Abstract: A lifting system (1) for lifting loads, for example for lifting and recovering an aircraft (2) following an accident is provided, and has a lift (6) which can be positioned underneath a load, in particular underneath a wing (5) of an aircraft. The lift (6) has at least three lifting cylinders (8) or similar lifting elements and a docking head (9) for coupling to a load receiving point. A measurement system is provided in order to detect the position of the docking head (9) and to measure the load vector that occurs at the docking head (9). A control device is connected to the measurement system, for mutually independent, load controlled or movement controlled confirmation of the individual lifting cylinder drives.