Lightspeed Zulu PFX Headset
One of the quietest aviation headsets we’ve ever tested, the Zulu PFX adapts to your ears, environment, and preferences to deliver excellent noise cancellation with Streaming Quiet ANR. Providing exceptional audio clarity and quality, the headset’s capabilities can be customized through the FlightLink app, which also allows you to record and play back audio and stream music from iOS devices to the headset.
$1,175
PowerUp 3.0
Designed for aviation enthusiasts of any age, the PowerUp 3.0 transforms paper airplanes into personal drones. Simply attach the crashproof carbon-fiber body to your paper airplane (templates included) and remotely control it using the free app on your Bluetooth-connected smartphone or tablet. With a 180-foot range, you can fly your paper airplane for about 10 minutes before recharging it with a micro USB.
$49.99
08 Left Aviation Art
Give your favorite aviation lover a unique gift with 08 Left’s custom aviation art. Choose from a selection of 55 control towers or browse other designs inspired by more than 350 domestic and international airports. Selections are available as customizable prints, throw pillows, coasters and more.
$22 to $159.99 | 08left.com
CruzTOOLS Pilot’s Tool Kit
This handy tool kit was designed for pilots on the move. All of the essentials for on-the-go repairs fit neatly in CruzTOOLS’ tough, roll-up pouch, which stores easily. In addition to a variety of wrenches and more, the kit includes a telescopic mirror, 30 feet of safety wire and a special aviation spark-plug socket.
$84.95
FODY Tempus Pro
Do you know someone who geeks out over weather? (As pilots, that’s never a bad thing.) Fody’s Bluetooth weather station measures precise, full-range weather data and sends personalized weather alerts to your smartphone or tablet. Up-to-the-minute microclimate data is available through Fody’s free app, which can be installed on multiple devices.
$159.99 | myfody.com
Apple Watch Sport
Take advantage of the plethora of pilot apps on the market by pairing an Apple Watch Sport with your iPhone 5, 5C, 5S, 6, 6 Plus (shown above) or 6S. On the ground, the watch will register real-time data through your iPhone’s cellular or Wi-Fi connection, and, in the air, it connects to a Stratus ADS-B receiver.
Profits from this PROJECT(RED) Apple Watch Sport band ($49) benefit the Global Fund to support AIDS relief programs in Africa.
$349 to $399 watch, $649 phone
Access the most recent color-coded metars and favorite airports, view flight instruments, set flight timers, monitor your GPS location and more with an easy glance at your wrist using the ForeFlight mobile app on an Apple watch. Annual subscription rates vary in the U.S. and Canada.
$74.99 to $149.99 | foreflight.com
Garmin D2 Bravo
Garmin’s D2 Bravo pilot watch features a high-sensitivity GPS receiver, real-time weather reports, and routing functions that locate the nearest airports. In addition to its inflight functions, the D2 Bravo wirelessly connects to Garmin cameras, like the Virb XE, allowing you to control the camera from the watch. Bonus: The Virb XE has built-in GPS and G-force sensors, and captures an array of performance data that can be overlaid on the video footage.
Scheyden Waylite Sunglasses
Surprisingly light and durable, these sunglasses are unmatched in clarity — a standard for Scheyden’s eyewear. The arms are thin and incredibly flexible, allowing for a comfortable fit under a headset and making them ideal for long-term wear. Waylites also feature water and oil resistance, and UVA and UVB protection.
$169 to $199 | scheyden.com
Saddleback iPad Air Case
Available for the first- and second-generation iPad Air, Saddleback Leather’s iPad Air case protects against shocks and scratches, adapts as a stand, and features a “finger pocket” so it can easily be held in one hand. Also from Saddleback Leather, this beautifully simplistic passport sleeve keeps travel documents in one place. The flaps on each side hold the passport open, allowing it to be shown without being removed from the case.
For the budding pilot on your list, Sporty’s Learn to Fly course is available on an iPad or iPhone. The 3-in-1 syllabus includes training for Private, Sport and Recreational licenses.
$199 | sportys.com
