Finally, day twelve of The 12 Days of Christmas Pilot Gift Guide has arrived. We’ve seen some big wishes (sorry Vincent, I just can’t afford to buy that Cirrus SR-22 for you this year), we’ve seen some practical gifts, and we’ve seen affordable stocking-stuffers. For the final day of Christmas, allow me to suggest decorating the house with quality aviation artwork.

• Vintage Wooden Propellers. Every pilot and aviation enthusiast secretly wants a wooden propeller hanging from the wall. It’s a universal symbol of flight and bespeaks a simpler time where stick and rudder meant everything and barnstormers were regarded as hometown heroes.

• Aviation Art Prints. What better way to showoff your interest in aviation than bits of aviation artwork? I’m particularly fond of Jack Connelly’s classic World War II paintings. Sporty’s Wright Brothers’ Collection also features a great selection of art prints evoking the freedom of the golden age of general aviation.

• Warbird Nose Art. Looking for something to hang in the hangar or garage? Sporty’s comes through with their series of aviation nose-art panels. And for the real collector, you could get the Frenesi panel, personally signed by such legends as Chuck Yeager, Bud Anderson, Thomas Hayes, Arval Roberson, John Kirla, and Charles Weaver.

From all of the writers participating in the Twelve Days of Chistmas pilot gift guide, I’d like to wish you a Merry Christmas. Fly safe, and please – keep the ice off your wings!

Finding the perfect Christmas gift is a daunting task. And finding the right gift for a pilot can be next to impossible. That’s why six aviation bloggers have joined forces to ease your shopping woes with the Twelve Days of Christmas.

| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 |

Special thanks to Vincent from PlasticPilot.net for the idea.
And thanks to all the participating bloggers and pilots:
PlasticPilot, GolfHotelWhiskey, Making Time for Flying, Max Trescott, Fear of Landing, & AviationChatter

After a week of Christmas gift ideas for pilots, it’s time to acknowledge the aviation enthusiasts in the crowd. And what gift could be better than the gift of flight? No, I don’t mean a simple airplane ride, I’m talking about hooking your friend or significant other up with their very first flight lesson. For armchair aviators, a discovery flight at your local airport would make the perfect gift.

A discovery flight is a short and affordable flight in a training aircraft with a certificated flight instructor (CFI), and it’s an experience that won’t soon be forgot!

I still remember every detail of my first flight – some thirteen years ago: The smell of AvGas. The “wow this is really happening” feeling when I nervously pulled back on the controls and felt the wheels leave the earth. Even the view of my home and neighborhood from above. To say it was thrilling would be an understatement.

Thanks to the efforts of AOPA (The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association) and PilotJourney.com, it’s easier than ever to get started. AOPA pieced together a great multimedia resource for would-be pilots at the new Let’s Go Flying website, including a list of flight schools, frequently asked questions, and blogs.

But how do you get started with a discovery flight? It’s easy – find a local flight school and get a certificate online. It’s money well spent and the experience of a lifetime.

For more information on flight training, I suggest you also check out the free Learn to Fly eBook written by Max Trescott, the 2008 National CFI of the Year.

← The Fifth Day of Christmas | Happy Holidays | The Seventh Day of Christmas →