VAAC Harrier – Easiest plane to fly ever?

I have been reading about the VAAC (Vectored-thrust Aircraft Advanced Control) Harrier and I think it could have the most pilot friendly control system ever.

It replaces the Harrier’s 2 engine controls (throttle and nozzle position control) with 1 control which acts as a speed selector.

If the Harrier is stationary with the engine running and speed selector in the zero speed position, you can pull back on the stick and do a vertical take off, then if you push the speed selector forward the Harrier transitions to normal flight. Pulling the speed selector back will make the Harrier transition to the hover and pushing the stick forward will make it land vertically!

I think this is fantastic technology, with this idiot proof system I could have been a fighter pilot 🙂

A system like this will see service on the STOVL JSF. I’d like to see it on the AV-8B Harrier’s but I doubt it will happen due to money concerns 🙁 I’m sure this system would have saved a lot of lives and Harrier’s over the years.

More info here http://www.qinetiq.com/home/case_studies/defence/vaac_harrier.html and http://www.qinetiq.com/home/newsroom/news_releases_homepage/2005/2nd_quarter/QinetiQs_JSF_world_first.html