50 Cool Gifts For Pilots: That Will Spin Their Propellers

For the aviation enthusiast, there is this stylish and functional whiskey decanter safely housed in a model airplane, complete with two hand-blown glasses. The liquor is even extracted via a spout on the bottom of the plane. A great way to honor the beauty inherent in airplanes, especially when they house a fine whiskey.

A wonderful choice as a gift for a burgeoning pilot or aviation school newbie, this Born To Fly hoodie will keep them warm and show off a classic bush plane. They’ll be able to toss this comfortable gift into their flight bag, luggage or wear it proudly as they clock up the hours towards becoming an official pilot.

When a pilot has to run an errand, they have to get behind the wheel of a…car. What a downer. Help them deal with the hours spent outside of the cockpit with this funny and apt license plate frame that reads “Life Is Better Flying.” It fits nicely on either license plate, so others will know who the pilot is whether they’re coming or going.

A pilot’s kneeboard is a lifesaver. The board is used to place over the knee so that the pilot can have use of their iPad, flight book, or other materials during flight. This particular kneeboard is more compact, so it works great for an aviation student in training, helicopters, and planes with the control stick located between the legs. Make a pilot happy and more organized at the same time!

This airplane bottle opener is a great way to add a party favor to a wedding when one or two pilots are tying the knot. The shiny little plane will open bottles or just look adorable on the desk of a pilot, air force veteran, or aviation enthusiast.

This is a gift for aviation lovers who crave something beautiful for their home that reflects their love for flying. This handcrafted table lamp is made from an actual vintage runway light that shined so planes could safely hit the ground. The gift for pilots is a heartfelt way for a retiring pilot to give a good home to a retired beacon of light.

It might seem a cliche to wear aviator sunglasses as a pilot, but it is a necessary part of any pilot’s travel kit. With 100% UV protection (which is necessary since UV rays increase the higher up from the ground one ascends), the sunglasses also reduce the fatigue associated with the hard sunlight one might find at 10,000 feet. Oh, and they’ll look as cool as they dreamed they would when becoming a pilot.

When a child has a pilot for a dad or a mom (or just dreams of becoming a pilot), they will enjoy this awesome Top Gun board game for players 10 and up. The whole family can take on the well-known characters in the film and team up to complete combat training. A fun night for any aviation family.

For the true aviation lover comes this darling retro-style blackout curtain for any room at home. The kicker? The curtain has a bunch of cute vintage airplanes flying here and there. Whether a child’s bedroom, a guest room for a pilot friend, or a whole home decked out in aviation curtains, this airplane-themed home decor is a sweet way to add a little flight to any home surrounding.

A good gift for a pilot dad or husband, this set of pint glasses and matching coasters are a wonderful addition to any home bar. The glass is durable and each glass has a different aviation-themed design, including an altitude meter and a soaring plane. Your favorite pilot will enjoy the look and feel of the glasses and be thankful that the coasters will keep things nice and tidy.

A very cool, retro way to decorate the home of a pilot, soon-to-be pilot, or wannabe pilot. The vintage crafted metal airplane propeller houses a well-designed wall clock. The sleek industrial look adds a touch of aviator to any room in the house and represents the pilot profession with style.

An amazing 3D lamp that acts as a night light, this gorgeous airplane image shines in a soft, golden light to illuminate the bedside of the child of a pilot or the pilot themselves. Keep a lover of the skies dreaming of being up and away and into the clouds, even when they are stuck at home. This 3D visual airplane light is a really meaningful gift for aviation lovers everywhere.

There is hardly any gift for pilots out there that holds as much importance as a good flight bag. If pockets were like assistants, this flight bag would provide an entire team of well-organized assistance to any pilot before entering the cockpit. With ample compartments for the large (headsets, flight plan) to the small (flashlight, pens), the bag is a handsome, durable way to make sure each flight is a success.

A unique little addition to any home, this paperweight for home office is made from a spark plug and other recycled materials to form the world’s most adorable little airplane. What they get is the perfect quirky gift idea for pilots who need a little help keeping their old flight plans from blowing away.

A pilot’s worst nightmare is being trapped in a situation where bathrooms are not present or working. Even so, any pilot’s mind will be at ease when they can’t stop laughing long enough to worry. The laughter will begin the moment you give your favorite pilot this disposable urinal. The “urinal” turns any liquid waste both odorless and non-toxic. A gag gift with possible purpose!

A Dopp bag may be just what the pilot in your life needs these days. Tactical tools aside, any commercial pilot who flies on a regular basis needs a good Dopp bag, otherwise known as a grooming or toiletry bag. This hanging bag is built to last with multiple compartments and refillable bottles, so any pilot will be ready for whatever they’ve got planned after the flight.

Where does a pilot or aviation lover keep all of their favorite aeronautical books? If you’ve noticed a messy pile of books in their home, you can add a little flying style to their collection with these homey airplane bookends. Made of wood and pewter, the bisected biplane will improve any book collection and show any pilot that you care about their books just as much as you care about them.

Safety is always in the back of a pilot’s mind. Even flying for the best commercial airlines doesn’t render any pilot immune from the possibility of an emergency situation. One of the most useful gift ideas for pilots that includes multiple components is this emergency survival gift. Including everything from a military knife, wire saw, compass, and so much more, this kit will keep a pilot busy and prepared.

A good way to show a pilot that you want them to have a comfortable flight is to provide them with a personalized high-flying airplane tumbler. Engraved with their name, the tumbler will keep their favorite beverage hold or cold. They will make sure not to forget themselves or their airplane tumbler when next deplaning.

For the aviator who craves the artisan quality of a well-built plane, these mechanical paper plane launchers leave the folded pieces of paper made as a child behind. Instead, these planes are exquisite enough to keep in any pilot’s home or have a fun afternoon setting them up and launching them into the air.

Any pilot worth their salt is only as dependable as their headset. If your boyfriend, husband, or loved one is just finishing training, starting them off with a top-notch headset is the best gift you can offer. This aviation headset is ideal for noise reduction and for being heard clearly over the mic. Comfort and ability are key and this headset will prepare any new or experienced pilot for triumphant flights to come.

A well-crafted wristwatch is the secret weapon of any good pilot. This Seiko pilot watch is an accomplished chronograph that features both a gorgeous display and can be utilized as a stopwatch. The dependable Seiko name and quartz movement will sit perfectly on any pilot’s wrist, help calculate flight speeds, and guide them through all kinds of skies with classic style.

A lovely addition to any bar, this silver nickel bottle holder in the shape of an airplane fits nicely between glasses and bottles to improve the look and feel of any aviation lover’s home bar. Visitors and guests will love to talk about and touch the airplane that is holding whatever bottle of wine is on display. Add a little airplane style to every bar and watch the fun begin.

Most pilots have learned to have a good sense of humor. Let them know you appreciate them and make them laugh at the same time with a pilot wall sign that lets all who read it know the rules of being a pilot, including “the pilot is ready when he is ready,” as well as many others. This wall sign will remind all that pilots are just people who know how to fly planes!

Any active or former private in the air force will love this tasteful set of six prints of vintage military airplanes. The high-quality paper and hand-crafted designs will leave the pilot you know, speechless at the retro power of their multiple details. Add some vintage style to the home of any current or former pilot, military or commercial with this homage to the great fighter and pursuit planes of their day.

The ultimate in flashlights for a pilot, whether in the cockpit or stuck in an uncomfortable situation on the ground, this tactical flashlight has it all. A red light meant for seeing flight controls when there is no light, night vision, and a zoom that is adjustable will all keep any pilot prepared for the unexpected with confidence and know how.

Any new pilot will tell you that they need few things as much as a good quality handheld radio. Flying a plane is no small thing and, when things go wrong, a solid means of communication is held up above all things. This handheld radio is easy to use, easy to see with backlit buttons, and offers great audio when speaking, listening, and using to make it successfully through every flight.

There aren’t many places at home where a pilot can show off their love of planes better than a throw pillow, is there? This throw pillow includes a gorgeous, blueprint-style design of a plane that settles into any design style with gusto. The handmade charm of this pillow will serve as a reminder that pilots, whether male or female, have great taste in planes and in home decor.

The right knife can mean the difference between a bad situation and a bad situation made better. This survival knife is made for the pilot’s life, able to act as both a window breaker and seatbelt cutter. It also contains an LED flashlight and is as dependable as a good friend who knows how to survive the most harrowing situations. The great design and build will become any pilot’s best friend.

You can’t get a pilot or lover of planes enough plane-themed items for their home or bar. These airplane ice cube trays are an adorable way to pep up an ordinary beverage and make it into something more exciting and more…aeronautical. The silicone molds make solid ice cubes that will have a plane soaring through any beverage it dips its wings into.

Is there any way an airline pilot can work his love for flying into his wedding day? There is now with this thoughtful gift for pilots, a necktie full of airplanes soaring around its stitched fabric. Beyond the groom, this tie makes a wonderful addition to any number of groomsmen’s suits. Support a pro-aviation wedding today with this sweet, quality airplane lovers’ tie.

Another whimsical gift for pilots, this pilot parking sign is made of metal and can hang in any wannabe pilot’s room, especially if that one-day pilot is a teenage boy or child. You can’t go wrong with a classic “pilot parking only” sign, which also makes a great accent to an office, den, or man cave.

Of the few indispensables for a new pilot or one who is depended upon by others (which is all pilots), a first-class flight computer can mean the difference between a good flight and a great one. This flight computer has multiple functions yet remains easy to use. Time zones are covered and extras include a timer and stopwatch. The computer can even be given to use as a tool for the commercial pilot’s exam.

Every pilot, whether military, commercial, or private needs to keep a solid navigational plotter in their flight bag. This plotter is durable and uses a scale reference to calculate miles. A practical tool for pilots, this navigational plotter will keep their eye on the horizon with preciseness and clarity.

Pilots are still travelers and have the same needs as the rest of us when it comes to packing their bags and securing what is precious to them from destination to destination. A well-built luggage lock will keep all that they hold dear safe and sound until touchdown and beyond. This cable luggage lock is made from zinc alloy and uses a 3 dial combination to ensure a secure journey through the skies.

The one drawback of being a pilot is having to sit in the same, sometimes uncomfortable chair for hours and hours on end. The hips, low back, and glutes all suffer from this seated monotony. There’s no shame in getting your favorite pilot a well-made seat cushion to comfort their coccyx during flight. The cooling gel and non-slip surface will keep their muscles and nerves in good shape until deboarding the plane.

Every pilot needs their off time. Whenever they are home kicking their feet up in their private office or in front of the television, you can make sure they have the right pair of socks on. A wonderful Christmas or birthday gift, these “Do Not Disturb / This Pilot Is Off Duty” socks speak volumes for those hard-working flyers who just need a little time to decompress before taking to the skies again.

If you know a helicopter aficionado that maintains a well-stocked bar, then this whiskey decanter is for you (for them). Attached to the spout inside the attractive globe-shaped decanter is a glass helicopter seemingly soaring upwards. To go along with the well-designed decanter are four glass with a silhouette of a world map on each one. The world can belong to helicopter pilots, one drink at a time.

Lovers of planes and aviation might agree that you can’t have too many airplane themed objects in the home. Add another into the life of your lover of flying with this wine cork shaped like an airplane. A quirky addition to any home, the cork turns by twisting its propeller and is comfortable to use. Each bottle will remind them of their favorite thing in the world: airplanes.

Each pilot likes to keep a log of where they’ve been. They can’t always open up a journal or revisit each location all the time. This colorful map is so special because it allows the user to scratch off each physical location that they’ve stepped foot onto. It can be displayed on any wall, so the importance of each place will never be forgotten no matter how much time has passed in-between visits.

Whether you know someone who is an active pilot, a retired commercial pilot for Continental Airlines, or a frequent flyer/aviation lover who just lives and breathes airline-themed gifts, you’ve got a terrific little present with this Continental Airlines case for iPhones. Able to be customized for multiple models, the case is a stylish way to show off a love of flying.

Every solid profession needs an equally solid (and funny) t-shirt. This “Because I’m The Captain – That’s Why” t-shirt is one of the easiest gift ideas for pilots around. Lightweight and breathable, the plane design is classic, and the shirt is a great way for any pilot to let the world know that they are the captain of their ship (when it’s a plane).

Is it important to get the perfect gift for a pilot or aviation fan? Yes, but the gift could truly knock it out of the sky when it’s wrapped inside this brilliant Boeing gift wrap. The strong gift wrapping paper displays the dimensions of a Boeing plane in all its glory. A double whammy for airplane lovers, the specialized gift wrap may just end up being their favorite part of the present.

Even pilots need to fly commercial sometimes as a passenger. With their usual hyper-organization and attention to detail, they will appreciate a gift that prepares them for the great challenge of sleeping in a plane seat and keeping the crying babies at bay. An eye mask, earplugs, and lots of other extras make this travel kit a great way to improve airline travel for pilots when they are not at the helm.

Just as a pilot needs a flight bag and secure luggage, they carry a bunch of power cords, chargers, batteries, and the like for their many aviation gadgets. This travel case is focused on storing and organizing all manner of electronics for travel. Why force a pilot to reach around various bags when they can have one all to themselves for any of their electronic accessories and even charge a phone when in flight?

Some bracelets look good. This utility bracelet looks good and serves as a multipurpose tool, ideal for any pilot when taking off into the blue. They will be thankful you were thinking of their safety when they see this bracelet that has both a screwdriver and a knife that can be used for detailed work or just opening an envelope. Everything is in one place and it looks pretty cool too.

A good flight bag is one thing in a pilot’s life, but wait until you see the surprised, delighted look on their face when you give them a bag made just for their beloved headset. This “Pilot” embossed aviation bag for an aviator’s headset is the ideal place to keep the precious pilot cargo. With padding to offer protection and pockets for organization, the pilot you know will be set for years to come.

A keychain is a nice trinket to add to any gift basket, but this keychain is made solely for pilots. It reads, “My Other Car Is A Plane.” When having to be forced behind the wheel of a car, they will love the fact that you knew how much they wished to be at the helm of an airplane.

A clock hangs on a wall in a home, but does it reflect the love for flying of its owner? This clock does. The Altimeter wall clock is built to look like an actual altimeter found in the cockpit of a plane. It doesn’t actually measure altitude but tells the time at ground level accurately and with an eccentric charm.

Some pilots take the notion of art into the skies with them when they fly. They can use this mount for a GoPro camera and hook it up to the inside or outside of an airplane. The mount is made from super sturdy, aircraft-proof aluminum that will keep GoPro steady and ready to record the ups and downs of the entire journey through the clouds.