Definition
An aircraft operating capability in which the aircraft becomes airborne after a short takeoff roll but lands vertically with no forward ground roll. STOVL aircraft typically use vectored thrust, lift fans, or tilting engines to redirect engine thrust downward for vertical landing while using a rolling start for takeoff to permit a heavier fuel and weapons load.
Plain English
A type of aircraft that needs only a short runway to take off but can land straight down like a helicopter, without needing a runway to roll out on.
Context Anchor
Seen in aircraft performance descriptions, military aircraft operations, shipboard operations, and special landing-area planning.
Derivation
The name describes the operational profile directly: a short takeoff combined with a vertical landing. The pairing exists because vertical takeoff with a full fuel and weapons load is often impossible, but vertical landing is achievable once that load has been used or expended.
Why Pilots Care
Enables operations from short forward fields, small carrier decks without catapults, and confined landing zones where conventional runways are unavailable.
Intuition Check
Do not assume this means the aircraft always takes off vertically. In this term, the takeoff is short, while the landing is vertical.
Example Sentence 1
The F-35B's STOVL design allows it to operate from small amphibious assault ships that lack a full-length carrier deck.
Example Sentence 2
During the demonstration the F-35B performed a Short Takeoff And Vertical Landing on the amphibious assault ship deck.