How Harriers Hover

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Harrier jets are remarkable. They can takeoff and fly like regular jets and also takeoff, hover and land like helicopters.

The official term for this is V/STOL, for Vertical/Short TakeOff and Landing.

Harriers do not need long runways to takeoff and land. In the future, many other jets will be V/STOL, too.

Harriers can takeoff and land on roads or temporary airfields.

Harriers can takeoff and land on ships.

A Harrier has two movable nozzles on each side of their engine, that the pilot controls. These nozzles direct the engine's thrust so the Harrier can takeoff, hover or land.

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When flying like a regular jet, the nozzles are pointed back towards the tail. To slow down and hover, the pilot moves a lever inside the cockpit which turns the nozzles, directing the engine's thrust straight down. When the nozzles are moved back up, the Harrier can fly away.

For clearer color pictures, and to learn more about Harriers and jet pilots, order the Jet Pilot video.

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