Budget pilot gift guide

We also set our sights on items that not only were inexpensive, but that met interesting criteria: things you might not think you need or know about. We combed all the popular sites: Sporty’s Pilot Shop, Aircraft Spruce, Flight Outfitters, MyGoFlight, Alaska Gear Company, and did a deep dive into Amazon. However you shop, we hope you’ll make your special pilot happy this holiday season. —The editors

Flight Outfitters Chart Kneeboard

Editor Sarah Deener has no problem admitting she’s vertically challenged. Some of her most interesting piloting advice stems from finding solutions to her short stature (see her column in Flight Training magazine, “Always Learning”). And sometimes all you need is a simple kneeboard for storing and organizing your must-have gear, without weighing down your leg or struggling with a bulky board. The Flight Outfitters Chart Kneeboard provides a secure mounting surface without all the bulk of traditional kneeboards. The thick leg strap feeds through a metal buckle to firmly attach the kneeboard to your leg—it will stay in place no matter how rough that dirt strip landing is. The reversible design can be used on your left or right leg, and is small enough to work in airplanes with a center stick. A metal buckle is attached with elastic to provide a comfortable fit. The kneeboard measures 8 inches tall by 14 inches wide when flat, yet folds down to only 5 inches wide, making it easy to stow.
$39.95 | flightoutfitters.com

Alaska Gear Company Camp Chair

AOPA’s vice president for flight operations and pilot services is a self-proclaimed “big guy,” so when Dave Roy took our dare to try out the Alaska Gear camp chair, he was skeptical. He questioned whether the seemingly small frame of the chair could handle his large frame. He needed not to have worried. This deceptive aluminum folding chair is rugged and has a weight capacity of 330 pounds even though the chair itself weighs less than 3 pounds. This camp chair is a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Its bent pole design creates a wider, more stable seat for better circulation and support; it has a tall seat height of 20 inches; is 40 inches by 26 inches; and is super comfortable. It’s a great packer, too—it folds into a compact carrying case that converts into a storage pocket beneath the seat and the assembly is simple with magnetized rods and an oxford cloth seat material.
$99 | alaskagearcompany.com

“That’s a big chair for a big dude.” —Dave Roy, AOPA vice president

Metapen Stylus Pen for iPad

This is not your grandfather’s cockpit. No more paper charts and pencils falling between the seats. You have your electronic flight bag open on your iPad. But your finger is a sloppy writing implement, especially if it’s cold outside and you’re wearing gloves. ATC reads your clearance at rapid-fire speed, but you can easily take notes with this stylus. An alternate to the expensive Apple Pencil (usually more than $100), the Metapen Pencil A8 is two times more durable than the Apple Pencil, lighter weight, smaller, and magnetized to adhere to the surface of your iPad. It takes four minutes to charge and has a two-hour writing life. It has three different LED battery lights, letting you know if the pencil is fully charged or needs a reboot. You double tap it to turn on and there are three different sizes of easily replaceable writing tips. The Metapen is specialized for 2018-2023 iPad versions and comes in four colors.
$22.79 | metapen.com

“The magnet feature alone makes it more convenient than paper and pencil.” —Kollin Stagnito, editor in chief

NASA Flight Suit Inspired Backpack

Oh, are you going to be the favorite grandparent this season! Everyone knows that space is back; between private explorations and the return of NASA, flying to the moon and beyond is back in everyone’s dreams, especially kids. This backpack from Sporty’s Aviation Gifts holds all the space gear any budding astronaut would need to explore other planets or the moon. Features a zippered top compartment large enough for an astronaut suit or boots, a bottom zippered compartment for your astronaut helmet. Additional features include NASA logos and a sewn-on American flag patch, polyester lining, drawstring closure, two side pockets, and a three-way harness for comfort. The backpack measures about 17 inches high by 13 inches wide by 10 inches thick. For ages 3 and up. Machine wash inside-out in cold water with like colors, non-chlorine bleach, tumble dry low heat or line dry. Personalization up to 14 characters including spaces is available. Please add $9.99 for personalization.
$54.99 | amazon.com 

Stanley Classic Legendary bottle

William Stanley Jr. invented the first all-steel insulated vacuum bottle in 1913. Yes, you read that right—1913! So, when someone says, “You can’t go wrong with a Stanley” (looking at you, AOPA Managing Editor Chad Jones), he’s right. That kind of history is amazing; the company says it’s been keeping “your warms warm and your colds cold” for more than 100 years. The brand has stayed relevant for all these years not only because how well made the products are, but also because the company is committed to sustainable products across its entire supply chain, from manufacturing to materials to packaging, in its Built For Life products such as this 1.5-quart Classic Legendary bottle. It has a twist-and-pour stopper and the insulated lid doubles as a drinking cup.
$45 | stanley1913.com

“Soup for days.” —Chad Jones, managing editor

Richhorse Down Blanket Camping Quilt

AOPA Director of Photography Chris Rose curated many of the products chosen for this guide. He’s known around the offices for his impeccable taste and eye for quality. He also is an Amazon super shopper. He found this portable, puffy blanket designed for easy packing and carrying online from a company called Richhorse. Richhorse was founded in 2018 by a group of adventure enthusiasts looking for outdoor thermal equipment. Enjoy the warmth and coziness without the burden of heavy luggage (in its carry bag, the blanket weighs just under one pound). The 700-fill duck down camping blanket is made from high-quality 20D 400T ripstop nylon shell and water-resistant finish. If you feel like sharing the comfort, there are snap buttons for you and a friend to snuggle together.
$59.99 | amazon.com

Wilderdog Pet Sleeping Bag

AOPA staffers love their pets. Before the pandemic, we had bring your dog to work days and one of the favorites in the publications department was Editor at Large Dave Hirschman’s yellow lab, Yolo (You Only Live Once). He was a dropout from the search dog foundation that Hirschman’s mother started in California (searchdogfoundation.org) but it wasn’t because Yolo was a bad dog, he was just an easily distracted dog (squirrel!). And he was a loving gentlemanly dog whom we all miss. I wish Yolo could have had this sleeping bag. A dog’s very own sleeping bag, the Wilderdog Sleeping Bag is the perfect setup for your favorite tent hog. Your dog will know their place wherever you are. The Wilderdog Sleeping Bag unzips three-quarters of the way around to flatten out for double the sprawl space or you can zip it up to let Fido burrow in. It’s made of durable ripstop polyester outer lining and a soft inner lining.
$59 | wilderdog.com

My Go Flight Dual Digital Power Bank Backup Battery

I’m going to let this review on the company website sum up why this battery charger is cool for pilots: “I am very pleased with this power bank. After making two 2-hour flights with it powering my GoPro, it still had 39 percent charge remaining. Even better, after a 2-hour flight today, the GoPro battery was still at 100 percent.” Having spent time with AOPA photographers and their GoPros, this is a fine testimony indeed. The Dual Digital Power Bank is a one-stop solution for keeping all your portable devices charged. It eliminates the need to carry spare cables and power bricks with this all-in-one 10,000 mAh power bank. The multi-device charging system features a built-in AC plug that acts to charge the power bank, or as a wall brick for your devices. The power bank also features two USB ports to support charging for any other connection types.
$39.99 | mygoflight.com

MIER Large Waterproof Duffel Bag Rolltop Dry Duffle Backpack

Seaplane pilots take note: Keep your gear safe and dry with a MIER dry duffle backpack. This lightweight bag is 100-percent waterproof and sandproof because of its abrasion-resistant and water-repellent tarpaulin (you may know this better as “tarp”) material and fully welded seams. It has a waterproof level of IPX-7 (IPX is a waterproof rating scale). The bag has multiple pockets, including a waterproof zipper front pocket, an internal zipper pocket, and two inner mesh pockets, to easily organize items. The large main compartment can hold everything you need for your trip. The bag is available in 60L and 80L sizes. The velcro large opening makes it easy to access gear and keep it dry and safe. Plus, with seven different color choices, you can show off your personality and stand out in the crowd (that’s what the company website says anyway…).
$55.99–$63.99 | miersports.com

Sporty’s Youth Flight Suit

For more than 60 years, Sporty’s Pilot Shop has been supplying and delivering high-quality products for pilots—everything from headsets to flight training courses and apparel. The Sporty’s Aviation Gifts division is like an online toy store, with aircraft models, home décor, gifts for kids, and holiday ornaments. If you’re looking for a fun gift for a new mom or dad, you can’t go wrong with a youngster’s flight suit. Modeled after real fighter pilot flight suits, the suits will make their child feel like a true aviator. Crafted from high-quality 60-percent cotton/40-percent polyester, this flight suit is built to withstand hours of play and exploration. It’s tough enough to handle even the most adventurous young pilots. Sizes from 4T (XXS) to 12 (XL). Features include six zippered pockets, Velcro tabs to adjust the waist, and zippered vents around the calves.
$49.99 | aviationgifts.com

OLight Oclip Clip Light with White and Red Light

There are so many products that make you realize you didn’t know you needed them. Do you know what I mean? And then you realize that sometimes something isn’t what it appears to be. Have I confused you enough to wonder what all that has to do with a flashlight? Now called a “lighting solution” (who knew), this little guy (1.91 inches) packs powerful illumination (300 Lumens) in a clip-on gizmo made of aluminum alloy. It also has a red light (4 Lumens) for night vision. According to the company website, users put this little light of theirs to good use for everything from camping, hiking, glove compartments, key rings…and we think aviators will make good use of this in the cockpit too.
$29.99 | olightstore.com

ArmorGlas Anti-Glare Screen Protectors

Do you ever experience difficulty seeing your screen on sunny days when you’re flying? ArmorGlas offers full clarity. ArmorGlas screen protectors’ anti-glare and anti-reflective qualities allow pilots to see their devices in even the harshest of light conditions. This anti-shatter, anti-scratch product from MyGoFlight offers 9H tempered glass, 3D Touch sensitivity, bubble-free technology, round border angles, and fingerprint proof film. According to MyGoFlight, ArmorGlas was developed with the highest standards for visibility and protection; each product has been tested for use in the most critical of environments; and is used by U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army, and U.S. Forest Service. Available for your phone or iPad.
$24.99–$49.99 | mygoflight.com

Aircraft Vibes Cessna 185 Silhouette Metal Wall Art

Pilots love to proclaim their passion. You can see it in their homes, their offices, and, of course, their hangars. From posters to wall art to silly sayings, most pilots have a flair for décor, at least in the sense of showing off what they love. This Cessna 185 metal silhouette wall art will give your hangar, office, or room a unique look that will catch the attention of any aviation enthusiast and will add a subtle touch to your interior design. Aircraft Vibes wall art is a unique addition to every aviation geek’s space. This could be a unique gift to any pilot. Metal arts are laser cut from 2-mm thickness steel, hand-polished, and powder-coated with a matte black finish. All the wall art from Aircraft Vibes include elevation screws, which lifts it 1.5 cm/0.6 inches away from the wall for a 3D feeling and hanging attachment on the back for easy mounting. Sizes range up to very large wall art and some designs are available in neon.
20-inch design $95.95 (larger sizes available) | aircraftvibes.com

Surviveware Survival First Aid Kit

This little number is a Boy Scout in a bag. The Surviveware Comprehensive Premium First Aid Kit is an essential emergency medical kit designed for travel, camping, and outdoor adventures, as well as home use. It features a ridiculously organized interior with high-quality medical supplies; there are labels for everything. Compact yet fully stocked, this kit is a must-have for safety and preparedness. According to the company: “We believe that being prepared is not just about having the right gear; it’s about having the confidence to face the unexpected with peace of mind.” Surviveware kits have an internal organization system that allows you to quickly locate and access essential items. The kit includes supplies that cover a wide range of situations, from minor injuries to life-threatening emergencies. If a kit can think of everything, this one has. Look, there’s even safety pins! This kit earned its Eagle Scout.
$49.99 | mysurviveware.com

Leatherman Wingman

There’s a multitool in the Surviveware kit but you might also consider Leatherman’s Wingman multipurpose equipment if for no other reason than its aviation name. Every pilot needs a wingman.
$69.95 | leatherman.com

FrSara A8 Neck Fan

Florida in the summer. Climate change. The Earth is getting hotter. Aging causes hot flashes. Whatever the reason, you are hot and in your aircraft and well, it’s not a Cirrus, so you’re a sweaty mess. What you need is a cooling fan. But you can’t plug in a fan or coyly wave a little fan in front of your face, so the FrSara A8 neck fan is your solution. This fan sorta looks like you have headphones casually draped around your neck, it’s quiet, and it won’t interfere with your headset. This bladeless portable neck fan offers 360-degree cooling with adjustable speeds, a 5200 mAh battery for four to 16 hours of use, and is quick charging.
$46.99 | frsarafan.com

Sporty’s General Aviation Short-Sleeve Shirt

I asked Branden Thompson, Sporty’s Pilot Shop’s manager of aviation gifts, for the top-selling “Hawaiian” shirt (what is it with pilots and their love for the Aloha shirt? AOPA staffers set aside a day each month when everyone wears theirs). Thompson recommended this bright blue airplane design as a favorite and the reviews on the company website attest to its popularity. Made of four-sided stretched easy-care polyester fabric, Sporty’s says this high-quality shirt is as good-looking as it is comfortable. Sublimated designs feature white airplanes, light blue propellers, and dark blue pilot wings on a blue background. Dressy as well as casual, it has a button-down collar and left chest pocket. Sizes range from small to triple X and the shirt looks good untucked. Reviews say it runs a little large and is boxy, but isn’t that why we love our Aloha shirts?
$29.99 | sportys.com

Flight Outfitters AOPA Airfoil Jacket

The Flight Outfitters AOPA Airfoil jacket keeps you warm without the bulk. Engineered for comfort in cooler conditions, it’s the packable adventure layer you’ve been searching for. Weighing in at under 2 pounds, the jacket is lighter than most sweatshirts but is rugged enough for your next backcountry mission. It’s insulated and quilted for extra comfort and features a water-repellent coating that shrugs off light rain and snow. This versatile jacket is designed to pack down into its own pocket when not in use, making it your go-anywhere layer. It has an internal zip pocket, drawcord hem that seals out cold drafts, two zippered hand pockets, a chest pocket perfect for your phone, and soft, fleece-lined collar.
$99.99 (limited time only) | flightoutfitters.com

Fitbit Inspire 3

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Everyone has a fitness tracker these days, so why this one? Well, the Fitbit Inspire 3 does all the cool things the watch is supposed to do, like tell time, track your sleep, your cardio, and your heart rate, but additionally for pilots in the flight levels, this Fitbit tracks your SpO2 levels—your blood oxygen. Tracking blood oxygen saturation tells you how well oxygen is distributed in your body, which can alert you to the first signs of hypoxia. Red and infrared sensors in the watch monitor blood levels. The Inspire 3 band is made of a comfortable silicon (similar to sports watches) and fastens with a plastic buckle and tang. The band is available in two sizes so you can gain or lose weight, or more obviously, share the watch with someone you love.
$99.95 | fitbit.com

“How do you say ‘I’m a pilot’ without actually saying it? Bingo.” —Chad Jones, managing editor

MyGoFlight Flight Bag PLC Commuter

The new PLC Commuter is the latest addition to MyGoFlight’s line of flight bags, which are engineered by pilots at the company think tank in Denver, Colorado. Made from rugged ballistic nylon, this bag is designed to fit the lifestyles of aviators and travelers “with both style and durability.” This is the ultimate grab-and-go bag built to securely hold flight essentials such as headset, laptop, or iPad and there’s a side pocket for a water bottle. At 11 inches tall by 14 inches wide, this is an easy carry-on if you must fly in those “other” airplanes. There’s an optional crossover strap if needed. Mesh pockets allow you to see your items inside. The Flight Bag PLC Commuter is designed by pilots for pilots, but MyGoFlight bags are not cheap. They are high-end products company president Dominic Martinez says are made with care for those who are ready for—and demand—the best.
$99 | mygoflight.com

Hatlight LED Beanie, Hands Free Headlamp USB Rechargeable Winter Flashlight Knitted Hat

This is another Chris Rose find and one that all our editors who helped review these products agreed is a game changer. Personally, I think it looks ridiculous, but I can see the advantage to having a hands-free light source and, since this is the second of the products in our guide that illuminate, seeing in the dark must be a desired superpower. There are three adjustable brightness settings; you can customize your lighting strength. With four lamp heads, the soft acrylic beanie provides focused light and a long lighting distance. The LED-powered beanie has a USB port for easy charging, compatible with tablet, car, and power bank charging. It takes about two hours to fully charge the LED beanie, providing up to eight hours of continuous lighting, according to the company. The beanie is available in 12 different colors.
$15.99 | amazon.com

“Perfect size for just the essentials.” —David Tulis, senior photographer

Nomex Touchscreen Compatible flying gloves

Fire-resistant flying gloves have been worn by U.S. military aviators since the 1960s, except the modern version (it is 2024!) shown here have a conductive fabric sewn into the tips (of both the left and right glove) of the middle finger, index finger, and thumb to allow for use with touchscreen devices. The palms are made from soft capeskin that gives pilots the fine sense of touch needed for flying. The back is made from a soft knit of fire-resistant synthetic aramid fiber that stretches so the gloves fit snugly. The gloves may be washed in warm water with a mild soap, rinsed thoroughly, and then stretched into shape. “Touchscreens are essential in aviation, but the downside is in winter you have to cut off the index finger of your glove,” said Dave Hirschman, editor at large. “This is an elegant solution; not one frozen finger.”
$56.75 | aircraftspruce.com

Stocking stuffers

Alaskan Bushwheels Hot Sauce

Airframes Alaska is the name most pilots think of when they are considering the Alaskan Bushwheels or any of the many products the company designs and manufactures for aviation. In addition to bushwheels, the company manufactures products such as wheels and brakes, fuselages, tailwheel assemblies, landing gear and suspensions, struts, flaps, and control surfaces. But Airframes recently changed its name and expanded its product line and is now the Alaska Gear Company. The company explores new products in its “lab.” There they experiment and test product ideas that support the Alaskan lifestyle and an adventuresome spirit. From tents to boots to luggage, dip nets, and even hot sauce, the Alaska Gear Co. offers products that it believes will appeal to its customer base—without losing the core element of its foundation: aviation. Add some Alaskan flavor to your meals with Alaskan Bushwheels hot pepper sauces. Choose from tangy-spicy Ground Loop, mild Hand Prop Hickory, or classic Cajun. Try each on different dishes like eggs, chicken, brisket, pulled pork, wings, and seafood gumbo. Get them all in a convenient backcountry combo pack with an included plastic travel bottle.
3-Pack $25 | alaskagearcompany.com

Garmin Watch-Charging Dongle

If Chris Rose is our tastemaker, Senior Photographer David Tulis is our gadget geek. Between the two of them, I don’t know how they pay their mortgages with everything they come up with to “try.” But Tulis recommends this little gizmo because one of the other things he is, is thorough. According to Tulis, the Garmin Aviator watch line takes a special cord that is easily forgotten or left behind. He says this inexpensive Garmin-type charging adapter “dongle” fits on a key ring and allows any USB-C cord to be converted to the special “Garmin-only” charger head. That way you’ll always have it, he says. And, by the way, he adds, the watch battery drains quickly when used in flight, so you’ll really need that special cable in your pocket or use this adapter instead. It’s made by a brand called Yuanhot and found on Amazon.
$9.99 | https://www.amazon.com/Charing-Connector-Adapter-Charging-Vivoactive/dp/B094QPM9GZ

Rite in the Rain All-Weather Notebook and Pen

There’s a scene in a movie in which a budding novelist is writing his tome by the side of a lake and all the papers he’s written his masterpiece on are blown into the water. I guess there could be the possibility that you are writing your memoir while flying your seaplane and you don’t want to lose your work to the wet. Pilots often find themselves in harsh conditions and questionable weather so your favorite pilot might appreciate the Rite in the Rain all-weather notebook and pens, from the JL Darling company of Takoma, Washington, which has been producing waterproof paper since 1916. The paper in the field-durable notebook sheds water, sweat, and mud and the all-weather pens make it possible. The waterproof paper came about because A PNW timber company had to do its tally of stacks of logs in sloppy weather and the movie is Love Actually. Hey, it is a holiday movie.
Notebook $9.95 | Pens $15.95 | riteintherain.com

“A great way to recycle general aviation history.” —Kollin Stagnito, editor in chief

PlaneTags

We met Dave Hall in 2017 at his MotoArt studio in Los Angeles. Back then he had just started a side company, PlaneTags. Hall had used a piece of an aircraft skin to make a luggage tag for himself, and a dog tag for his dog Milo. Milo was a dog about town inadvertently advertising the new product. On the oval surface of the tag is the name and specs of the aircraft the metal came from. On the flipside, the owner’s info. The tags are limited editions based on how much of the unflyable aircraft’s skin Hall has obtained at boneyards and salvage areas. He didn’t think of manufacturing the tags until one too many people remarked on Milo’s tag. Then he found an ancient industrial punch press and started feeding the skin into the beast. Out pops the oval disks that he then has laser-etched with the aircraft information. The tags are sold on individual cardboard displays that have a short history of the aircraft and several interesting facts Hall discovers. He’s scored aircraft skins from retired airliners, but also has skins from GA aircraft that are made into his lucrative side hustle.
$24.95 | planetags.com

Insignia Coasters from Warbird Aviation Art

Ohio-based artist Ron Kaplan turned his passion for nose art and the aircraft of World War II (his father was an instructor pilot on the B-25) into a creative venture. He has created original paintings, one-of-a-kind pieces, and aluminum panels featuring historic nose art. He expanded his line to include a variety of gift items, such as the special editions of custom-crafted barnwood coasters featuring authentic World War II unit insignia derived from his original artwork. These special edition sets of four stoneware coasters feature authentic World War II unit insignia derived from his original paintings.
$25 | warbirdaviationart.com