A sling-mass calculation does not establish hover capability
A fictional helicopter loading exercise gives a maximum mass of 2800 kilograms and a current aircraft-and-crew mass of 2200 kilograms, excluding fuel and the proposed external load. Fuel adds 180 kilograms. A contractor offers a 500 kilogram sling load and says that previous jobs used an apparently similar helicopter. The worksheet supplies no actual hook limit, longitudinal or lateral envelope, out-of-ground-effect performance chart, wind restriction, external-load approval or current landing-site assessment. The task asks for the mass-only calculation before any lifting decision is considered. A learner subtracts the fuel twice, while another treats the maximum-mass result as proof of hover capability. The instructor wants a calculation with explicit scope, not an invented Colombian operating limit or a practical external-load handling sequence.
1. Calculate the mass-only available load and compare the offer.
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Available mass is 2800 minus 2200 minus 180, or 420 kilograms. A 500 kilogram load would exceed the stated maximum by 80 kilograms before other constraints are assessed.
2. Would a 420 kilogram load be automatically suitable?
Read the worked answer
No. Maximum mass alone does not establish actual hook approval, balance, hover performance, site suitability or operating authorization. All relevant aircraft and current operational constraints require their own assessment.