Helicopters come in numerous weight categories and can accommodate a variety of tasks, from delivering heavy objects to remote construction sites, to carrying water during the fire season. In most cases, the bigger the aircraft, the heavier it will be. However, a heavier aircraft will need a more powerful propulsion system to generate and maintain lift. Due to the flight characteristics of the aircraft, one would think that they must be pretty light. However, depending on the configuration, they may be quite heavy.
So, how much does a helicopter weigh? A helicopter can weigh as little as 298 pounds (135 kg), up to as much as 33,230 pounds (15,070 kg), in empty weight. The weight of a helicopter varies by the type, model, and primary use intended for the aircraft.
Here is a table showing the weight of various helicopter models:
| Helicopter Model | Weight (Empty) | |
| Mosquito XE | 298 pounds (135 kg) | |
| Robinson R22 (Lightest Commercial Helicopter) | 879.6 pounds (399 kg) | |
| Robinson R44 | 1,450 pounds (658 kg) | |
| Bell 206 jet ranger | 1,609 pounds (730 kg) | |
| Bell 47 | 1,890 pounds (858 kg) | |
| MD Helicopters MD Explorer | 3375 pounds (1,531 kg) | |
| Sikorsky uh-60 black hawk | 11,500 pounds (5200 kg) | |
| Sikorsky CH-53 Super Stallion (Heaviest Helicopter) | 33,230 pounds (15,070 kg) |
In this article, we are going to look closer at some of the heaviest as well as lightest helicopters in the world. You will also learn more about the dangers associated with overloading, and how much a helicopter can lift!
Let’s start!
Table of Contents
Empty Weight VS Gross Weight
The weight of the helicopter is made up of all the components, such as rotor blades, gearboxes, electronics, and airframe.
The helicopter weight without fuel is known as the empty weight.
However, the maximum gross weight is the actual payload of what the helicopter can carry, including fuel, passengers, and equipment.
The CH53K Super Stallion: The Heaviest Helicopter In the World
The CH53K Super Stallion is the largest and heaviest helicopter in the military’s fleet of choppers. It weighs 33,230 pounds without fuel and has a maximum lifting capacity of 14.5 tons. It is the military’s go-to heavy lifter on the battlefield, capable of lifting an M1- Abrams tank while flying at 182 Knots Per Hour (KPH).
Although the Super Stallion’s attributes are quite impressive, it is not the biggest or heaviest aircraft in the world. The Russian made MIL V-12 “Homer” is the largest helicopter ever produced.
The concept was first implemented in 1967, and the first prototype successfully made its first flight on July 10, 1968.
The V-12 has a powerful tandem rotor system that spans 115 feet in diameter. The dual rotor system eliminates the need for a tail rotor while provided extra lifting power from a second functional rotor blade.
The V-12 prototype would go on to set 6 world records for its ability to carry a heavy payload. On August 6, 1969, the aircraft set a world record for lifting a maximum payload of 88,635 pounds at 2000 Above Ground Level (AGL), which has not been broken as of June 2020.
All development for the “Homer” stopped in 1971 because the Soviet Airforce would not accept the helicopter. Its intended mission no longer existed, the rapid deployment of ballistic missiles.
Mosquito XE: The Lightest Helicopter In the World
In contrast, the lightest helicopter in the world happens to also be the smallest as well. The Mosquito XE is a single-seater ultra-light helicopter that weighs 298 pounds empty with a gross weight of 610 pounds and is 16 feet long. Due to the aircraft’s lifting capacity, it is only able to carry one person and has a maximum cruising speed of 80 MPH.
The Robinson R22, the lightest commercial helicopter, weighs 879.6 pounds empty and has a lifting capacity of 1370 lbs.
Helicopter Weight limitations
All aircraft, whether fixed-wing or rotorcraft, all have weight limitations. To safely take off and land, the helicopter must be capable of meeting the weight limitations set by the manufacturer.
All aircraft are required by the FAA to follow weight and balance recommendations to ensure flight safety. It is the pilots’ responsibility to ensure that the aircraft meets Weight and Balance safety requirements before departing.
The Effects of Weight
Any object that is added to the aircraft will affect the overall weight of the airframe, but also affect the center of gravity.
The heavier load that is added to the airframe will require a longer take-off and landing at faster speeds. Excess weight will also reduce the rate of climb, maximum altitude, and decrease the flight range due to higher fuel consumption.
What Happens if a Helicopter is Overweight?
There could be catastrophic implications if a helicopter tries to take off while exceeding its maximum gross weight. Adherence to the weight and balance limitations of an aircraft is crucial to flight safety. If a pilot operates the helicopter above the maximum weight limit, it could compromise the structural integrity of the helicopter and adversely affect its performance.
According to the Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge, the weight and balance considerations of a helicopter are far more critical than that of a fixed-wing aircraft. When an aircraft operates outside of its designated center of gravity (CG) limited, it makes the aircraft more difficult to control, which increases the likelihood of a crash.
Some helicopters are approved for a specific maximum gross weight. However, it may not be safe to operate at max capacity during certain conditions. Factors such as high-density altitude (the decreased density of air at high altitudes) decrease the maximum safe weight as it affects the flight characteristics of the aircraft.
It could be challenging to take off, land, or engage in an autorotation during and emergency. Excessive weight significantly reduces the safety margins available and, combined with other performance-reducing factors, makes piloting an overweight aircraft more hazardous.
How Much Weight Can a Helicopter Lift?
A helicopter’s gross weight will differ for each airframe. To determine the maximum lifting capacity of the helicopter, the empty weight of the aircraft subtracted from the maximum gross weight.
This leaves you with a useful load, which is the amount that the helicopter can lift. The useful capacity is usually reduced by the weight of the pilot and the fuel weight to improve accuracy.
However, to answer the question most helicopters can lift anything from 1000 – 6000 pounds. In contrast, the world’s largest helicopter, the CH53K Super Stallion, is capable of lifting a whopping 33,000 pounds (15 tons). Still, that’s below the capability of the MI-26, which is capable of lifting 44,000 pounds (20 tons)!
Are you Weighed Before a Helicopter Ride?
In general, you are not required to be weight before a helicopter flight. Most Helicopters have a high enough maximum gross weight to accommodate the flight crew and fuel without disturbing the pilot’s ability to control the aircraft.
However, in some cases, you maybe need to have a rough estimate of your weight if you are wanting to fly a lighter helicopter. For example, Robinson R-22 has a maximum grow the weight of 1370 lbs. With fuel, equipment, and two full-sized adults, the load can quickly add up to the aircraft max payload.
Technical Weight and Balance Considerations
The manufacturer sets the recommended Weight Balance specifications of each aircraft. To determine the empty weight of the helicopter, the aircraft is weighed on a scale. Then its distance from the datum is recorded to calculate the moment at each point.
The moment is then divided by the total weight to determine the location of the Center of Gravity (CG).
Center of Gravity
The Center of Gravity (CG) is the point of the aircraft where it would balance if suspended for a single location. The Center of Gravity (GG) affects the stability of the helicopter, and to ensure that the CG is safe for flight, it must fall within the specifications set by the manufacturer.
Datum
The datum is an imaginary reference with a vertical plane in which the horizontal distance is measured to determine weight and balance. It is determined by the manufacturer and is considered the “0” point when trying to determine the Center of Gravity (CG).
Moment
The moment is the force of an object’s weight acting against the datum reference. The moment is also referred to as the helicopter’s pivot point, and it is quantified by multiplying the mass of an object by its arm.
Arm
The (CG) arm is the horizontal distance from the datum to the (CG) of an item. It is calculated by adding the helicopter’s individual moment by dividing the sum by the total weight of the aircraft.
Stations
Stations are reference locations that are located alongside the aircraft and are used to reference the distance from the datum.
Summary
Helicopters come in different shapes and sizes, and the overall weight plays a huge factor in the overall performance of the helicopter. It is critical to the safety fo the aircraft and crew that the pilot maintains the proper weight and balance specified by the manufacturer. The forces of weight in flight directly affect the airframe’s integrity and excess wear on components. Flying and overloaded aircraft will significantly increase your chances of an accident if the aircraft is flown out of balance.
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