Shopping for someone who looks up every time a plane goes over? Whether they fly for a living, spend weekends at the airport fence with a long lens, or log more hours in a home flight simulator than anyone will admit to, there’s something here for them. This is our Christmas round-up of gifts for aviation lovers, from books and model kits to flight-sim gear, RC trainers, practical pilot kit and a bit of wall art.
“We haven’t tested these products ourselves. This roundup is based on manufacturer information, published specifications and owner reviews.”
We’ve left prices out on purpose, because they change daily and differ between countries. Check the current price and stock where you buy.
About our links: some links in this post are affiliate links. Right now that’s just the Airmodels links in the models section (marked “affiliate link”), so if you buy through one of them, PlanesNStuff may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It helps keep the blog flying, so thank you!
Most product links go to Amazon US and Amazon Australia. These are plain links, not affiliate links. Where a product isn’t listed on one of them, we link only the store that has it.
Books Every Aviation Lover Should Own
Stick and Rudder by Wolfgang Langewiesche
First published in 1944 and still in print, Stick and Rudder is the classic “why” book of flying. Its publisher, McGraw Hill, calls angle of attack “the invisible secret of all heavier-than-air flight”, and the book goes on to stalls, the landing approach, turns, and why the rudder doesn’t turn an aeroplane the way a boat’s rudder turns a boat. The publisher pitches it at learners, experienced pilots and instructors alike, and it’s a natural next read after our How Do Planes Fly? explainer.
Find it on Amazon: US | Australia
Fate Is the Hunter by Ernest K. Gann
Simon & Schuster describes Fate Is the Hunter as Gann’s classic pilot’s memoir of “the treacherous early days of commercial aviation”. First published in 1961, it puts you in the cockpit with the airline crews who flew when flying was anything but routine. Gann also wrote The High and the Mighty and Island in the Sky. It’s a great pick for anyone who loves a true story more than a technical manual.
Find it on Amazon: US | Australia
The Wright Brothers by David McCullough
For the history buff, The Wright Brothers is the much-loved biography of Wilbur and Orville Wright by historian David McCullough, published by Simon & Schuster. Pair it with our Golden Age of Biplanes post for the story of what came next.
Find it on Amazon: US | Australia
Mission Aviator by Matt Painter
For a modern flying story with heart, Mission Aviator: Flying for Life in Papua New Guinea collects Matt Painter’s experiences flying with Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) in Papua New Guinea. The blurb promises a front-seat “pilot’s-eye view” of medevacs and routine flights through challenging weather and mountainous terrain, endless changes of plan and even an engine failure. Along the way, you see the difference MAF flights make for people in remote communities with no roads. It’s sold through the MAF Gifts shop, which supports MAF Australia, and the listed price includes postage within Australia (overseas readers can email MAF to order).
Get it from MAF: MAF Gifts (Australia)
Models for the Shelf (and the Workbench)
Airfix Starter Set: Supermarine Spitfire Mk.Vc (A55001)
If they’ve never built a kit, start here. According to Airfix, this 1:72 scale Spitfire is a skill level 1 kit with 26 parts, and it comes with water-based acrylic paints, glue, a brush, decals and a “shadow-effect” display stand. Finished, the wingspan is 157 mm (about 6.2 in). Airfix says it’s not suitable for children under 8 and should be built under adult supervision, so it suits a keen youngster and a grown-up working on it together.
Find it on Amazon: US | Australia
Corgi Aviation Archive die-cast models
Prefer something ready-made? Corgi’s Aviation Archive range features 1:72 and 1:48 scale die-cast aircraft, “including displays and optional parts”, in Corgi’s words. Choose a type with a personal connection: the aircraft they trained on, worked on, or always stop for at an airshow.
British Airways Concorde (1:400 die-cast) from Airmodels
For a desk-sized icon, it’s hard to beat Concorde. Going by the Airmodels listing (we haven’t handled one ourselves), this British Airways Concorde is a 1:400 scale die-cast metal model, 20 cm (7.8 in) from nose to tail with a 9 cm (3.5 in) wingspan. It arrives ready to display, with no painting or assembly needed, and comes with a display stand and detachable landing gear. Small enough for a crowded office shelf, it’s a lovely nod to supersonic history.
See it at Airmodels (affiliate link)
XL Qantas Boeing 747 (1:150 resin) from Airmodels
Want something with real shelf presence? The 747 is a true icon, and in Qantas colours it’s a natural pick for Aussie avgeeks. According to the Airmodels listing, this extra-large model is made from resin at 1:150 scale, with a 44 cm (17.25 in) wingspan and a 47 cm (18.5 in) length. It has detachable, rotating rubber landing gear and sits on a metal display stand with a mahogany-look base. It’s a big one, so check there’s room on the shelf before you wrap it. Airmodels says it ships worldwide.
See it at Airmodels (affiliate link)
Flight Simulator Gifts
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024
The sim itself makes a great gift for anyone who hasn’t got it yet. The official site lists it on PC (Microsoft Store and Steam), Xbox Series X|S, and PS5 and PS5 Pro, as well as through Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass. Check which platform they use before you buy.
Find it on Amazon: Xbox and Windows PC digital code: US · PS5: US | Australia
Logitech G Flight Yoke System
For the simmer who mostly flies light aircraft and airliners, a yoke feels far more like the real thing than a gamepad. Logitech G says its Flight Yoke System pairs the yoke with a throttle quadrant and has five axes in total, a stainless steel elevator and aileron shaft, and 25 programmable buttons and switch positions. Two desk clamps are in the box. Logitech lists Windows PC compatibility, so it’s a PC gift, not a console one.
Find it on Amazon: US | Australia
Thrustmaster T.Flight Hotas One (Microsoft Flight Simulator Edition)
If they fly on an Xbox, or would like a stick instead of a yoke, Thrustmaster’s officially licensed joystick and throttle is plug-and-play on PC and Xbox Series X|S. Thrustmaster lists five axes, 14 buttons, a detachable throttle and two ways to control the rudder (twist the stick or use the tilting lever on the throttle). It weighs about 2 kg (4.5 lb) and is aimed at beginner and casual simmers.
Find it on Amazon: US | Australia
RC and Drone Starter Ideas
RealFlight Evolution RC flight simulator
Crashing on a screen is free. Crashing a real model isn’t, which is why a simulator is such a smart first step. RealFlight Evolution from Horizon Hobby is sold with or without the Spektrum InterLink DX controller and needs a Windows 10 or 11 PC. Its Steam page lists more than 300 aircraft (planes, helicopters and drones) at over 75 flying sites, and an October 2026 update added a New User Tutorial for complete beginners. The software needs a controller to run, so the bundle is the easier gift.
Find it on Amazon: US | Australia
HobbyZone AeroScout S 2 (RTF Basic)
Ready to fly for real? Horizon Hobby describes the AeroScout S 2 as a 1.1 m (about 43 in) skill level 1 trainer with SAFE technology “that helps to prevent crashes”. The RTF Basic version includes a Spektrum DXS transmitter and a copy of RealFlight Trainer Edition. The battery and charger are not included: you’ll need a 3S 11.1 V LiPo (1300–2200 mAh, EC3 or IC3 connector) and a compatible LiPo charger, so budget for those too. A local model flying club can help with those first flights.
Find it on Amazon: US (not listed on Amazon Australia at the time of writing)
A first drone: what to check before you buy
Small camera drones are popular gifts, but the rules matter, and they differ between countries. Rather than name one model here, we’ll be covering beginner drones properly in our upcoming drone guides. Until then, here’s what to check:
- Weight: a drone that weighs less than 250 g (0.55 lb) keeps things simplest.
- Australia: CASA’s Know Your Drone rules say you don’t need to register a drone you fly for fun, but you must stay below 120 m (about 400 ft), keep at least 30 m (about 100 ft) from other people, fly only in daylight and always keep the drone in sight.
- United States: the FAA’s recreational flyer rules require registration for drones of 250 g (0.55 lb) or more (those must also broadcast Remote ID), and every recreational flyer must pass the free TRUST test and carry proof of it. Fly at or below 400 ft (about 120 m) in uncontrolled airspace.
- US availability: the FCC added foreign-made drones to its Covered List in December 2025, so new foreign-made models can’t be authorised for sale. Previously authorised models can still be sold and flown, but check that the model you want is actually available.
Practical Gear for Pilots
ASA VFR Kneeboard (KB-1-A)
A kneeboard straps to the thigh and keeps charts, notes and a pen within reach in a small cockpit. ASA’s VFR Kneeboard is brushed aluminium with an elastic leg strap, a pen or pencil holder and a 4-3/4 in (12 cm) metal clip. It also has VFR quick-reference information printed on the board. That information is based on US (FAA) rules, so for Australian pilots it’s more of a handy writing board than a reference.
Find it on Amazon: US | Australia
Headsets and flight bags
A good aviation headset is high on many pilots’ wish lists, but it’s also a very personal choice (fit, weight, passive or active noise reduction, and the right plugs for their aircraft). Our detailed headset guide for student pilots is on its way. If they already have a headset, a padded flight bag to carry it, the kneeboard and a logbook is a safe, useful gift.
Experience Gifts: Flights and Airshows
Sometimes the best gift isn’t in a box.
- A trial flight (Australia): CASA describes a trial instruction flight as usually a 30-minute flight with an instructor who shows you the basics and lets you take the controls. Many flying schools sell gift vouchers, and Recreational Aviation Australia offers Flight Training School Gift Vouchers for its schools.
- Young Eagles (United States): EAA’s Young Eagles program gives young people aged 8 to 17 a free introductory flight with volunteer pilots. It costs nothing, but booking a flight together makes a lovely “voucher” for a young avgeek.
- Avalon 2027 (Australia): the Avalon Australian International Airshow returns from 23 to 28 February 2027 at Avalon Airport near Geelong, Victoria. The public program starts on Friday 26 February, and the organisers say tickets go on sale through Ticketek in November 2026. Tickets in a Christmas card? Perfect.
- EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2027 (United States): EAA has confirmed 26 July to 1 August 2027 for the week-long AirVenture at Oshkosh, Wisconsin.
Aviation Art for the Hangar, Office or Den
Finally, a little something from our own studio. These are our own designs, sold through our Charis Digistore shop on Etsy:
- “I’m Not Old, I’m a Classic” biplane poster: a polished chrome vintage biplane in front of a retro striped sunset. A cheeky gift for the dad, grandad or pilot who’s proudly a vintage model.
- Stearman Biplane in Flight printed poster: a blue and yellow Kaydet, number 207, in flight above the clouds. It’s the same aircraft type we celebrated in our Boeing-Stearman Kaydet post.
- Stearman Biplane digital download: the same artwork as an instant download to print at home or at a local print shop. Handy for last-minute gifts, with no shipping wait.
Happy Landings This Christmas
The best gifts for aviation lovers connect with the flying they already love: a book for the armchair pilot, a kit for the builder, a yoke for the simmer, a first RC trainer for the backyard flyer, or a day at an airshow for anyone who still waves at planes.
Want more? Follow PlanesNStuff on YouTube for aviation Shorts. God bless you with blue skies!
