On February 1, 2025, Fair Lifts successfully executed a challenging drill rig heavy-lift and crew transport operation on Conn Island in the Potomac River, Maryland, enabling geotechnical firm 7NT to conduct critical subsurface investigations in an otherwise inaccessible location. The project highlighted our team’s ability to transform logistical obstacles into seamless aerial solutions.
The Challenge: A Site With No Traditional Access
Aerial View of the Potomac River
Conn Island—a rugged, boulder-strewn landmass in the middle of the Potomac River—presented a unique challenge: no roads, no barging options, and no practical way to transport heavy equipment. The terrain was defined by:
- Large surface boulders
- Unstable soil conditions
- Dense vegetation
- Limited hover space for aircraft operations
Transporting a 17,000-pound drill rig under these conditions required advanced aerial coordination and constant communication between ground crews and pilots.
7NT, a leading geotechnical engineering firm specializing in complex drilling and testing, turned to Fair Lifts for a helicopter-supported solution.
Strategic Execution: A Multi-Day Aerial Operation
Map of the Project Site
The mission required:
- Daily transport of a 17,000-pound drill rig, tools, and a four-person crew
- Precise placement at multiple borehole locations across uneven, rocky terrain
- Subsurface drilling, sampling, and geotechnical analysis
Originally planned for five days, the operation extended to seven due to the island’s extreme conditions—tight maneuvering space, dense vegetation, and 600-foot intervals between boreholes.
The Helicopter Solution: S-64 Skycrane & MD-500
An MD 500, the helicopter utilized for crew transport | Photo: mdhelicopters.com
Two helicopters ensured mission success:
- Sikorsky S-64E Skycrane: Lifted the massive drill rig with precision, navigating narrow, boulder-strewn landing zones.
- MD-500: Efficiently shuttled crew members, maintaining productivity despite confined airspace.
This dual-aircraft approach allowed for a seamless workflow, with daily adjustments for terrain challenges.
Overcoming Conn Island’s Obstacles
The site’s hurdles included:
- No staging areas – Limited space for equipment placement
- Unstable terrain – Rocky, uneven ground with dense vegetation
- River hazards – Proximity to flowing water increased operational complexity
Pre-rigging equipment and real-time pilot-ground crew coordination were critical to safety and efficiency.
Why Helicopters Were the Only Viable Option
A Sikorsky S-64E, the helicopter utilized for the drill rig heavy-lift | Photo: sillerhelicopters.com
Without helicopter support, this project would have been impossible—alternative methods (barges, land routes) were impractical and cost-prohibitive. Fair Lifts’ expertise saved 7NT weeks of time and significant expenses.
7NT’s Verdict: “No One Else Could Have Done This”
The 7NT team praised the operation, noting that helicopter lifts are now a key part of their strategy for remote projects.
“This was a job no one else wanted to touch,” said a 7NT project lead. “With Fair Lifts, we not only got it done—we got it done right.”
Witness an incredible aerial heavy-lift operation!
This video showcases how our team utilized two specialized helicopters—the Sikorsky S-64E Skycrane (for the 17,000-pound drill rig) and the MD-500 (for crew transport)—to overcome extreme terrain and complete a critical geotechnical investigation.
Your Partner for Remote Drill Rig Heavy-lift & Crew Transport
From river islands to mountain ridges, Fair Lifts delivers scalable, safe aerial solutions for geotechnical, construction, and utility projects. Our expertise in heavy-lift logistics ensures success where others see roadblocks.
Interested in a helicopter lift for your next geotechnical or drilling project? Contact Fair Lifts today or call Mauricio McGarity directly at (470) 433-0430. We are ready to provide customized lift solutions that meet your unique needs.