A gas turbine engine having a forward thrust mode and a reverse thrust mode is provided. The gas turbine engine includes a variable pitch fan configured for generating forward thrust in the forward thrust mode of the engine and reverse thrust in the reverse thrust mode of the engine. The engine also includes a fan cowl surrounding the variable pitch fan, wherein the fan cowl forms a bypass duct for airflow generated by the fan. The fan cowl includes an aft edge that defines a physical flow area of the bypass duct, and a deflection device configured for deflecting airflow near the aft edge, wherein the deflection device is configured for operation in the reverse thrust mode of the engine. The physical flow area of the bypass duct at the aft edge remains the same in the forward thrust mode of the engine and in the reverse thrust mode of the engine.