HELIKITES
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SKYHOOK HELIKITE AEROSTATS
These are the backbone of the Helikite aerostat range and can fly in almost all weathers. They are designed to lift considerable payloads to higher altitudes than is possible with other similar sized aerostats.
Skyhook Helikites are classified according to how many cubic metres (cu m) of helium they hold. As a rule, at standard temperature and pressure, a Skyhook Helikite aerostat can carry about a kilo of payload for every two cubic metres of helium capacity. The weight of the required length of line must be taken into account.
Prices indicated are for standard Skyhook Helikites. Customised Skyhook Helikites to exact requirements are available at extra cost. Skyhook Helikite aerostats can fly in almost all weathers and have many unique features.
Unique Features
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Excellent helium volume/lift ratio due to their rounded balloon shape.
-
Powerful aerodynamic uplift for extra performance.
-
No kite/blimp -fin adjustment required. Simply slide in the spar, fill with helium and fly.
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Unrivalled stability in high winds - especially good for directional aerials, cameras & video.
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Few gas expansion/contraction problems due to their rounded balloon of flexible material.
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Numerous stable attachment points for cargo.
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Excellent ground handling system - even the largest Skyhook Helikite only needs one or two operators in any weather.
Skyhook
45
Cubic Metres
Material Thickness
Lift in No Wind (kg)
Lift in 15mph Wind (kg)
Max Wind Speed (mph)
Max Unloaded Alt (ft)
Length (ft)
Width (ft)
6
20
40
40
7500*
24
18
Skyhook
34
Cubic Metres
Material Thickness
Lift in No Wind (kg)
Lift in 15mph Wind (kg)
Max Wind Speed (mph)
Max Unloaded Alt (ft)
Length (ft)
Width (ft)
6
14
30
40
7000*
22
15
Skyhook
25
Cubic Metres
Material Thickness
Lift in No Wind (kg)
Lift in 15mph Wind (kg)
Max Wind Speed (mph)
Max Unloaded Alt (ft)
Length (ft)
Width (ft)
4
13
25
40
8000*
20
13
Skyhook
21
Cubic Metres
Material Thickness
Lift in No Wind (kg)
Lift in 15mph Wind (kg)
Max Wind Speed (mph)
Max Unloaded Alt (ft)
Length (ft)
Width (ft)
3.5
10
20
40
7500*
16
11
Skyhook
16
Cubic Metres
Material Thickness
Lift in No Wind (kg)
Lift in 15mph Wind (kg)
Max Wind Speed (mph)
Max Unloaded Alt (ft)
Length (ft)
Width (ft)
3.5
8
16
40
7000*
13
10
Skyhook
11
Cubic Metres
Material Thickness
Lift in No Wind (kg)
Lift in 15mph Wind (kg)
Max Wind Speed (mph)
Max Unloaded Alt (ft)
Length (ft)
Width (ft)
3.5
5.5
12
40
6000*
12
9.5
Skyhook
9
Cubic Metres
Material Thickness
Lift in No Wind (kg)
Lift in 15mph Wind (kg)
Max Wind Speed (mph)
Max Unloaded Alt (ft)
Length (ft)
Width (ft)
3.5
4
10
42
5800*
11.7
9
Skyhook
7
Cubic Metres
Material Thickness
Lift in No Wind (kg)
Lift in 15mph Wind (kg)
Max Wind Speed (mph)
Max Unloaded Alt (ft)
Length (ft)
Width (ft)
3.5
3.2
10
40
5500*
11.5
8
Skyhook
6
Cubic Metres
Material Thickness
Lift in No Wind (kg)
Lift in 15mph Wind (kg)
Max Wind Speed (mph)
Max Unloaded Alt (ft)
Length (ft)
Width (ft)
3.5
2.7
9
38
5000
11
7
Skyhook
4.5
Cubic Metres
Material Thickness
Lift in No Wind (kg)
Lift in 15mph Wind (kg)
Max Wind Speed (mph)
Max Unloaded Alt (ft)
Length (ft)
Width (ft)
2
1.9
7
36
4200
10
6
Skyhook
3
Cubic Metres
Material Thickness
Lift in No Wind (kg)
Lift in 15mph Wind (kg)
Max Wind Speed (mph)
Max Unloaded Alt (ft)
Length (ft)
Width (ft)
2
1.5
6
35
4000
9
5.5
Skyhook
2.5
Cubic Metres
Material Thickness
Lift in No Wind (kg)
Lift in 15mph Wind (kg)
Max Wind Speed (mph)
Max Unloaded Alt (ft)
Length (ft)
Width (ft)
2
1.1
5
30
3500
8
5
Skyhook
2
Cubic Metres
Material Thickness
Lift in No Wind (kg)
Lift in 15mph Wind (kg)
Max Wind Speed (mph)
Max Unloaded Alt (ft)
Length (ft)
Width (ft)
2
0.8
4
30
3000
7
5
Skyhook
1.6
Cubic Metres
Material Thickness
Lift in No Wind (kg)
Lift in 15mph Wind (kg)
Max Wind Speed (mph)
Max Unloaded Alt (ft)
Length (ft)
Width (ft)
2
0.3
3
30
2500
6
4.5
Skyhook
1
Cubic Metres
Material Thickness
Lift in No Wind (kg)
Lift in 15mph Wind (kg)
Max Wind Speed (mph)
Max Unloaded Alt (ft)
Length (ft)
Width (ft)
2
0.2
2
28
2000
5
4
POA - Price on application (Contact us for details)
* Denotes estimated performance, based on net helium lift and tether weight.
Lift Performance figures are based on base-station dry conditions at sea-level “Standard Temperature and Pressure (STP)” WITHOUT TETHER and so will be predictably different in situations where STP does not apply. i.e., in hot, high, humid places or wet conditions, rain, snow, etc.
Larger Helikites can be made that will lift considerably more. Please contact us for performance details if required.
Note 1: All figures for performance are for Imperial Standard Temperature & Pressure.
Visit The Engineering Toolbox for details.
Note 2: Extra heat, humidity, and height reduce lift. So does simply being nearer the equator. This can be reasonably reliably calculated for the particular environmental conditions of a certain region. If in doubt, choose a Helikite with a little extra helium lift.
Note 3: These figures are based on dry Helikites. Rain, snow, dew, and mist all add the weight of significantly dense water over the entire surface of a Helikite. Small Helikites may lose over 50% of their net lift. The largest Helikites may only lose 20% of their net lift due to their better surface-area-to-volume-ratio.
Note 4: These lift figures do not take into account the weight of flying line. Naturally, this will be greater for longer flying lines than shorter ones. However, modern Dyneema flying line is 10 times lighter than steel cable of the same strength, so flying line weight normally only becomes a significant issue for altitudes over 500ft.
Note 5: Figures with an asterisk next to them are calculated estimates. We have never gone over 6000ft, as there has never been the requirement to do so. However, due to the unique aerodynamic design of Helikites, it is relatively simple to reliably calculate their maximum potential altitudes.