An aircraft having an airfoil provided with a plurality of openings on the upper lift surface thereof for directing an airflow over substantially the entire area of that surface. This flow decreases the pressure over the upper lift surface for creating lift forces sufficient to lift the aircraft. The size of the opening is varied by means of a selectively positionable, pivotal flap. A wall portion cooperating with the flap to form the opening may have one of several configurations including planar, a wedge, and an isosceles triangle with its apex adjacent the outer end of the flap. Further, an upper airfoil shaped member may be arranged at the lift surface of the airfoil adjacent the opening. Openings in various portions of the wings may be inversely positionable from symmetrically arranged openings for controlling the attitude of the aircraft. A propeller is arranged for ducting air to the openings. This propeller, which may be supplemented by at least one compressor stage, has variable and reversible pitch tips for selectively and variably providing thrust bidirectionally along the trust line of the aircraft. When positioned for reversed thrust, these tips will provide a thrust which counters any thrust created by air escaping from the openings and permit the aircraft to hover. The airfoil is also provided with passages therethrough arranged in symmetrically spaced portions thereof in parallel to the aircraft thrust line. These passages have valves associated therewith and arranged for selectively and inversely directing airflow from the passages for imparting a moment to the airfoil which permits turning of the aircraft.