C8 taking HVAC Installation to New Heights: Helicopter Lift Installation at Martello Court with Helirig
At C8, we're always looking for the most effective way to deliver complex engineering projects. Sometimes that means thinking beyond traditional methods – and occasionally, it means taking to the skies.
Recently, our team partnered with specialist helicopter lifting contractor Helirig to complete the installation of new rooftop chillers at Martello Court, Admiral Park, using a helicopter lift operation that combined precision planning, expert coordination, and impressive aerial engineering.
A Solution Designed Around Efficiency
The project required the installation of several large rooftop chillers. Due to the weight of the equipment, a conventional crane lift would have required a 150-tonne mobile crane to be brought over from the UK.
However, that wasn't a viable option. The crane would have needed to operate over the extensive underground car park that runs beneath Vega Apartments and Martello Court. The structure simply wasn't designed to support the substantial loading that a crane of this size would impose.
Rather than compromising safety or logistics, the team identified a helicopter lift as the most practical engineering solution.
Using a helicopter eliminated the need for heavy ground equipment, minimised disruption to residents and the surrounding area, and allowed the chillers to be safely positioned on the rooftop within minutes. It's an approach increasingly used for complex M&E installations where site constraints make traditional lifting methods impractical.
To carry out the operation, Helirig deployed an AS332 Super Puma C1 helicopter, which travelled from Geneva specifically for the lift. Working alongside the flight crew, our engineers and site teams carefully coordinated every stage of the operation to ensure each unit was safely lifted, transported, and accurately positioned on the rooftop.
Months of Planning, Minutes of Execution
While the lift itself was completed in a remarkably short timeframe, the success of the project was built on extensive preparation.
Detailed lift plans, risk assessments, site logistics, weather monitoring, and precise coordination between multiple stakeholders were all essential to delivering a safe and successful operation. Every aspect of the lift was meticulously planned, with each movement carefully choreographed to maximise efficiency and minimise risk.
When the day arrived, the operation ran exactly as planned. The chillers were lifted, flown into position, and installed with remarkable precision, demonstrating the value of detailed planning, specialist expertise, and strong collaboration between all parties involved.
Engineering Beyond the Expected
For many people around Admiral Park, the arrival of a Super Puma helicopter created an unforgettable spectacle. For our team, however, it represented something far more important: delivering the right engineering solution to a complex technical challenge.
Projects like this demonstrate the breadth of expertise within C8 and our commitment to finding innovative, practical solutions that enable our clients' projects to succeed safely, efficiently, and with minimal disruption.
A huge thank you goes to the Helirig team, the flight crew, our engineers, and everyone involved in making this challenging operation such a success.
When engineering challenges demand a different approach, C8 is ready to find the solution.