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Heavy Lift Analyses, Cost Tables, and Regulatory Explainers

Load charts, cost anatomy, and regulatory explainers for the estimators, engineers, and project managers who plan heavy lift work. Figures are verified and regulations are cited, so the numbers hold up when you take them into a bid.

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Aircraft · Sep 1, 2026 · 11 min

Boeing CH-47 Chinook: The Civil Heavy-Lift Profile

Two Chinooks fly US civil work: Columbia's standard-category Model 234 at 25,000 lbs and restricted CH-47D conversions at 28,000 lbs. Specs, hooks and rules.

CH-47 Chinook Aircraft Profiles Tandem Rotor Restricted Category External Load Columbia Helicopters

Aircraft · Aug 18, 2026 · 10 min

Kaman K-MAX K-1200: The Helicopter Built Only to Lift

The Kaman K-1200 K-MAX lifts 6,000 pounds on 85 gallons an hour and seats one. Full specifications, the payload-by-altitude curve, and why only 60 were built.

Kaman K-MAX Aircraft Profiles Intermeshing Rotors External Load Heli-Logging Density Altitude

Aircraft · Jul 19, 2026 · 9 min

Bell 214B Big Lifter: The Single-Engine Heavyweight and Its Fifty-Year Career

The Bell 214B Big Lifter put 2,930 shp behind a Huey airframe for 8,000 lb of lift. Development history, specifications, and where the 70 production aircraft work.

Bell 214B Big Lifter Aircraft Profiles Heavy Lift Helicopters Lycoming LTC4B External Load

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Part 133 (12) External Load (8) Density Altitude (6) External Load Operations (6) Lift Planning (6) Rigging (4) Aircraft Profiles (3) Aircraft Selection (2) Chinook (2) Congested Area Plan (2) Crane Comparison (2) Crane vs Helicopter (2)

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