The major source of weight change for most aircraft as they age is caused by?

• A. Newly added equipment.
• B. Repairs and alterations.
• C. Inflation of fuel costs.
• D. Frequent cleaning.

Answer: (B)

As aircraft age, the big driver of weight change is repairs and alterations. Over time, wear, corrosion, and fatigue lead to replacements and retrofits that add components, insulation, wiring, and upgraded equipment. These modifications often increase the empty weight or shift the center of gravity, and the effects accumulate as the airplane goes through successive maintenance cycles. While newly added equipment is part of those repairs and alterations, other options aren’t major long-term contributors: inflation of fuel costs is a monetary factor, not a physical weight change, and frequent cleaning removes only a small amount of dirt and grime compared with the weight added by replacements and upgrades.