Payload
Weight, dimensions, centre of gravity, fragility, securing method and release requirements.
Start With What Must Be Lifted
The payload defines the aircraft, attachment method and operating plan.
A compact LiDAR sensor, a crate of tools and a suspended utility component may have similar weights but require completely different aircraft, mounting systems, route controls and ground procedures.
Cargo Box Delivery
Protect tools, medical supplies, samples, parts and other contained loads during point-to-point transport.
Explore Cargo DeliveryWinch Operations
Lower and recover loads where landing is unsafe or impossible, while maintaining controlled vertical separation.
Discuss the MissionSling & External Loads
Carry awkward or oversized material beneath the aircraft using an engineered hook, sling and load-control procedure.
Review IntegrationIntegrated Sensors
Lift LiDAR, high-resolution cameras, gas sensors, radar or scientific payloads that exceed compact aircraft limits.
Explore LiDARIndustrial Tools
Deploy specialty equipment, cable, rope, communications hardware or other mission-specific tools.
Plan a Custom SystemRemote Worksite Supply
Support forestry, utilities, construction, mining, emergency response and isolated field teams.
Explore Remote LogisticsHeavy-Lift Platform Families
From specialty sensor carriers to 200 kg-class cargo aircraft.
Payload figures represent manufacturer maximums under defined configurations or test conditions. Actual mission capacity must include batteries, mounting hardware, cargo equipment, reserves, altitude, temperature, wind and the required route.
DJI Delivery
DJI FlyCart 30
A foldable industrial delivery platform built for cargo and winch operations, supporting up to 30 kg in dual-battery mode and 40 kg in single-battery configuration.
- Cargo / Winch
- Remote Delivery
- DeliveryHub
DJI Delivery
DJI FlyCart 100
DJI’s next-generation heavy cargo platform supports up to 85 kg in dual-battery mode and up to 100 kg in a single-battery configuration.
- 100 kg Payload
- Flagship Winch
- Parachute System
DJI Delivery
DJI FlyCart 200
DJI’s ultra-heavy delivery platform supports a 200 kg single-aircraft payload and coordinated multi-aircraft lifting for larger industrial cargo missions.
- 200 kg Payload
- Coordinated Lift
- DL200 Hoist
Freefly Systems
Alta X Gen2
A folding heavy-lift aircraft designed for LiDAR, cinema systems, large sensors and custom payload integration, with a 15.1 kg maximum payload.
- 15.1 kg Payload
- Open Integration
- Portable Platform
Inspired Flight
IF1200
An American-built hexacopter designed for LiDAR, EO/IR, survey and advanced industrial payloads, with a listed maximum payload of 19.1 lb.
- 19.1 lb Payload
- LiDAR / EO-IR
- U.S.-Built
Aurelia Aerospace
Aurelia X6 MAX
A configurable six-rotor platform with up to 6 kg payload capacity, open-source flight controls and a spacious bay for custom integrations.
- 6 kg Payload
- Open Architecture
- Hexacopter
FlyingBasket
FlyingBasket FB3
A European industrial cargo aircraft designed to transport up to 100 kg using sling or cargo-box configurations for demanding logistics operations.
- 100 kg Payload
- Sling / Cargo Box
- Industrial Logistics
Harris Aerial
Carrier H6HL
A U.S.-made foldable heavy-lift hexacopter supporting up to 40 kg through a universal quick-release interface for industrial and scientific payloads.
- 40 kg Payload
- Quick-Release
- Power / Data
The maximum payload is not the working payload for every mission.
Usable capacity changes with battery configuration, mounting equipment, altitude, temperature, wind, route distance, required reserves and the operating approval.
Choose the Load Method
How the payload is attached can matter as much as how much it weighs.
The load method changes aircraft behaviour, crew responsibilities, ground-zone controls and the type of release or recovery process required.
Fixed Integrated Payload
Best for sensors and mission equipment that must remain rigidly mounted, powered and connected to the aircraft.
Contained Cargo
Protects smaller items and simplifies handling, but the container and attachment hardware consume payload capacity.
Winch Delivery
Allows placement without landing and can support controlled lowering, recovery and touchdown release.
Sling or External Load
Supports larger or awkward loads but introduces load swing, clearance, hook, rigging and ground-control requirements.
Design the load workflow before selecting the aircraft.Define how the payload is prepared, secured, lifted, monitored, delivered, released and recovered at both ends of the route.
Heavy-Lift Decision Guide
Match the platform family to the operating problem.
The platform should be selected after the working payload, route, environment, load method and approval pathway are understood.
| Operational Need | Typical Payload | Platform Direction | Questions to Confirm |
|---|---|---|---|
| Specialty Sensor Integration | LiDAR, radar, high-resolution camera, gas sensor or scientific instrument | Open modular aircraft such as Alta X Gen2, IF1200, Aurelia X6 MAX or Carrier H6HL | Payload weight, power, data interface, vibration, mounting, centre of gravity and deliverable |
| Remote Worksite Resupply | Tools, PPE, food, parts, batteries and small equipment | FlyCart 30 or another medium cargo platform | Route length, landing access, winch need, turnaround, weather and crew at each end |
| High-Capacity Industrial Logistics | Utility components, construction material, telecom hardware or heavy equipment | FlyCart 100, FlyCart 200 or FlyingBasket FB3 class | Actual working payload, operating weight, route, site control, approvals and transport logistics |
| External or Awkward Loads | Cable, rope, long components, suspended equipment or custom rigging | Aircraft with engineered hook, sling or winch integration | Swing control, rigging certification, hook release, clearance, emergency jettison and ground zones |
| Repeated A-B Delivery | Standardized cargo moving between known sites | Delivery ecosystem with route management and fleet workflow | Volume, frequency, battery cycle, alternate sites, communications and operating economics |
From Payload to Deployment
Heavy lift needs a complete operating system—not only an aircraft.
A structured process helps expose payload, route, crew, infrastructure and approval issues before equipment is purchased.
Payload Definition
Record the working weight, dimensions, centre of gravity, sensitivity and handling requirements.
Route Assessment
Review distance, elevation, weather, obstacles, communications, launch areas and alternates.
System Selection
Compare aircraft, load hardware, batteries, charging, software, transport and support.
Operational Validation
Complete testing, documentation, procedures, crew preparation and regulatory work.
Deployment & Support
Configure, train, maintain, monitor performance and expand the program as requirements grow.
Plan the Canadian Operating Path Early
Aircraft weight, payload and mission complexity affect the approval pathway.
Heavy-lift operations may involve medium or large RPAS, complex site controls, external loads, cargo transport, BVLOS or operations beyond standard privileges. Confirm the current Transport Canada category, aircraft declaration status, pilot and operator requirements, airspace permissions and whether an SFOC-RPAS is required before committing to a system.
- Operating weight and RPAS category
- Pilot and operator certification
- Aircraft declaration or authorization status
- Airspace and site permissions
- External-load and cargo procedures
- SFOC-RPAS or complex-operation planning
Frequently Asked Questions
Key questions before purchasing a heavy-lift platform.
How much payload can a heavy-lift drone actually carry?
The working payload depends on the exact aircraft and battery configuration, mounting or cargo hardware, altitude, temperature, wind, route distance and reserve requirement. The manufacturer’s maximum is not automatically the usable payload for every mission.
What is the difference between a heavy-lift sensor drone and a cargo drone?
A sensor carrier is optimized to rigidly mount, power and communicate with imaging or scientific equipment. A cargo drone is designed around moving and releasing loads through a box, winch, hook or sling workflow.
Can a heavy-lift drone replace a helicopter?
For some repeatable loads and remote routes, a drone can reduce mobilization, crew exposure and cost. It does not replace a helicopter in every payload, range, weather or regulatory scenario. A route and economics study is needed.
Do heavy-lift drones require special approval in Canada?
Possibly. The requirements depend on operating weight, airspace, aircraft status, mission type and whether the operation fits within Advanced or Level 1 Complex privileges. Operations outside those privileges may require an SFOC-RPAS.
Can Unmanned Canada help with custom payload integration?
Yes. The review can include payload weight and dimensions, mounting, power, data connections, centre of gravity, vibration, operating workflow, testing, training and support planning.
Is the DJI FlyCart 200 available in Canada?
The FlyCart 200 has been announced by DJI in China. Canadian availability, supported configurations, pricing, service coverage and regulatory suitability should be confirmed before it is quoted or included in a deployment plan.
Can we test a platform before purchasing?
Depending on platform availability and the project, a demonstration, rental, payload-fit review or structured proof of concept may be used before full deployment.
