By Steve Shupert
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A winch is used to tension a rope, which then moves, lowers, or stabilizes an object. It is also used on smaller vehicles as a self-rescue tool, such as for pickup trucks and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs).
Many fire departments are installing winches on apparatus, typically using a square-tube receiver-style hitch and sometimes in multiple locations around the rig. This powerful and useful rigging tool has many uses, limitations, and potential dangers included in the advantages it brings to the scene. We will discuss these issues as well as rope inspection and other concerns.
When determining how you will use your winch, there are several important considerations you must keep in mind. First, winches don’t lift, they pull. Yes, you can elevate a pulley (snatch block), but you are risking fouling the winch line—they just aren’t made to lift or suspend an object. A winch is designed for pulling an object on a relatively horizontal plane. A rule of thumb is that anything pulled above or below 45° from horizontal is considered hoisting. Hoists use a different braking device than a winch. Most winches are made with dynamic brakes, meaning a gear system will automatically hold the load. Dynamic brakes use the winch gears for resistance, which is why they are unstable for lifting or suspending objects. If you were to use a winch to suspend a load, the load could easily slip, and the gears could become damaged, resulting in catastrophic failure.
So, a winch is not a hoist and should never be used as such. Hoisting requires an elevated anchor point; other options such as a recovery rotator, tripod, ladder truck, or crane are likely better options. Some confined space rescue crews carry hoists on their tripods. When moving people with a mechanical hoist or winch, carefully weigh your risk/benefit considerations. It is difficult to feel the load (human) bind up, which could result in an additional injury.
When selecting a winch, determine the largest load you would reasonably pull or stabilize. The average car weighs about 3,500 pounds. The working load limit (WLL)of a winch is a bit of a moving target. It is determined by the rating of the wire rope or synthetic rope. And, all winch ratings are determined by the tension developed by the first layer of rope on the drum. The first layer is the only layer that will provide a pull equal to the working load limit. The capacity of a winch decreases as more layers are wrapped on top of each other around the drum, changing the diameter of the drum. Each additional layer drops the WLL by approximately 10%. The capacity listed on the winch assumes pulling on the first layer of rope. This is similar to a high-pressure air bag’s capacity where the taller the bag grows, the less it can lift.
Before using the winch, check the vehicle, fluids, tires, brakes, etc. Check that the winch is powered up, that the line plays out smoothly and is in good working order, that there are no broken or loose parts, and that electrical connections are bright and tight.
As stated, WLL is determined by the rating of the wire rope or synthetic rope on the drum. It is important to consider other factors that will reduce a winch’s capability. Wire rope can be damaged by pinching, fraying, kinking, or corrosion. Hazards at the scene can cause damage. The same is true for synthetic rope. It is prudent to limit your pulls to a value significantly less than the winch’s WLL. Industry experts suggest that it is good to maintain a 4:1 safety factor for every pull. Using this factor, a 9,000-pound winch should be limited to a 2,250-pound pull. This is a big dip in capability; however, keep in mind that if you are stabilizing a vehicle, most of the car’s weight is transmitted straight to the ground, and unless the vehicle gets in a bind, you are not pulling the entire weight. If you are just holding the vehicle in place, the demand on the winch is much less. If you are pulling the car up a hill or out of a body of water (the car is now full of water for a bit), these added loads will need to be considered in the planning.
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) , Standard on Automotive Fire Apparatus, suggests a minimum of 75 feet of rope for each winch. You can load more rope, but in winch work, more rope is not necessarily better. Keep in mind that to achieve the maximum pull from your winch, you need to lay off enough rope to get to the first layer (the layer closest to the drum). You do not want to stretch out all the rope and load the rope termination at the end of its line coming out of the drum either—this is a sure way to break your winch. Always maintain four to five wraps of wire rope on your drum. The drum is meant to be loaded, not the very end of the rope. A drum with too much rope will mean that you may not be able to pay enough off before reaching your pull point and you will be winching on the upper layers of the drum. This will reduce your pulling power and reduce the efficiency of your winch motor. Apparatus placement is critical in winching operations to obtain maximum pull. Ideally, the apparatus is straight in line with the load, and the distance between the apparatus and the load leaves four to five wraps of wire rope on the drum.
Big drones are professional drones used for work that requires the ability to carry heavy loads.
Some examples include:
These drones are also often called heavy-lift drones or just large drones. The three main characteristics of big drones are that they’re physically large, heavy, and capable of carrying significant payloads.
When people refer to big drones, they’re typically not talking about military drones.
Although military drones are really big—they’re the biggest drones in the world—they fall into a different category. That’s because you could buy any of the big drones on the market to use in your work, but you can’t just go buy a military drone.
In this guide to big drones we’ll cover the top models on the market, the difference between big drones for the military and those people use in their work, and more.
Here’s a table of contents in case you’d like to jump around:
From a regulatory standpoint, the FAA draws a key line at 55 pounds (25 kg). Drones under this weight can typically operate under Part 107 rules with the right certification.
Any drone over 55 pounds is classified as a heavy unmanned aircraft and falls under different regulations, such as Part 91 or Part 137 (for spraying in agriculture). These heavier platforms require special waivers, and often need a dedicated pilot team, flight planning, and airspace coordination.
The DJI Agras T50 agriculture drone weighs 114 pounds with its battery
But big drones aren’t necessarily only those drones that weigh over 55 pounds.
Here are the main types of big drones, listed from smallest to biggest:
To put things in perspective: a typical small drone fits in your backpack.
A big drone might be the size of a bicycle—or bigger—and weigh as much as your checked suitcase at the airport. But how big can a drone be? In the military world, some are as large as single-engine planes.
Not all drones are created equal. While small drones are ideal for recreational flying, casual photography, and quick inspections, big drones are built for professional tasks that require power, range, and high-end sensors.
Drone size impacts everything from flight performance to FAA classification—and understanding the differences can help you choose the right platform for your needs.
This comparison table provides a quick overview of drones by size:
Drone Size Size Weight Class Max Payload Flight Time Use Cases Example Models FAA Classification Small Under 12 in. (<30 cm) <2 lbs. (<0.9 kg) Up to 1 lb. (0.45 kg) 10–25 minutes Hobby flying, social content DJI Mini 2 SE, Ryze Tello Recreational / Part 107 Medium 12–24 in. (30–60 cm) 2–10 lbs. (0.9–4.5 kg) 2–10 lbs. (1–4.5 kg) 20–40 minutes Photography, inspection, mapping DJI Air 3, Mavic 3 Pro Part 107 certified Large 24 in.+ (60+ cm), or >6 ft. wingspan 10–55+ lbs. (4.5–25+ kg) Up to 500+ lbs. (226+ kg) 30–60+ minutes Agriculture, delivery, LiDAR, cinema DJI Matrice 350 RTK, Alta X, Griff 300 Part 107 & Part 91/137 (if >55 lbs)If you’re flying for fun, taking travel photos, or learning to fly, a small drone is likely all you need.
But if you’re a professional in agriculture, public safety, cinematography, or mapping, a large drone will give you the performance and flexibility needed for demanding work. Choosing the right size comes down to your goals, your budget, and the missions you plan to fly.
Looking for a big drone with a camera?
This kind of large drone is typically an industrial or professional-grade UAV that can carry advanced imaging equipment. It’s not going to be a massive drone, like a big agriculture drone made for spraying crops. Instead, it will be a smaller but still substantial drone built for serious jobs—cinematography, aerial surveying, photogrammetry, inspections, and thermal imaging.
These big drones typically offer long flight times, excellent stability, and the ability to support heavy or interchangeable camera payloads.
Here’s our list of the top big drones with cameras on the market right now.
The DJI Inspire 3 is a high-performance, cinema-focused drone designed for aerial cinematographers who demand precision, image quality, and flight stability. It ships with DJI’s full-frame X9 Air camera and supports Apple ProRes and CinemaDNG workflows, making it ideal for film production.
The Freefly Alta X is a versatile, heavy-lift drone designed for professionals in cinema and industrial fields. Its open architecture allows for mounting a variety of payloads—such as RED, ARRI, or large mapping sensors—on top or bottom, making it one of the most flexible systems on the market.
The Matrice 350 RTK is DJI’s flagship enterprise drone for , built for industrial inspections, mapping, and precision surveying. It supports multiple payloads including the Zenmuse H20T and L2 LiDAR system and features rugged weatherproofing, RTK positioning, and strong flight endurance.
While the largest drones are typically reserved for military or experimental use, offers a growing market of industrial-grade UAVs legally available for purchase by certified operators and businesses.
These platforms deliver substantial lifting power, long-range communication, and mission-specific capabilities—but they also come with higher price tags and regulatory requirements.
Here are the top specialized large drones of , organized by sector.
*Note: The Freefly Alta X and the Matrice 350 RTK appear in both the list above and the list below.
The XAG V40
The XAG V40 is an AI-powered agricultural drone with a unique dual-rotor design, offering efficient spraying and spreading capabilities with precise control.
The Agras T50 is a high-capacity agricultural drone capable of both spraying and spreading. It features advanced obstacle avoidance and terrain-following capabilities.
The Freefly Alta X
The Alta X is a modular heavy-lift drone tailored for high-end cinema work. It supports large payloads like RED and ARRI cameras and offers exceptional flight stability.
The Inspired Flight IFA
The IFA is a U.S.-made heavy-lift hexacopter designed for LiDAR, photogrammetry, and utility inspections. It’s NDAA-compliant and supports a wide range of payloads.
The Matrice 350 RTK is DJI’s flagship enterprise drone, ideal for mapping, inspection, and LiDAR missions. It features robust weather resistance and supports multiple payloads.
The DJI FlyCart 30
The FlyCart 30 is DJI’s rugged delivery platform, built to transport supplies across remote or difficult terrain with dual-battery redundancy and optional winch system.
The Chaparral is an autonomous hybrid VTOL cargo drone designed for medium-range delivery. It blends fixed-wing range with rotor-based vertical takeoff.
The GRIFF 300 is a heavy-lift drone engineered for defense, delivery, and industrial applications, supporting extreme payloads with multirotor lift stability.
The Quantum Systems Trinity Pro
The Trinity Pro is a fixed-wing VTOL drone designed for long-range mapping and delivery missions. It offers extended flight times and supports various payloads.
How much weight a drone can carry depends on its size, motor configuration, and power system.
Drones are generally categorized into consumer, commercial, and experimental tiers when evaluating lift capacity. While most recreational drones are designed for cameras and small sensors, commercial and specialty drones are built to carry significant payloads for agriculture, inspections, mapping, and even firefighting.
Most drone operators won’t need extreme payload capacity—but in industries like agriculture, logistics, and public safety, heavy-lift drones are essential tools. They enable missions that would otherwise require manned aircraft or ground crews, significantly improving efficiency and safety.
Here’s an overview of max payload capacity by drone type:
Drone Category Max Payload Example Models Typical Use Cases Consumer 1–5 lbs. (0.5–2.2 kg) DJI Mavic 3, Autel EVO II Aerial photography, basic sensors Commercial 20–66 lbs. (9–30 kg) Alta X, DJI Agras T50, XAG V40 Spraying, LiDAR, cinema, delivery Experimental 100–500+ lbs. (45–226+ kg) Griff 300, Firefly Heavy cargo, firefighting, defenseConsumer drones are lightweight, portable systems built primarily for photography and recreational use.
Their payload capacity is minimal—typically around 1 to 5 lbs. (0.5 to 2.2 kg)—which is enough to support built-in cameras or small attachments. Examples include:
Commercial drones offer significantly higher payload capacity and are used for agriculture, inspections, LiDAR mapping, and cinematography.
These drones are typically equipped with redundant systems and reinforced frames to carry 20 to 66 lbs. (9 to 30 kg) of gear.
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Experimental drones are built for extreme payload scenarios, including firefighting, cargo transport, and defense.
These aircraft push the boundaries of drone engineering, with some models carrying 500+ lbs. (226+ kg).
The DJI FlyCart 30 carrying a big load on Mount Everest
Large drones offer powerful capabilities for commercial operators—ranging from long-range inspections to precision spraying and advanced cinematography. But buying a big drone isn’t just about payload specs or flight time. It also involves meeting strict regulatory requirements, managing risk, and ensuring your team is equipped to operate and maintain the aircraft safely and legally.
To operate a large drone commercially in the U.S., you must hold a Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate issued by the FAA. If the drone weighs more than 55 lbs (25 kg), you’ll need to operate under Part 91 or Part 137 rules, which require special approvals or exemptions. Understanding these classifications is essential before purchase, especially for agricultural or cargo operations.
Big drones often fly at higher altitudes and over longer distances, increasing the likelihood that you’ll need FAA airspace authorization. If you’re planning Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) missions, you’ll need to secure a waiver and meet specific hardware and procedural requirements. All drones used in controlled airspace must also comply with Remote ID regulations.
Larger drones come with higher stakes. Commercial drone insurance is strongly recommended—and often required by clients or regulators—because heavy drones can cause serious damage in case of malfunction. Policies should cover liability, physical damage, and potentially the payload itself.
Buying a big drone means committing to its long-term upkeep. These aircraft typically require trained staff to handle maintenance, replace parts, calibrate systems, and perform pre- and post-flight checks. A manufacturer with strong customer support and a track record of reliability can make a big difference.
Large drones demand more from the pilot. High-value payloads, mission-critical operations, and complex ground control systems (GCS) all require training and hands-on experience. Prospective buyers should either be seasoned pilots or work closely with professionals who understand flight planning, battery management, and regulatory compliance.
In short, large drones for sale in are powerful tools—but they come with serious responsibilities. Understanding drone laws for heavy drones, investing in training, and preparing for ongoing operational needs are all essential steps to making a smart purchase.
Big drones are built for specialized tasks that smaller UAVs can’t manage.
Whether it’s flying long distances, carrying heavy equipment, or operating in harsh environments, large drones enable critical commercial and public sector operations that demand performance and endurance.
Freefly’s Flying Sun is a big drone made to carry hundreds of lights, serving as a spotlight
The Flying Sun (the drone shown above) is a niche example of a heavy-lift drone. So far, it’s the only drone made devoted to lighting.
But there are several common use cases for large drones—here the top five:
Large drones are widely used to inspect power lines, pipelines, wind turbines, bridges, and telecom towers. These inspections often require long flight times, strong transmission links, and the ability to carry LiDAR, thermal, or zoom cameras. Industries like utilities, energy, and infrastructure rely on these heavy lift drones for safer, more efficient inspections.
In agriculture, big drones are used for spraying crops, spreading seed or fertilizer, and mapping field health. High-capacity models like the DJI Agras T50 carry large tanks and use integrated spraying systems to cover acres of farmland quickly. These large drone platforms improve coverage and reduce labor demands on large-scale farms.
Fire departments, police, and rescue teams use big drones for thermal imaging, scene awareness, and aerial logistics. These drones can carry loudspeakers, thermal sensors, or medical kits and are often deployed in search-and-rescue or disaster response scenarios. Their long endurance and payload flexibility make them ideal for time-sensitive missions.
Heavy-lift drones are increasingly used to transport supplies across long distances or difficult terrain. From delivering tools to offshore rigs to sending emergency supplies to remote clinics, drones like the DJI FlyCart 30 and GRIFF 300 offer a faster, more flexible alternative to ground or manned aerial delivery.
In film and media, big drones are chosen for their ability to lift cinema-grade cameras like RED and ARRI. They provide stable footage at high resolution and are essential for dynamic shots in professional production. These same drones also carry photogrammetry or LiDAR payloads for topographic surveys in industries like construction and land development.
The GRIFF 300 heavy-lift drone
When people ask about the biggest drone, they usually mean the one with the largest wingspan, heaviest takeoff weight, or greatest payload capacity.
As of writing this article, the largest drones in the world are primarily military aircraft used for surveillance, reconnaissance, or heavy-lift missions.
But if we’re talking about the commercial sector, the largest drone in the world will be a completely different thing—it’s much smaller, and made for specific commercial applications like spraying pesticides for farming or carrying heavy loads on a job site.
These systems operate more like crewless aircraft than the drones most people are familiar with.
Here’s an example:
The Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Global Hawk
Credit: Northrop Grumman
The Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Global Hawk is currently the largest operational drone in the world. Built for the U.S. Air Force, it performs high-altitude, long-endurance reconnaissance missions across global theaters of operation.
The RQ-4 uses high-resolution radar and infrared sensors to monitor vast areas of land and sea. Its wingspan is wider than many commercial airliners, and it can fly from one continent to another without refueling.
To put the Global Hawk’s size into perspective: its 131-foot wingspan is wider than a Boeing 737 and more than double the span of a Cessna Citation business jet. It’s a true outlier in the world of unmanned aircraft, offering global reach without a pilot onboard.
While military drones like the Global Hawk dominate in size, there are also large drones made for commercial and industrial use that are really big for their target work.
Here are a few examples:
Credit: DHL
Credit: Elroy Air
Credit: Griff Aviation
Military drones—also known as UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) or UAS (Unmanned Aircraft Systems)—are in a category of their own when it comes to size, power, and capability.
Unlike commercial or consumer drones, these aircraft are engineered for endurance, altitude, and sophisticated mission profiles such as intelligence gathering, surveillance, and even direct combat. Some military drones have wingspans longer than commercial airliners and can remain airborne for more than a full day.
The MQ-9 Reaper Military Drone
The MQ-9 Reaper, operated by the U.S. Air Force, is one of the most widely recognized military drones in the world. It’s an armed, medium-altitude, long-endurance drone used for ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) and precision strike missions.
The Bayraktar TB2, developed by Turkish company Baykar, is a tactical drone used in reconnaissance and precision strike missions. It has gained global attention for its role in modern conflicts and is notable for its affordability and effectiveness.
Military drones like the ones listed above are not available to the public. These aircraft are subject to strict government controls, including ITAR (International Traffic in Arms Regulations) and other export restrictions. They’re classified as defense articles and can only be operated by government agencies or foreign allies under approved arms sales agreements.
To put their size in perspective: the Global Hawk’s wingspan exceeds that of a Boeing 737, while the MQ-9 Reaper is closer in scale to a small manned aircraft like the Cessna 208. These are not just “big drones”—they are fully-fledged unmanned aircraft built for strategic operations.
Yes, a drone can carry a person—but only under specific circumstances.
Drones made to carry people fall into a third, separate category from the heavy-lift commercial drones and military drones we’ve discussed so far in this article.
Known as passenger drones, they’re part of a growing segment called eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) aircraft, often called air taxis or urban air mobility (UAM) vehicles.
Credit: Archer Aviation
While industrial drones can carry equipment weighing over 400 lbs (181 kg), they’re not built for human transport. Passenger drones, on the other hand, are aircraft with seating, stabilization systems, and sometimes autonomous flight capabilities intended for moving people safely through the air.
While these drones exist and are flying today, widespread adoption remains limited due to regulatory hurdles. In the U.S., the FAA has not yet certified most passenger drones for general use. Aircraft like the Hexa and Ryse Recon can fly under Part 103 ultralight rules, which allow operation without a license—but only in specific environments, with tight limitations on weight and airspace.
More complex aircraft, like the EHang 216, are subject to rigorous experimental certification and often require piloted testing or waivers for urban flights. Safety remains a key concern, especially in cities where dense buildings, air traffic, and power lines create high-risk environments.
As urban air mobility (UAM) continues to evolve, passenger drones may eventually play a role in on-demand air transport. However, for now, they remain at the intersection of experimental aviation and emerging tech—impressive in demonstration, but not yet ready for everyday use.
Here are answers to the most commonly asked questions about heavy-lift drones.
Drones can range from palm-sized quadcopters to massive unmanned aircraft with wingspans larger than small airplanes. Under FAA rules, drones over 55 lbs. (25 kg) move from Part 107 operations to more heavily regulated categories like Part 91 or 137. The largest experimental or military drones can exceed 130 feet in wingspan and weigh over 30,000 lbs.
As of , the biggest operational drone is the RQ-4 Global Hawk, a U.S. military surveillance UAV. It has a wingspan of 131 feet (40 meters), weighs over 32,000 lbs. (14,500 kg), and can fly at altitudes above 60,000 feet for more than 30 hours. It’s larger than a Boeing 737 in wingspan and is used for strategic reconnaissance missions.
Military drones vary widely in size depending on their mission. Tactical drones like the Bayraktar TB2 are about 21 feet (6.5 meters) in wingspan, while high-endurance systems like the MQ-9 Reaper have a wingspan of 66 feet (20 meters). The largest, such as the RQ-4 Global Hawk, have wingspans exceeding 130 feet and are comparable in scale to manned aircraft.
Yes, but only certain aircraft designed as passenger drones or personal eVTOLs (electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicles) can carry people. Examples include the Lift Aircraft Hexa and the Ryse Recon, both of which are designed for short-range personal flight. These are not typical drones—they operate under different regulatory frameworks and are still emerging in urban air mobility testing.
The Griff Aviation 300 is one of the most powerful heavy-lift drones available, with a payload capacity exceeding 500 lbs. (226 kg). Another example is the Parallel Flight Firefly, which can lift over 100 lbs. (45 kg) and is used in firefighting and delivery applications. These drones are custom-built for industrial and defense operations.
Large commercial drones typically cost between $10,000 and $50,000, depending on configuration and payload. Models like the DJI Matrice 350 RTK start around $12,000, while higher-end systems like the Freefly Alta X with full payloads can exceed $30,000. Prices increase significantly for specialized platforms in agriculture, logistics, or cinematography.
Yes. In the U.S., operating any drone commercially requires a Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate from the FAA. If the drone weighs more than 55 lbs. (25 kg), additional waivers and certifications under Part 91 or Part 137 may be required, especially for operations like spraying or BVLOS (Beyond Visual Line of Sight) flights. Insurance is also recommended for liability protection.
Large drones are typically unmanned aircraft designed for tasks like inspection, mapping, or spraying. eVTOLs (electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft) are a separate category designed to transport people or heavy cargo, often autonomously or with a pilot onboard. While both may use similar propulsion systems, eVTOLs are subject to more rigorous airworthiness standards and regulatory frameworks.
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