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Gift Ideas for Aviation Enthusiasts
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    Aviation Pilots

    Gift Ideas for Aviation Enthusiasts

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    By Sarina Houston
    Updated December 15, 2018

    If you need gift ideas for an aviation enthusiast, look no further. The good news is that for an aviation enthusiast, you can't really go wrong  A true avgeek will enjoy almost anything as long as it has something to do with airplanes. Whether your budget is a few dollars or a few hundred dollars, here are a few ideas to get you started: 

  • 01
    Aircraft Model

    Model Aircraft
    Getty/Cultura RM Exclusive/Zero Creatives

    It's probably safe to say that aviation enthusiasts really like model airplanes. A nice well-made aircraft model will last forever and can be displayed at home or at work. Try The Airplane Shop or Scalecraft.com for pre-made and custom aircraft models. 

  • 02
    Wooden Replica Propeller

    wooden propeller
    Getty/Harsimrat Sandhawalia/EyeEm

    A wooden propeller makes a nice addition to any avgeek's home or office. You can find a selection of nice replica propellers online at A Simpler Time.

  • 03
    A Piece of an Airplane

    aircraft propeller
    Getty/Yannick Moigne / EyeEm

    If you want to get creative, search online for aircraft parts and vintage airline décor. You might find a vintage pilot bag or something like this galley cart on Etsy.com. These items are a lot of fun and make great conversation pieces for the aviation enthusiast. 

  • 04
    Aviation Lamp

    taxiway lamp

     Amazon

    A taxiway lamp from Sporty's Wright Bros. Collection would make a great gift for the desk of an aviation enthusiast!  

  • 05
    Aviator Sunglasses

    aviator sunglasses
    Getty/WIN-Initiative

    If there's anyone that needs one more pair of sunglasses, it's the avgeek who is always looking up at the sky. Aviation enthusiasts spend a lot of time outside, watching and photographing airplanes or working at airports. A nice pair of aviators will make them smile…and squint less. 

  • 06
    Airplane Ride

    Woman taking flying lessons in glider airplane
    Colin Anderson/Blend Images/Getty Images

    Airplane rides are still a thing for aviation enthusiasts. Flying is expensive, so although avgeeks really love airplanes, they may not get to fly as often as they'd like. Buy them a gift certificate to the nearest flight school or a ride on a rare warbird and maybe they'll even take you along! 

  • 07
    Aviation Photography or Artwork

    aviation artwork
    Getty/Fine Art

    A great aviation photo or piece of artwork always makes a classy gift for the aviation buff. Choosing a local artist or a photo of an airplane they love will make it more personal. 

  • 08
    Aviation Notecards

    general aviation
    Getty/Ty Milford

    Something like compass themed note cards from Etsy.com is a great gift for the office. Personalize them with the recipient's name or an aviation quote to make them special.

  • 09
    Books or DVDs About Airplanes

    Reading book
    Paul Bradbury/Getty Images

    Avgeeks like to watch shows about - you guessed it - airplanes! Items like the hit TV show The Aviators or an aviation documentary like One Six Right are great choices. Or gift a great coffee table book like In the Cockpit: Inside 50 History-Making Aircraft, available from Amazon.com.

  • 10
    Aviation Attire

    airplane attire
    Getty/Walker and Walker

    Try to stay away from the cheesy clothing items (like the ones that scream "I'm Cool Because I'm a Pilot!") but a T-shirt or baseball cap from a favorite airline or aircraft manufacturer like Boeing or Airbus is probably a good choice.

  • 11
    Transceiver

    Handheld radio
    Getty/Photomorgana

    For an aviation guru that doesn't already have one, a transceiver radio makes a great gift.  A transceiver allows the aviation enthusiast to listen to aircraft and air traffic control transmissions from the ground - a fun time for any avgeek. You'll find a good one like the iCom IC-A14 at Sporty's Pilot Shop and it'll set you back $200-400. 

  • 12
    Flight Simulator

    flight simulator

    Roger Ressmeyer/Corbis/VCG/Getty Images

    X-Plane 11 Global Flight Simulator is one of the newest and best flight simulator software around. The graphics are good and at around $60, it's easy on the budget.

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