Why does the load swing?

Because it hangs from a rope, it is a pendulum. When the helicopter speeds up or slows down, the load lags behind and starts to swing. The swing time depends only on the rope length, not on how heavy the load is.

Does the helicopter really hover on its own?

In the game it does, to keep the controls simple. A real helicopter needs constant small corrections, so the game focuses on the part that is hard in any case: controlling the swinging load.

Heli Cargo Hook

Fly a helicopter with a cargo hook: lower it onto each load, carry the load across without letting it swing, and set it down gently on its pad. The load hangs on a rope that swings like a pendulum. Six jobs with more loads and tighter pads.

Arcade
Free, plays in your browser
Mouse, touch or keyboard
Added 10 November 2026
#helicopter
#cargo
#slingload
#pendulum
#flyingsim
#simulator

Heli Cargo Hook

0% · Getting ready

Watch a 20-second trailer

A real run of the game, recorded with captions and no sound.

How to play

Fly with the arrow keys or WASD. The helicopter holds a hover when you let go, so you can pause and think. Lower the hook onto a load, moving slowly, and it clips on by itself.
Carry the load to its pad. Starting and stopping makes the rope swing, so move gently and, if it starts to swing, fly the way it is swinging to bring it back to the vertical.
Lower the load until it is just above the ground over the middle of the pad, then press Space (or the let-go button). A hard drop breaks the load and ends the job.

Controls: mouse, touch or keyboard. Made by CalcoTools.

Tips and strategy

The swing is a pendulum: it takes the same time for a small swing as for a big one. Move off slowly and the swing stays small and easy to calm.
If the rope swings too far it gives way. Do not fly off at full speed with a load, and slow down well before you stop.
Releasing from low down matters more than where you release. The science panel shows the speed the load would hit the ground at from where it is now.

FAQ

Why does the load swing?: Because it hangs from a rope, it is a pendulum. When the helicopter speeds up or slows down, the load lags behind and starts to swing. The swing time depends only on the rope length, not on how heavy the load is.
Does the helicopter really hover on its own?: In the game it does, to keep the controls simple. A real helicopter needs constant small corrections, so the game focuses on the part that is hard in any case: controlling the swinging load.

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