Hearing the word ‘heavy’ from a pilot might cause some uneasiness in their passengers. No matter how seasoned you are to flying, knowing that the aircraft you’re being transported in high above the clouds is bound to make you feel a little worried.
The word ‘heavy’ simply means that the aircraft is larger and therefore heavier than smaller planes. It will have a takeoff weight of 160 tonnes or higher, and there will be a higher chance of turbulence thanks to the heavier and longer wings.
‘Heavy’ airplanes will need specific requirements, such as further distances between them and other aircraft, both in and out of the sky. So, a pilot will often refer to their plane as ‘heavy’ so that the ATC and other pilots know and are aware of these additional requirements.
However, if you hear a pilot referring to your plane as ‘heavy’, it is nothing to worry about. They will have had plenty of training with both small and large aircraft and how to fly them correctly. The only difference is the increased chance of turbulence, but they will attempt to avoid this as much as possible.