An apparatus for stabilizing launch and landing of a vertical takeoff and landing vehicle, the apparatus comprising: a vertically-oriented support element , said vertically-oriented support element comprising: a vertically-oriented support element first end ; and a vertically-oriented support element second end , 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 , 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 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 , said vertically-oriented support element comprising: a vertically-oriented support element first end ; and a vertically-oriented support element second end , 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 , 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 ; and a vertically-oriented support element second end , 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 , 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 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. <EOS>