An apparatus (32, 41a, 41b, 90a, 90b, 100a, 100b, 110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160) for stabilizing launch and landing of a vertical takeoff and landing vehicle, the apparatus comprising: a vertically-oriented support element (42, 91, 141, 151, 161), said vertically-oriented support element comprising: a vertically-oriented support element first end (42a, 91a, 141a, 151a, 161a); and a vertically-oriented support element second end (42b, 91b, 141b, 151b, 161b, 171b, 181b), said vertically-oriented support element extending from the vertically-oriented support element first end to the vertically-oriented support element second end, said second end located at a selected distance away from the vertically-oriented support element first end, said vertically-oriented support element comprising at least one first cooperating stabilizer element (42, 52a, 52b, 52c, 52d, 52e, 52f, 64a, 64b, 64c, 64d, 64e, 92), said at least one first cooperating stabilizer element located proximate to the vertically-oriented support element second end, wherein the at least one first cooperating stabilizer element comprises a female attachment portion (52a, 52b, 52c, 52d, 52e, 52f) dimensioned to receive a second cooperating stabilizer portion, said second cooperating stabilizer element comprising a male attachment portion, wherein the female attachment portion comprises a slot, said slot located at the vertically-oriented support element second end, said slot extending a selected distance from the vertically-oriented support element second end longitudinally along the length of the vertically-oriented support element, and wherein a spring element is positioned between and in communication with the first cooperating stabilizer element and the vertically-oriented support element. a vertically-oriented support element (42, 91, 141, 151, 161), said vertically-oriented support element comprising: a vertically-oriented support element first end (42a, 91a, 141a, 151a, 161a); and a vertically-oriented support element second end (42b, 91b, 141b, 151b, 161b, 171b, 181b), said vertically-oriented support element extending from the vertically-oriented support element first end to the vertically-oriented support element second end, said second end located at a selected distance away from the vertically-oriented support element first end, said vertically-oriented support element comprising at least one first cooperating stabilizer element (42, 52a, 52b, 52c, 52d, 52e, 52f, 64a, 64b, 64c, 64d, 64e, 92), said at least one first cooperating stabilizer element located proximate to the vertically-oriented support element second end, a vertically-oriented support element first end (42a, 91a, 141a, 151a, 161a); and a vertically-oriented support element second end (42b, 91b, 141b, 151b, 161b, 171b, 181b), said vertically-oriented support element extending from the vertically-oriented support element first end to the vertically-oriented support element second end, said second end located at a selected distance away from the vertically-oriented support element first end, said vertically-oriented support element comprising at least one first cooperating stabilizer element (42, 52a, 52b, 52c, 52d, 52e, 52f, 64a, 64b, 64c, 64d, 64e, 92), said at least one first cooperating stabilizer element located proximate to the vertically-oriented support element second end, wherein the at least one first cooperating stabilizer element comprises a female attachment portion (52a, 52b, 52c, 52d, 52e, 52f) dimensioned to receive a second cooperating stabilizer portion, said second cooperating stabilizer element comprising a male attachment portion, wherein the female attachment portion comprises a slot, said slot located at the vertically-oriented support element second end, said slot extending a selected distance from the vertically-oriented support element second end longitudinally along the length of the vertically-oriented support element, and wherein a spring element is positioned between and in communication with the first cooperating stabilizer element and the vertically-oriented support element.