Abstract: Vertical lift in an aircraft is produced by driving a column of air downwardly, through an annular thrust-flow channel which is formed in the body (fuselage) of the aircraft. The aircraft also has an aerodynamic shape which is capable of developing lift responsive to forward flight. The annular thrust-flow channel is provided with a flow control mechanism which is capable of directing the developed air flow in varying orientations between a substantially vertical (axial) orientation for developing stationary, vertical lift (i.e., hovering) and a vectored (angled) orientation for developing a vertical component for producing lift and a horizontal component for producing forward (or rearward) flight, or flight to either side.