Load assembly and method for lifting a load into an aircraft

A load assembly for use with an aircraft, the load assembly comprising:

• a support sub-assembly configured for removable coupling to a structural member of the aircraft, the structural member having a first interior position and a second interior position, the support sub-assembly extending between the first interior position and the second interior position, wherein the support sub-assembly comprises one or more retainer clamps including a forward retainer clamp and an aft retainer clamp configured to engage the structural member of the aircraft for removable coupling the support sub-assembly to the structural member of the aircraft, and wherein the support sub-assembly comprises a beam portion and a fixed spacer portion extending transversely from the beam portion, the fixed spacer portion comprises the forward retainer clamp and the beam portion comprises the aft retainer clamp;
• and
• a lifting sub-assembly movably coupled to the support sub-assembly, the lifting sub-assembly movable along the support sub-assembly between the first interior position and the second interior position and configured to lift or lower a load and to support the load as the lifting sub-assembly moves along the support sub-assembly between the first interior position and the second interior position.