Variable vane systems

A gas turbine engine comprising:

• a pressurized air source;
• a variable vane system in fluid communication with the pressurized air source, wherein the variable vane system includes:
• an outer platform defining a centerline axis;
• an inner platform radially inward from the outer platform with respect to the centerline axis;
• a vane extending between the inner and outer platforms defining a vane axis, the vane having an inner vane stem and an opposed outer vane stem, wherein the inner vane stem is engaged with the inner platform and the outer vane stem is engaged with the outer platform;
• a bearing gap defined radially between each of the inner and outer platforms and the respective vane stems for allowing the vane to rotate about the vane axis;
• and
• a pressurized air supply inlet in fluid communication with the pressurized air source and at least one of the bearing gaps to provide pressurized air to the bearing gap to form a stem air bearing to intermittently float at least one of the vane stems for controlled rotation of the vane about the vane axis.