Method of transporting objects by helicopter and grapple adapted therefor

A method of transporting an elongated object with a grapple includes placing the object in a generally horizontal position on a surface. The grapple is opened and placed about the object. The grapple is then closed about the object with a force sufficient to hold the arms of the grapple against the object, but insufficient to squeeze the object tightly between the arms. The grapple is raised with the object, and the object is allowed to swing between the arms of the grapple to a generally vertical position. The grapple may include two arms having pivotally interconnected inner ends. The arms have outer portions at the outer ends with edges directed towards the inner ends. The grapple has a closed position wherein the edges of the outer portions are perpendicular to an axis symmetry extending between the arms of the grapple.