Gifts for Helicopter Pilots (Updated 2024)

Helicopter Pop-Up Card

I think this a fantastic card for a helicopter lover – blank inside and outside means it can be for any occasion – birthdays, Christmas, Father’s/Mother’s Day, just because.

Military Helicopter Poster

This military fleet poster covers most of the military helicopters from around the world. 36 by 24 inches.

Model R44 Helicopter

This small helicopter model is great for anyone who might become a helicopter instructor (to demonstrate to students) or just for fun. I have one of these I used it to instruct and now it is another cool helicopter decoration on my office shelf.

3D Wood Construction Kit Helicopter

This 3D puzzle kit comes with 80 interlocking puzzle pieces, an instruction manual & 1 paper for sanding edges. The complete model is about 16 inches long, and over 5 inches high. Recommended age is 8+ and it does not use/require glue.

Large R44 Helicopter

This 1:32 scale R44 helicopter comes with display stand. The complete model is about  14.5 inches long.

Lego Helicopters

There are many great Lego helicopter models, from about $10 and up – check some out this huge list of Lego helicopters (in ascending price order).

RC Helicopter With Camera!

I’ve owned a few radio-controlled helicopters in the past, but nothing like this – an RC Helicopter with camera. And for this price, that is really good deal. It sends the camera footage to your cell phone, which mounts above the controller, so in theory you can pilot it around your house from your couch – if you are good enough pilot…

Micro RC Helicopter

This cute little RC helicopter is small enough to land on your hand, at only 1 inch wide and 4 inches long. I’ve owned small RC helicopters but not as small as this. Practice your pinnacle approaches to the top of can of beans!

Helicopter Socks

RPM Logo Mugs, Hats, Hoodies & More

Helicopter License Plate Frame

We are all very proud to be helicopter pilots and if we didn’t already tell you, the license plate frame will let you know what we would rather be doing…Should fit all standard license plate holders.

Instrument Coaster Set (6)

A very cool set of drinks coasters for pilots. Slightly under 3/8″ thick (9mm). 

Altimeter Wall Clock

A bit nerdy maybe, but in most pilot’s eyes, this is a very cool clock design.

Logbook

Many people are moving towards digital logbooks, but if you are going to use paper (or both), make it a high quality logbook with plenty of columns (you will need more than you think!) like this one from Jeppesen. Just remember to take a photo each time you finish a page (for digital backup).

Preflight Flashlight

For a really effective preflight inspection of the helicopter, night or day, every good pilot needs a descent compact and lightweight flashlight. Something small enough to have handy in your flight bag, slips easily in to a pocket, but bright enough to be effective. This flashlight model has three settings (white and red high/low) to save battery and not wash out all your night vision. It has an adjustable ‘zoom’ for precision or flood lighting. It also takes AAA batteries, so they are interchangeable with the headlamp I also recommend.

Headlamp with Red Light Option

For any flight even close to sunset, I always wear a headlamp around my neck, ready if I need it. When flying at night, you really need a hands-free light source, that tracks your head and is red (to preserve your night vision). But it is also useful to have a white option for preflight or walking around the ramp at night. I like this style of headlamp (without the over-the-middle-of-the-head strap) because I can hang it loosely around my neck when not in use. In an emergency, even around my neck, I can still turn it on and use it from there too. Combine this headlamp with a good preflight flashlight (both using AAA for battery swaps if need be) and you have a great combination for night operations.

Tactical Pen with Emergency Flashlight

All pilots need at least a few pens handy, and it is always a good idea to have an emergency light source handy in the cockpit. It also has a compact multi tool with screw driver and bottle opener. This pen comes with three ink refills, four sets of batteries and a lifetime warranty. I can also recommend these compact, extendable pens that fit well in my kneeboard and flight suit.

Compact First Aid Kit

As a pilot you may be flying over areas away from immediate help in the case of a forced landing. It is a smart idea to have a compact basic first aid kit (and survival kit) with you. This one weighs about half a pound and comes in a small pouch making it easy to stow. It has all the usual items you would expect in a small first aid kit, plus a TPE torniquet, triangular bandage, emergency blanket, CPR face mask, moleskin blister pads (for hiking out) and burn cream. Or you can get a combined compact survival and first aid pack.

Compact Survival Kit

Along with a compact first aid kit, it is sensible to have a compact survival kit for flights outside the local area. This survival kit weighs about one pound and comes in a small pouch making it easy to stow. It has all 35 life saving tools/items including fire starter and tinder, knife, flash light, compass, saw, multitool, paracord, whistle and more. Or you can get a combined compact survival and first aid pack.

Waterproof & Windproof Lighter

To compliment a compact first aid kit and survival kit, this multiuse arc plasma rechargeable lighter is windproof and waterproof to help start a warming fire in the worst of conditions. It also comes with a built-in triple mode flashlight (high, low & strobe) and has a whistle on the end of the lanyard.

Survival Bracelet

Despite having a compact first aid kit and survival kit, sometimes you may have to leave the aircraft quickly and only have the items on your person for survival. A survival bracelet like this one carries a lot for it’s size. It comes with a fire starter, multitool, compass, whistle and an LED light with 3 modes (lasts up to 72 hours) and is waterproof to 300 meters (yards)

Water Bottle with Straw

Start flying for any amount of time and you will realize how much you get dehydrated under that canopy! What I like about this design is it uses a straw, so you can drink without tipping your head back – keep your eyes outside! This one comes with a carabiner, to clip to a hand grab for easy, one-hand access. This model also comes with two lid types, a handle, strap, spare straws and a cleaning brush.

Pocket Knife with Belt Cutter

Whenever I fly, especially helicopters over water, I have a pocket knife handy, clipped into my pocket, with a seatbelt cutter. The thought of ditching the aircraft, rolling over inverted under water and then not being able to free myself from the safety belts is one of my concerns. But also, after any unplanned emergency landing or crash, you often only have the items still on your person. So a knife like this really adds to your resources. This model has features such as a flashlight & fire starter. It comes in various color options – I like bright red so I won’t loose it!

Mini Multitool

I keep a mini multitool in my flight bag – it is small and light. This relatively inexpensive multitool will not only be useful around the aircraft (like tightening a panel screw) but will also add to your onboard survival kit, should you need to make an ‘unexpected landing’. Includes 14 small tools – standard pliers, needle-nose pliers, wire cutters, knife, wood saw, mini slotted screwdriver, medium slotted screwdriver, large slotted screwdriver, bottle opener, can opener, metal file, Phillips screwdriver, nail cleaner and key ring.

Preflight Inspection Mirror

Keep one of these extendable inspection mirrors in your headset bag to enable you to conduct a through preflight. For example, you can use this to see behind the aux fuel tank on an R44 to inspect hydraulic lines that can rub against the fuel tank. It can also make it easier to inspect under the R44.

Kneeboard

There are so many kneeboard options out there, but I like one like this because it has some nice features:

• Removable iPad Mini holder
• 7-hole spine for printed back up instrument plates or reference material in plastic folders and rings (both sold separately).
• Side pockets for pens (like these compact, extendable pens), flashlight, backup batteries, etc..
• Sturdy aluminum backplate clipboard for paper – it can be use as a standalone lightweight paper-based kneeboard too.
• The aluminum backplate is covered in handy reference material (light gun signals, airspace, etc.)

iPad Mount

Some people prefer to mount their iPads on the side windows of the helicopter. I found that this brand provided powerful and reliable suction to secure the iPad mini. A few of the companies I flew for used the same mount too. I have also successfully used the mount in light aircraft like the Cessna 172.

BUT – be aware these mounts can fail (and have caused fatal helicopter accidents) – consider where you mount and use a tether to improve safety.

Portable Charger

For those long cross country days, or maybe when you forgot to charge your iPad/phone – it is great to have one of these portable chargers stuffed in your flight bag. This particular model is 25800mAh Ultra-High Capacity.

Flight Bag

Pilots need a bag to keep all their pilot gear in. You can use a small backpack, or an aviation-specific flight bag like this one. Being aviation-specific, it has dedicated pockets and organizers for headset, iPad, spare batteries, cables, handhold radio, backup charts, flashlight, fuel sampler, sunglasses, a keyring and more. It also has a bright orange interior to make seeing contents easy while protecting them.

Headset

While you are still just getting started with flying, it is probably worth using/renting the flight school headsets until you know flying is for you. But sooner or later, you really want to get a good headset. A good quality headset that fits you well, with new ear cups and a good headband will help you hear radio calls better and protect your ears from long-term damage (it is hard to fly if you can’t hear). Once I got my private pilot certificate, I bought myself a celebration present (and an investment in my hearing) by getting a Bose noise-cancelling headset with Bluetooth connectivity. I still use my original headset today and I am very happy with my purchase. Also if you have any problems, Bose after-sale support is fantastic. I know other people who swear by Lightspeed instead and I have not heard any bad things about them either – both are good choices. If you are on a more modest budget, good old David Clarkes are reliable alternatives. Just make sure, whichever headset you choose, it has the single U174 helicopter-style cable plug. Or if you end up with an airplane headset (two plugs), get a GA to Heli adapter to convert the airplane style dual plug to the single helicopter style.