V/STOL

V/STOL (Vertical/ Short Take-Off and Landing), type of aircraft that can take off and land vertically or on a short runway. While large conventional planes need about 5,000 ft (1,500 m) of runway, a V/STOL plane needs less than 500 ft (150 m). V/STOLs have great military value because they can land on small airfields near the scene of battle as well as on small aircraft carriers and military ships without large flight decks. Both the United States and Great Britain have a combat V/STOL called the Harrier. There are commercial STOLS that can operate from small airports.

See also: Airplane.