#2160: Rotakeoff

Today’s invention is a way to modify existing jets to give them vertical takeoff (if not landing) capability.

Planes would be fitted with an extra set of brakeable wheels on rearward-pointing stalks.

The nosewheel would be replaced with one that had a pneumatic cylinder attached.

This would be used to bounce the nose off the ground/deck and at the same moment, fire up the engines to achieve a near vertical takeoff.

This would require a degree of computer-aided coordination, but would also overcome many of the ground effects which cause difficulties for conventional VTO aircraft.