The aircraft are designed to take off where helicopters leave off, with vertical pick-up and delivery capability of over-size, fragile or bulky items up to 150,000 kg and, on a case by case basis, potentially more.

The business focuses on using an aerial crane to transport large self-contained accommodation modules but these aircraft may also be used to transport payloads of equipment, freight and other loads that are currently impossible to pick up and fly, and do it in an environmentally sustainable manner.

The general arrangement is as follows:



We have been careful to make the design of SkyLifter as simple and low-cost as possible to build and operate, but without compromising performance or safety.

The design brings together many systems already proven and in use in industry. We have adapted them to our requirements and added some of our own innovations. The result is shorter development time, less cost and less project risk.

For example, three key features of the design are:
1. the symmetrical discus (lenticular) aerostat (balloon) which removes the need for SkyLifter to turn to face into wind and greatly simplifies payload handling.
2. the even distribution of payload via the suspension lines which removes the need to build heavy and complex internal support structures.
3. the propulsion and directional control is provided by several cycloidal propeller systems, providing almost instant vectored thrust in the horizontal and vertical planes. The system also provides additional active automated stability control.

The vertical tube one sees connecting the aerostat and the pod is simply a flexible two-way service trunk for personnel and systems.

The design is quite different from what one may have seen before. Its simplicity-of-form may seem obvious now but it has taken many years of hard work and investment to create this overall package that delivers a practical and cost-effective turn-key solution.

By the way, if there are any thoughts about copying the design and building it without our input, we advise that there are numerous critical design features not mentioned here. One would therefore find it cheaper, easier and quicker to involve us. We are interested to talk with people who wish to work and develop with us.

SkyLifter is a buoyant aircraft using established lighter-than-air (LTA) principles to vertically raise and set down payloads - nearly anything, to/from anywhere.

The three primary benefits of large LTA aircraft are:
1. vertical lift of heavy or large payloads - potentially a thousand tonnes.
2. flight duration - potentially days not hours.
3. environment friendly - low emissions per tonne/km.

This SkyLifter payload capability of upto 150 tonnes provides over 15 times the lifting capacity of an S-64 Skycrane helicopter, but without the windy downdraft or noise.

The long flight duration of 24 hours ensures a good distance range but also adds flexibility to logistics. For instance the aircraft can loiter over a ground location for long periods using minimal energy.

SkyLifter is a piloted, dirigible gas balloon system, with a lenticular aerostat for reduced aerodynamic drag (when compared to a spherical aerostat). The aircraft has omni-directional capability (there is no front or back) and a control pod is suspended low below the aerostat incorporating the habitable areas and main aircraft systems.

It is intended to serve as a point to point transport vehicle for over-sized, heavy, fragile or indivisible payloads over short/mid haul routes in the lower atmosphere.

It can also be configured for long haul, overseas, long duration and high altitude (stratospheric) applications.

SkyLifters will offer industry a whole new level of logistics capability and operational flexibility.

SkyLifters are not designed to fly as fast as jets and rotor-craft. Its primary function is the unique heavy-airlift capability; vertical crane lift for pick-up and precise delivery of anything, anywhere!

At 80km/h SkyLifter may only have the speed of a truck but it can take a payload directly from A to D, bypassing handling and hand-off points at B and C - direct from a manufacturer's site to the final delivery site. So the total transit time may indeed be similar to an air-cargo jet and with reduced overall costs.
This performance is unmatched!

SkyLifter performance goals:

• Able to pick up or set down a payload of 150 tonnes directly with vertical lift (as a crane) essentially unaided, without landing
• Free flight operation for periods typically not less than 24 hours
• Cruise airspeed 45knots (83 km/h)
• Therefore normal range of operation at least 2000km (no wind)
• Positions for 2 pilots, although single pilot operable
• Able to operate in confined spaces (minimum circle 3x SkyLifter diameter)
• Able to takeoff and land at its operational site without complex ground infrastructure
• Able to transit directly without external assistance
• Able to withstand storm conditions whilst moored under gusting winds of 80knots (148 km/h)
• Able to be assembled, inflated, setup and maintained at an operating site without a hangar
• Environment-friendly and able to operate in most environments (hot/cold, wet/dry)

One may have searched this website for SkyLifter specification detail. One may be looking for information regarding:

• buoyancy management systems
• flight characteristics
• aerodynamic stress models
• performance specifications
• operating costs
• propulsion & fuel statistics
• load exchange procedures

Information is available confidentially to investors and customers but it is commercially sensitive data so we cannot publish it at this stage of development.

We understand there is a keen and active community of aviation enthusiasts who would dearly like to examine the SkyLifter's details. We will publish as soon as we can.