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Holiday Gift Guide
by Sean Fulton
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 TORGOEN T1 FLIGHT COMPUTER SWISS CHRONOGRAPH
Leave it to the Swiss to come up with a sophisticated yet elegant time piece that is also an invaluable aviation tool. Featuring full E6B capabilities, this watch comes in several face and band combinations for a truly personal casual watch that is water resistant to 10 M. Trust us, this is one watch that the aviator in your life won’t be able to live without. And at $299, he or she won’t have to. 
LOST SQUADRON SHIRTS CAPS AND STUFF
For some of the finest aviation casual wear available, find shirts and caps from the Lost Squadron (www.lostsquadron.com). These minimalist silhouettes of famous aircraft are silk-screened or sewn onto high-quality colored T-shirts and caps, subtly announcing your aviation connection in a classy, understated way. Prices vary by product, but shirts are generally under $25 each.
 WOMEN FLY POLARTEC FLEECE
If you’re into branded products, toss the Tommy Hilfiger and grab a warm, Polartec fleece pullover from Women Fly, a company dedicated to recognizing the history of women in aviation through clothing and design. Products vary by price and can be purchased at www.womenfly.com
GARMIN GPSMAP 196
 This is a great gift for any pilot from newly-licensed renter to one flying the latest glass cockpit aircraft. The GPSMAP 196 provides many of the capabilities of more expensive, installed units in a portable package that can be removed from the airplane. And because it runs on batteries in addition to aircraft power, it provides a capable independent backup system for even the most sophisticated, glass-panel cockpit. Reasonably priced at about $1,000.
Attention Holiday Shoppers
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Pilot shops are an enigma in retailing. While many are located at or near airports, others are rooted in obscure locations that pilots actively seek out. The store near our airport is so remote that some pilots have its coordinates programmed into their handheld GPS units to help them find it again.
Aviation merchandise is usually highly specialized and specific. Certain items need to be certified by the FAA for use in the airplane, such as maps and charts to be used “for navigation.” But pilots also use a number of good reference books and chart volumes in addition to certified merchandise to make the trip more enjoyable.
When making your selections, use a little common sense. Urine bags and the like might be a thoughtful gift for someone who flies long legs cross-country. But don’t buy them for someone who makes their living as an instructor or airline pilot unless it’s some sort of inside joke.
As a rule, products meant to be used in flight should be uncomplicated, lightweight, easy to pack and unpack, and, above all, rugged. If a product is intended to be attached to the airplane, contact your aircraft mechanic to make sure it is appropriate, or even legal, to have it installed.
Your local pilot shop usually will be able to help you figure out how to differentiate between a truly useful piece of equipment and a piece of trendy junk, so when you go to the store, don’t be shy about explaining what you want or asking lots of questions.
The beauty of the Internet is that there are now more places for you to shop and compare prices. Most of the products listed in this guide can be purchased on line at a number of retail outlets, or directly from the manufacturer. The downside of online shopping if you are unfamiliar with aviation products is that you won’t have someone helping you weigh the alternatives and make your decision.
Good independent online retailers with solid reputations in the aviation community include www.avshop.com, www.pilotmall.com, www.uswings.com, and www.pilotshopworld.com. With a nod toward the holidays, www.pilotmall.com has set up an area on its Web site where the aviator in your life can put items on his or her “wish list” that family members can see and purchase.
Some people will go to the local retail store for advice on a product and then buy it online to get a better price. Please don’t do this. Local pilot shops support the aviation community in that area, and most of the people who run them don’t get rich off the enterprise. If you’ve seen a better price for a product online, tell the retailer and give them a chance to match or beat the price. After all, they’ve done the hard work of educating you about the product, and they’ll be there to help you with it should a problem arise.
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