An HVAC helicopter lift in Oakdale, CA, brought a Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk to a commercial facility on Sconza Candy Lane, where Fair Lifts provided a specialized aerial lifting solution for Americore. With equipment weighing up to 6,500 pounds and conventional crane access deemed impractical, the project required careful planning, a capable aircraft, and a fast turnaround.
Fair Lifts moved the project from the initial request to execution in just 20 days, delivering a lifting solution that met Americore’s requirements and earned positive feedback for the team’s responsiveness.
A 6,500-Pound HVAC Challenge Beyond Ground Crane Access
Heavy HVAC equipment was prepared for aerial lifting at Americore’s Oakdale facility, where equipment weights ranged from 3,000 to 6,500 pounds.
Americore needed to raise heavy HVAC equipment at its Oakdale facility, with individual unit weights ranging from 3,000 to 6,500 pounds and provisions for handling up to three units. Conventional ground crane access was not feasible, requiring an alternative approach to equipment placement.
With ground crane access impractical, helicopter lifting provided an alternative for positioning heavy HVAC equipment on the facility’s rooftop.
Fair Lifts evaluated the load requirements, available staging space, and site conditions to develop a practical lifting strategy. A helicopter offered the ability to transport equipment directly to the rooftop as an external suspended load, without requiring equipment disassembly.
Fair Lifts Develops a Black Hawk Lifting Solution
A Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk provided the external lifting capability needed for Americore’s heavy HVAC installation.
Fair Lifts developed a project-specific lifting plan centered on a Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk, a twin-engine utility helicopter capable of carrying substantial external loads. The aircraft’s lifting capabilities made it suitable for the project’s heavy HVAC equipment, subject to operating conditions and aircraft limitations.
With a compressed schedule, the team focused on several essential planning requirements:
- Load assessment: Evaluating equipment weights, dimensions, and lifting requirements.
- Aircraft selection: Matching lifting capabilities to the project’s demands.
- Site preparation: Establishing the parking lot staging area and equipment placement plan.
- Safety planning: Preparing site restrictions, facility evacuation, and communication procedures.
Mike Rosa played an important role in advancing the project, helping Fair Lifts maintain the accelerated schedule while preparing the resources needed for execution.
Executing the Lift With a Fully Evacuated Facility
The Black Hawk carried out the aerial lifting operation with the facility fully evacuated and site access restricted for safety.
Operating the Black Hawk required strict site safety measures, including a complete evacuation of the facility. No personnel remained inside the building during the helicopter lifting operation, ensuring the occupied areas were cleared before aerial work began.
With the facility evacuated and the lifting area secured, the Black Hawk performed the scheduled operation. The designated parking lot served as the equipment staging area, while the helicopter transported the HVAC load toward its rooftop placement location.
The operation demonstrated how detailed preparation, appropriate aircraft selection, and site safety measures can support heavy equipment installation where conventional lifting methods are impractical.
20 Days From Request to Results
Black Hawk helicopter positioning heavy HVAC equipment on Americore’s rooftop in Oakdale, California.
Following the completed lift, Americore expressed strong satisfaction with the project, particularly Fair Lifts’ quick turnaround from initial request to execution.
The project demonstrated the value of responsive planning and specialized helicopter lifting services when contractors face demanding equipment requirements and limited access. Fair Lifts helped Americore move forward with a practical lifting solution while addressing the operational and safety requirements of the site.
The operation was also documented through photographs taken by Joelle, capturing the Black Hawk and the project team at the Oakdale facility.
Planning a Heavy HVAC Lift or Difficult-Access Installation?
The project teams at the Oakdale facility following a successful heavy HVAC helicopter lifting operation.
Fair Lifts provides HVAC helicopter lifting services backed by project assessment, aircraft evaluation, and operational planning throughout California and nationwide.
Call Jenessa Mercer at (951) 588-5887 to discuss your project with an experienced heavy lift helicopter project manager, or contact us to request a free, no-obligation project consultation.