weight of 160 tonnes or more.
Therefore, to summarize:
Component | Condition | Notes |
---|---|---|
Engines | Unloaded Aircraft | One of the heaviest components |
Fuel | Loaded Aircraft | Bulk of the weight |
Fuselage | Most Airplanes (General) | Heaviest single component in most airplanes overall. |