System and method for handling wind turbine components for assembly thereof

A method of installing a crane on to a wind turbine comprising:

• coupling an unmanned air vehicle with the crane;
• using the unmanned air vehicle to lift the crane to be mounted to the wind turbine;
• and
• mounting the crane to the wind turbine.

A system for handling a component of a wind turbine, comprising:

• an unmanned air vehicle;
• a crane attached to a nacelle of the wind turbine;
• one or more coupling means configured to couple the unmanned air vehicle and the crane to the component such that at least a portion of the weight of the wind turbine component can be supported and lifted by each of the one or more unmanned air vehicle and one or more crane and such that operation of the unmanned air vehicle and crane causes movement of the component;
• and
• a control means to control the unmanned air vehicle and the crane in coordination so as to manoeuvre the component,
• wherein the crane is configured to be attached to the component at a first position on the component and the unmanned air vehicle is configured to be attached to the component at a second position on the component spaced from the first position.