Pilot Briefing: Gift Guide

Gifts for the traveling pilot

Collapse it and go

Space and weight are at a premium in a lot of general aviation aircraft. So what’s a traveling pilot to do? Tell the family all they can pack is a sleeping bag and insect repellent—or load the airplane and sneak out alone in the middle of the night? If it sounds familiar, fret no more. Here are some space- and relationship-saving gift ideas that should allow for at least one more person on a trip.

For more gift ideas, check out AOPA Pilot Gear, AOPA's very own online store. Find holiday cards, logo apparel, business accessories, and much more at AOPAPilotGear.com.

Gifts for the armchair pilot

Hangar fliers

Winter’s coming! It gets dark early, it’s cold, and freezing levels are dropping in a lot of states. Pilots grounded by weather will require an aviation outlet when they’re inside, lounging comfortably by the fire or congregating in the hangar. What’s the next best thing to give them? Books, movies, and an adult drink, of course.

Gifts for the geeky pilot

Gadgets and gear

Gadget-obsessed pilots may already own a watch, a camera, an Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast receiver—but with the holidays approaching, there’s always a chance to upgrade one of those items. Here are suggestions for the geeks who already have everything.

Folding table with benches, $175
www.picnicfashion.com
Wooden table with aluminum alloy frame, seats four.

Gocycle, $5,000
http://gocycle.com/
Cruise around town at 15.5 mph with this collapsible e-bike.

Joey Chair, $78.99
http://spenceraircraft.com/pilot-shop.html
Under two pounds, folds to the size of a California burrito.

Side Canyon Table, $28.99
http://spenceraircraft.com/pilot-shop.html
A 250-pound-capacity, foldable side table, foot rest, or seat.

Lift headset bag, $99.95
http://spenceraircraft.com/pilot-shop.html
This durable bag has space for two headsets and an iPad, plus side pockets for radio and other small essentials.

Mountain Hardwear Shifter 2 tent, $199
www.mountainhardwear.com
This tent for two lets you reconfigure in changing conditions.

Jetboil Zip Cooking System, $79.95
www.jetboil.com
Lightweight, heats food and drinks quickly.

Shifter 2 tent and Jetboil provided by The Trail House in Frederick, Maryland (www.trailhouse.com).

Breitling Navitimer, $6,500
www.aopa.org/navitimer
Crafted to reflect the original design, the Navitimer AOPA limited edition features the association’s logo on the dial and on the caseback.

Apple Watch, from $349
www.apple.com/watch
Get your weather (and more) on your wrist.

Stratus 2S ADS-B receiver for iPad, $899
www.sportys.com
Get subscription-free weather, GPS information, ADS-B traffic, and backup attitude—all integrated with ForeFlight Mobile.

Leica D-Lux, from $1,051
 http://us.leica-camera.com
This compact camera sports a versatile zoom lens for a variety of creative genres—think airshows and fly-ins.

Garmin VIRB, $399.99
http://virb.garmin.com/en-US/
Not only does it shoot HD video, but it also allows pilots to track and overlay speed, altitude, and more.

Stacy Schiff, Saint-Exupéry, A Biography, $13.91
Aviation legend and author Antoine de Saint-Exupéry is synonymous with the golden age of aviation.
www.bn.com

David McCullough, The Wright Brothers, $18
Get a new and intimate perspective of the story of Wilbur and Orville Wright.
www.amazon.com

Micah Wright, Duster, $39.99
This beautifully drawn graphic novel tells the story of a female cropduster pilot fighting to save her daughter from the Nazis in 1940 Texas.
http://www.amazon.com/Duster-Micah-Ian-Wright/dp/1942749821

One Six Right, $29.95
Brian Terwilliger tells the story of California’s Van Nuys Airport in a newly released Blu-ray format, dispelling misconceptions about living close to an airfield.
www.amazon.com

Planes: Fire & Rescue, $12.99
Dusty braves more adventures in this sequel to Disney’s Planes.
www.amazon.com

Aviation American Gin, $32.99
Enjoy this batch-distilled gin infused with lavender, cardamom, and sarsaparilla on the rocks or in a gin and tonic.
http://aviationgin.com/american-gin/

Vintage aircraft logo glassware, $24.99 (set of four)
Serve that gin and tonic in style in glasses etched with vintage aircraft logos.
www.sportys.com

Stacy Schiff, Saint-Exupéry, A Biography, $13.91
Aviation legend and author Antoine de Saint-Exupéry is synonymous with the golden age of aviation.
www.bn.com

David McCullough, The Wright Brothers, $18
Get a new and intimate perspective of the story of Wilbur and Orville Wright.
www.amazon.com

Micah Wright, Duster, $39.99
This beautifully drawn graphic novel tells the story of a female cropduster pilot fighting to save her daughter from the Nazis in 1940 Texas.
http://www.amazon.com/Duster-Micah-Ian-Wright/dp/1942749821

One Six Right, $29.95
Brian Terwilliger tells the story of California’s Van Nuys Airport in a newly released Blu-ray format, dispelling misconceptions about living close to an airfield.
www.amazon.com

Planes: Fire & Rescue, $12.99
Dusty braves more adventures in this sequel to Disney’s Planes.
www.amazon.com

Aviation American Gin, $32.99
Enjoy this batch-distilled gin infused with lavender, cardamom, and sarsaparilla on the rocks or in a gin and tonic.
http://aviationgin.com/american-gin/

Vintage aircraft logo glassware, $24.99 (set of four)
Serve that gin and tonic in style in glasses etched with vintage aircraft logos.
www.sportys.com