What Christmas gift to give aviation enthusiasts?

Christmas is approaching, and it's time to scratch your head to find the perfect gift idea for your loved ones. Do you have aviation enthusiasts in your circle? Beginner or experienced pilots? Here's a small guide to the best ideas, ones that are sure to make people happy under the tree.

1. Experienced Pilot: Aviation Equipment That Always Needs Updating

Aviator Watches: Elegance on the Wrist

This is the gift that will always hit the mark: a pilot can never have "too many" watches! These precision accessories, as much for elegance as functionality, are an integral part of the history and culture of aviators.
Our suggestions: why not the D2 Air X10 connected watch, specially configured for pilots, with features like flight information recording and the ability to make calls without letting go of the control yoke? Or, in the same category but from the higher-end range, Garmin's Mach 1, with its bright touchscreen and advanced flight tools?
If your favorite pilot is already equipped with their dream connected accessory, or if your budget is a bit more limited, check out one of the beautiful pieces from AVI-8. These more classic watches pay tribute, through their aesthetics, to some iconic aircraft from the British aircraft manufacturer Hawker, especially those that shone during World War II. Add in the precision of the mechanism and chronograph, and you'll understand that no pilot will resist this perfect gift.

Flight Boards: The Useful Little Item

If you don't plan to spend too much but still want to offer something "useful," opt for a flight board. Our catalog has more than 40 products, and we recommend brands like Dimatex or Design 4 Pilot. These small boards, which attach to the thigh, help the pilot stay organized during their flight.
For taking notes, keeping their smartphone or tablet always accessible, this item is practical, and each model is tailored for a different use. From a simple board at 15 euros to a sophisticated model designed specifically for fighter pilots, including leather models or ones sized for your electronics, you're sure to find something perfect to give.

Flight Logbook: The Must-Have

Since every pilot must record their flight hours to justify their experience and level, a flight logbook is an accessory that should never be missing. For less than 18 euros, give the reference logbook for European pilots certified by EASA.
If you're playing Santa for a gliding enthusiast, there's also a special version for gliders.

Aviation Headsets: The Classic

Looking for a high-end gift more essential than a watch? Your pilot will appreciate the ultimate accessory for every aviator: their active noise reduction (ANR) headset. The big classics in this category, which are sure to please, are definitely the Bose A20 or the Delta Zulu.
If you want to know everything about the subject before making this purchase, we explain everything you need to know to choose the right aviation headset.

Luggage: The Pilot's Signature

To show off a "pilot's style" even on the ground, nothing beats traveling with luggage signed by Lightspeed. The elegance of leather, compartments designed to hold a helmet, radio, smartphone, flight documents, cables, and everything the pilot needs... The bags in this beautiful collection come in different versions or sizes. The one your pilot dreams of is definitely available.

2. Young Pilot: Santa's Little Boost

They are taking their first lessons, about to pass their pilot's license, or they keep talking about their dream to fly... It's time to encourage this young or future pilot by giving them their first equipment. Depending on their progress, you have several options.

Aviation Manuals to Get Started

For younger ones, a good way to get them started is to encourage them to learn the basics of aeronautics. The perfect Christmas gift could be a BIA Pack, which prepares young people who are not yet old enough to fly to familiarize themselves with the many concepts they need to understand before moving to the practical side.
A step up, when starting flight training, is the theoretical part of the pilot’s license or PPL: gift your little Mermoz with the pilot's manual set containing all the necessary books.
Or, if they are aiming for lighter aircraft, opt for the ULM pilot manual.
And if you want to better understand at which stage of learning they are to avoid mistakes, check out our article that details how to become a professional pilot.

Aviation Headset: A Symbolic Step

For a beginner pilot, owning their own aviation headset can be an important symbolic step: it’s the first material investment, the one that truly identifies the pilot.
At this stage, we recommend the David Clark H10-13.4, the unbeatable bestseller in passive noise reduction headsets. But if you don’t want to follow the crowd, don’t miss our article that guides you through buying a headset for beginners.

Tools for Navigation

On a small budget but still want to please your budding pilot? Check out our navigation equipment section: you'll find useful small gifts like protractors and rulers, which they can use to prepare their flights. A little bit of math ahead!

The Pilot’s Outfit Under the Tree

While they’re dreaming of being a pilot, they might as well look the part. Our flight suits will make a highly appreciated gift. And since there’s no age limit for dreaming of taking the controls of a jet or fighter plane, they come in all adult and child sizes and can equip the whole family...

3. Aviation Enthusiast: Keep the Dream Alive

You might also have people in your circle who dream of aviation, who know the Top Gun movie by heart, or who wouldn't miss the spectacular meetings of the Patrouille de France for anything... but prefer to admire them from the ground. In this case, forget about aviation headsets or manuals. We’ve got just what you need...

For Living Room Pilots: Flight Simulator

One option, especially for those who are also video game enthusiasts, is to explore the range of flight simulation games. The idea: from your living room, you fly on your screen as if you were in the cockpit of an Airbus or a fighter jet.
In addition to the game itself, you’ll also find a great selection of accessories in our store to enhance the player’s experience: joysticks, throttle controls, pedals… These are all items that will make gamers happy at Christmas!

Aviation-Style Christmas

You’ll also find many accessories in our online store to complete the "aviator" look for your loved ones.
From the keychain adorned with a little "Remove before flight" flame - discreet but chic! - to the very high-quality backpack from the specialized brand Dimatex, or other items from this beautiful luggage line.
In the same vein, make your loved ones happy with all sorts of products featuring the Patrouille de France logo. Caps, patches, bags, T-shirts, pens... Let yourself be inspired!

Unforgettable Flight Experiences

Rather than a physical object, if you want to offer a truly memorable experience, slip an invitation to a baptism of the air, a helicopter ride, a parachute jump, or a hot air balloon ride under the tree… Many websites offer these types of outings and trips: for example, Baptême de l'air, which lists various options all over France, or Wingly, a sort of Blablacar for aviation, where many pilots offer scenic flights, aerial tours, or shared trips.
For something more original, with Ifly, invite your loved ones to experience (risk-free!) freefall, thanks to the combination of virtual reality and a wind tunnel where they can feel the simulated sensation of a real plane jump.
Even crazier (but also more expensive), take them to space at Bordeaux-Mérignac airport, with an incredible "space" simulation experience. This is what AirZeroG offers, whose main activity is preparing space flights or welcoming scientific research, but which is also open to curious people who dream of space exploration.

Still undecided? Hesitant about the price? Take a look at the gift ideas section of our online store. We’ve thought of everything: aviation gift ideas are categorized by your budget.
You're all set for success in your "Santa of aviators" mission!
Even better: simplify your life by giving a Bayo.com gift card. You can choose the amount you want… and you’ll be sure to get it right.