Return To Reality
Oh NURSE, you've spoiled the youthful banter and general bon homme with your question.
The simple answer, as with many questions relating to payload is: 'it's a combination of all the factors'.
You had to be able to get airborne for a start and so a 'running take-off' would allow a few more pounds weight than a straight lift above the tree line and a transition to forward flight (one soldier = 10lbs of torque). If you were flying a shuttle, take more weight as the fuel went down. What's the height and temp doing? Where's the next load of fuel coming from and how do I get to it? Plus several other questions, including; 'is the boss looking?'
However, there are at least two v-experienced and greatly respected HPs contributing to this Thread who have more hours than I've 'ad hot dinners, so I'll leave it to their superior knowledge.
O-D