How A Helicopter Is Stored In A $49 Million Superyacht

Highlights

• Superyachts with onboard helipads and helicopter storage allow billionaires to seamlessly transition from sea to sky, combining luxury and utility.
• Helipads on superyachts are constructed using strong materials to withstand the weight and impact of helicopters, with an onboard hangar to store the aircraft out of sight and safe from harsh weather conditions.
• Landing a helicopter on a yacht requires careful consideration of weather conditions and safety measures, with maintenance and servicing essential to ensure the safety of both the helicopter and the yacht.

In the ever fabulous world of the super rich, owning a superyacht is akin to having a customized island on the open seas. These billionaire playgrounds are testaments of grandeur, stirring envy even among owners of the most stately mansions.

Over the years, yachts have gone from extra large party boats to symbols of unparalleled maritime elegance. These superyachts flaunt cutting edge designs, facilities, and other designs that make you wonder why the billionaire owners ever bother returning to land when they have such a floating palace at their disposal.

Now imagine a billionaire off the coast of Sardinia; the sun is setting on the island, and he decides to take an aerial tour of the Italian city with a helicopter – this is where luxury meets utility. This seamless transition from sea to sky is possible thanks to the ingenious design of the onboard helipads, and storage beneath the deck for the choppers ... having a helicopter is a necessity in difficult environments, and serve a key element of safety.

The Design

Storing a helicopter on a $49 million superyacht is no small feat. Engineers typically equip the sea vessel with an integrated helicopter landing platform, commonly referred to as a helipad or heli deck. Based on the yacht's size, the helipad can either be located at the stern, also known as the aft, or on the bow to ensure easy access for take-offs and landings.

Constructed using strong materials such as reinforced steel and carbon fiber, the helipad is designed to withstand the weight and impact of a helicopter without compromising its structural integrity. Typically, an onboard hanger located below the helipad is incorporated into the yacht's structural design.

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This hangar houses the helicopter when it is not in use. Precision hydraulic systems or electric pulley systems lower the aircraft safely into the hull, storing it entirely out of sight and safe from harsh weather conditions.

Landing And Storage

Landing a helicopter on a yacht is not the same as landing it on stable ground; the $49 million vessel experiences dynamic motion due to wave action, which could potentially cause a significant hazard to helicopter and yacht operations.

Before landing, the yacht must stay stationary, with its nose in the wind to reduce relative wind speeds, and the helipads will be limited to receiving helicopters according to The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) conditions. The helipad must be clear of any obstacles, and the crew must ensure that any loose items or debris that may pose a risk during landing be removed from the deck area.

Next, the crew will check the weather conditions to ensure clear visibility. Wind speed and direction are important in determining whether it is safe land the aircraft. Once the helicopter's skids touch down on the helipad, the crew will fold the helicopter's blades backwards, making it more compact and easier to store in the yacht's hangar.

Depending on the size of the aircraft, a tow vehicle is typically used to move the helicopter into the hangar below the deck. The tow vehicle is positioned in front of the chopper, and its bars are attached to the chopper's landing gear.

It is then slowly lowered into the hangar, where it is safely secured and positioned using straps and other restraints to avoid damage from rough seas. It is an intricate process aimed at prioritizing safety while seamlessly integrating two powerful modes of transportation.

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Maintenance And Safety Considerations

To ensure that the aircraft stays safe in the hangar, measures such as regular checks and servicing are taken to avoid damage while in storage.

Factors such as the weight of the helicopter on the sea vessel, as well as the availability of maintenance tools, refueling arrangements and firefighting equipment, are considered vital for the safety of both the chopper and the yacht. A superyacht can house practically any helicopter model, provided that the size of the vessel allows a helipad.

One of the largest Superyachts ever made, the 142-metre Lurssen motor yacht NORD (owned by Russia's richest man, Alexey Mordashov) boasts two retractable hangars, one in its bridge deck and the other in its bow.

Helicopters are sensitive machines with a lot of moving parts to keep them functional. The yacht's ventilation systems are installed to remove any buildup of exhaust gases when the helicopter is in storage.

Fire and smoke detectors are also installed in the hangar for an added layer of precaution, while the aircraft is usually refueled while the yacht is moored safely at the port. This ensures that any potential fire risks are handled on steady footing.

Stowing a helicopter on a yacht requires the strategic designs that only astronomical amounts of money can buy. The combination of aviation and marine technology to birth the ability to store a helicopter on a $49 million superyacht is the pinnacle of luxury and convenience.

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