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Holiday Gift Guide: 50 Cool Gifts For The Ultimate Aviator
by Sean Fulton
‘It's that time of year again, time for family and friends to start scurrying from store to store trying to find the perfect gift for the pilot or aspiring pilot in the family — with little idea what to buy. Let's face it: Mom doesn't know you need a panel-mounted stand-by attitude indicator, and even if she did, the odds that she be able to find a place that sells one are kind of remote.
So again this year, we've put together a list of great holiday gifts that anyone can buy for the aviator in their lives, even if they know nothing about flying. We put together a list of 50 great gift ideas at all price ranges, each of which is sure to please anyone with a love of all things aviation.
Pilots, do your families a favor this year. Once you've read through the list and enjoyed it thoroughly, take a few moments to check off the items on our Holiday Wish List, that you would like someone to leave under your tree. Then leave the list in some conspicuous place — say, the refrigerator door, or taped to the family television screen.
Then a quick trip to your local pilot shop, or a few clicks of the mouse online, and you’ll have one of the most challenging purchases of this holiday season well behind you.
You will be amazed at how well your family and friends can take a hint, and they'll be relieved to know they got you a gift that you need and want.
 TUBBIE BATH TOY
You won't be able to pry your kids out of the tub if you get them this vinyl Yankee Clipper sea plane. Hours of fun, yet it's only about two inches by six inches and makes a squeaking sound when it's squeezed. Just $4 from pilotmart.net.
ERASABLE HIGHLIGHTERS
These clever, erasable highlighters are not only highly visible on charts and sectionals, they erase completely without destroying the paper. The Marvy Erasable Fluorescent Highlighters come with one of four colors on the highlighter end, and an "eraser” tip that dispenses a clear liquid ink eraser fluid on the other. Colors are yellow, orange, pink and blue. All four colors work well on IFR charts; for VFR charts, the preferred color is pink. Makes a great stocking stuffer for just $2 each from pilotshopusa.com.
 ARTIE THE AIRPLANE CHILDREN'S ADVENTURE BOOK
Capt. Chuck Harman, a designated pilot examiner for American Airlines, is the author and illustrator of the Artie The Airplane series. The books feature illustrated airplane characters such as Alister P. Airstream, Grandpa Cubbie, Alice the Air Ambulance, and Cousin Piper, who help teach the importance of helping others, honesty, keeping rooms clean, not judging people (or airplanes) by their looks, and other value-based themes. "Capt. Chuck” makes regular appearances at schools across the country, using his experiences as a 767 captain to educate children and discuss values. Just $6 each from wai.org/store/ or artietheairplane.com.
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