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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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Operations · Jul 11, 2026 · 15 min

How Much Weight Can a Helicopter Lift? Capacity Tables from Light Twins to the Mi-26

US civil helicopters top out near 28,000 pounds on the hook; the Mi-26 lifts 44,000. The full capacity table, with the density altitude math behind every number.

Helicopter Lift Capacity Chinook S-64 Air Crane K-MAX Density Altitude Part 133

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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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