# F-16's and F-18's are the only planes that can accelerate vertically?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/f-16s-and-f-18s-are-the-only-planes-that-can-accelerate-vertically/96857>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [December 4, 2001, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/f-16s-and-f-18s-are-the-only-planes-that-can-accelerate-vertically/96857 "2001-12-04T17:24:36Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Showing post:** 37

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**Author:** ![bernse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a9a28c/32.png) [@bernse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bernse)\
**Post date:** [December 5, 2001, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/f-16s-and-f-18s-are-the-only-planes-that-can-accelerate-vertically/96857/37 "2001-12-05T14:32:48Z")

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> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by ryoushi \*  
> \*\*  
> Same with the Space Shuttle, I assume? \*\*

Of course your neglecting to mention the Space Shuttle acts as a rocket during takeoff… not an aircraft. Its also not only its own “power” making it go skyward. You could strap some boosters on a Cessna 172 and make it accelerate straight up, too. 😉

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