Since that size is often difficult to grasp, a better method for understanding their size is by how many humans a particular breed can carry. While the crew of a typical heavyweight might be 30 men (this includes riflemen, bellmen, officers, etc.) they can carry many times more. In the series, special harnesses covered a dragon's entire body and were outfitted with slings where men could sit for transportation. Using this method a Regal Copper could carry up to 500 men, meaning the surface area of a Regal (at least the sides and top of the main body) was the same as 500 people lying side-by-side.