​The load – which weighed a total of 116,800 kgs with its specially-constructed cradle and the necessary loading equipment – was close to the maximum payload for the aircraft, and was one of the heaviest loads carried on an An-124 between China and Europe. The aircraft routed via Urumqui (China) and Aktyuinsk, Kazakhstan. At 1433 cm long, 451 cm wide and 388 cm high, the rotor was also a close fit in the aircraft’s main cargo cabin. Two mobile cranes were required to position the cargo on the loading track, for winching on board the aircraft. Before the flight was finalized, Ruslan International sent a representative to visit the shipper in China, in order to advise on preparation of the cargo.