Sikorsky S-55, S-58 and H-34: The Family Behind the S-58T
The S-55 led to the larger S-58 and military H-34 family. The turbine S-58T still appears in lift fleets, with payload limits tied to the aircraft and job.
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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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How Many Loads Can a Helicopter Lift per Hour?
Helicopter loads per hour depend on complete cycle time and usable work minutes. Compare published HVAC cases with clearly labeled planning calculations.
Rooftop HVAC Helicopter Lift Checklist: Before the Aircraft Arrives
A rooftop HVAC helicopter lift checklist covering unit weights, handling instructions and curb readiness, with site protection and day-of briefing checks.
Helicopter Lift Contract Terms Contractors Should Understand
Helicopter lift contracts define minimum hours, ferry charges and delay costs. Compare billing terms and document changes before committing to a lift date.
Weather Delays and No-Go Decisions on Helicopter Lifts
Helicopter lifts stop for visibility, wind, heat and storms. The pilot decides under 14 CFR 91.3, and a hot afternoon can cost about 960 lb of hook capacity.
Rotor Wash Safety for Construction Sites
OSHA requires loose gear within 100 ft of helicopter lift points to be secured, yet outwash from a 12.6 t helicopter stays near 34 mph almost 200 ft out.
When a Ground Crane Is the Better Choice
A crane wins when a pick exceeds the 28,000 lb civil helicopter ceiling, must be held while it is bolted, goes under cover, or sits beside open, firm ground.
Who Is Responsible for What During a Helicopter Lift
OSHA 1926.551(h) puts load size, weight and connection on the helicopter operator. The pilot in command has final authority. The rest is contract.
Load Spin, Swing, and Bounce: Controlling a Suspended Load in Flight
A slung load swings, spins, and bounces, and each has its own driver and its own fix. Line length, drogues and fins, and collective grip are the controls.
Night External-Load Operations: Flying a Lift After Dark
Part 133 never mentions night. A lift after dark runs on the same certificate, and what changes comes from Part 91 minimums, pilot recency, and OSHA lighting.
Helicopter Tower Construction: A Planning Guide
A tower flies only if it was designed to. The practical civil ceiling is near 20,000 lb per pick, which decides guyed versus self-supporting in design.
How a Helicopter Lift Is Planned: From Site Survey to Load Sign-Off
A helicopter lift is won in the planning. The full pre-lift process, from site survey and load engineering to the FAA-reviewed lift plan and load sign-off.
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