To be fair it's only 1000 lbs useful load for the R I, a bit more for the R II.
it is where you carry it that is crucial.
full fuel + 4 by 75kg pax is an easy rule of thumb that sees you nicely behind the allowable forward C of G with full fuel line on Chart 2-3.
Make sure that if there is a pax heavier than 75, that he sits in back, and his lighter child or wife sits in front.
range is 2 1/2 hours with 30 minutes reserve, just a bit less than all day.
Please be careful of forward C of G. two fatals (4 in each) in OZ had that finger pointed at them.
I would be very surprised if you couldn't slowly do a vertical take off anywhere in England any day with the above load.
As another rule of thumb, if the A/C cannot climb slowly - don't jerk it up unless you wanna die - under its own merit, every 100lbs less will give you about 10hp or 1" MAP extra to use.
slowly, means keep the A/C level, increase the MAP to the allowable T/O power for that day according to the chart above your head, and allow it to demonstrate its own capacity or not to climb. always go at least 10 feet above obstacles to allow enough height to trade off for a smooth translatrion, given that you should not reduce power until you reach the airspeed for least power required.
it only will take a couple of minutes to repositon one of your pax or a bit of frieght to a more suitable position.