AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2022 - 102

FLY WITH AOPA
Presents for pilots
PILOT GEAR /
Something for everyone on your list
BY JULIE SUMMERS WALKER
1955
The first year NORAD (then
Continental Air Defense Command) tracked
Santa Claus. noradsanta.org
WERE YOU ALWAYS told that the best gifts are ones you'd want to receive yourself? Me
too. So, it stands to reason if you're a pilot giving a gift to a pilot, you should shop at a
place that is made for pilots, by pilots. Let's go shopping.
Dad-Has he told you a thousand times about his past flying exploits and how important
it is to support organizations such as AOPA that defend our freedoms? Then he needs
a Balsa Wood T-shirt or Vintage Airplane T-shirt or a Freedom to Fly T-shirt from the Pilot
Gear Store ($25 each). Or has he not flown in years because he's been so busy with you darn
kids or bringing home a paycheck or mowing the lawn? Time to get that man back into
the left seat. Rusty Pilot online courses are free to AOPA members (aopa.org/rustypilots).
Mom-She's been your biggest supporter. Anxious at first but confident in your abilities.
First sign her up for an introductory flight or her first lesson if you haven't already, then
buy her the pink AOPA appliqued sweatshirt that everyone is wearing ($50) or a ladies'
long-sleeve floral tee ($35). Don't forget to check her into the AOPA Air Safety Institute's
Companion Co-pilot Video Series (airsafetyinstitute.org/CompanionCopilot).
Big brother-So now he's a lawyer. Make him remember he's still fun with windsock or
gauges designed socks so when he crosses his legs at that next big meeting, they'll know
who he really is ($15 each).
Sister-She's as accomplished as you (maybe even more) and supremely tired that people
think only men fly. There are many shirts and tops designed just for her-from polos
($59) to hoodies ($55) and pullovers ($65)-I think she's going to forgive you for that last
hard landing.
Your significant other-Flying is the greatest gift; it takes you to places others won't
see as intimately, such as the islands of the Bahamas or the Caribbean from a GA vantage
point. Our guides to the Bahamas and Caribbean are the perfect gift ($79.90 for both).
That crazy cousin-Check out all our tees like the Get Outside, Blue Skies, or the
Freedom Flyin' T-shirts ($15-$28). And if all else fails, remember everyone loves an AOPA
hat ($19-$25). julie.walker@aopa.org pilotgear.aopa.org
102
AOPA PILOT / December 2022
SEND A CARD
Did you know the first Christmas
card was produced in 1843? The
tradition of sending greeting cards
during the holiday season can
be credited to Louis Prang, the
" father of the American Christmas
card " beginning in 1874. It's not
too late to get your holiday cards
in the mail. And you should be
sending the card that celebrates
not only the season, but also your
passion: aviation. Two card-pack
styles are available for $39.95.
pilotgear.aopa.org/holiday
DAVID TULIS
DID YOU KNOW?

http://www.noradsanta.org http://www.aopa.org/rustypilots http://www.airsafetyinstitute.org/CompanionCopilot http://pilotgear.aopa.org http://pilotgear.aopa.org/holiday

AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2022

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