Ideas to shop around
Directions rather than one particular thing, for when you’d rather choose. Some come with a few that fit.
Yokes and joysticks
The main controls. A yoke feels like a Cessna, while a stick and throttle (HOTAS) feels like a fighter or an Airbus. Pick by the aircraft they fly most: Honeycomb is the premium yoke, Logitech the easier price, and the Thrustmaster the cheapest way in.
3 that fit · about $74.53 – $319.99
Honeycomb Alpha Flight Controls Yoke and Switch Panel Bundleabout $319.99 · amazon.com
Logitech G PRO Flight Yoke Systemabout $207.88 · amazon.com
Thrustmaster T.Flight HOTAS X Flight Stick and Throttleabout $74.53 · amazon.com
Throttles and rudder pedals
Add-ons that make the cockpit feel complete. Throttles add engine levers and pedals add rudder and brakes; the premium Honeycomb and TPR pair costs far more than the Logitech and TFRP pair.
4 that fit · about $69.99 – $589.95
Honeycomb Bravo Throttle Quadrantabout $299.99 · amazon.com
Logitech G Pro Flight Throttle Quadrantabout $69.99 · amazon.com
Thrustmaster TFRP Precision Flight Sim Rudder Pedalsabout $129.99 · amazon.com
Thrustmaster TPR Pendular Rudder Pedalsabout $589.95 · amazon.com
Stands and desk setup
A stable place to mount the gear.
One that fits · about $499
Next Level Racing Flight Stand Proabout $499 · amazon.com
Software and charts
The sim itself and real maps to plan flights.
2 that fit · about $9.95 – $69.99
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 Standard Editionabout $69.99 · amazon.com
FAA Seattle Sectional Chart (SSEA)about $9.95 · amazon.com
Real-world flying and books
For the person who wants to be a pilot or loves aviation.
6 that fit · about $8.95 – $19.49
The Standard Pilot Log (ASA-SP-30)about $12.07 · amazon.com
ASA E6B Paper Flight Computerabout $16.52 · amazon.com
Metal Earth Cessna 172 3D Metal Model Kitabout $8.95 · amazon.com
Heritage Flight Museum Visit or Membership (Burlington, WA)heritageflight.org
Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge (FAA-H-8083-25)about $10.82 · amazon.com
Stick and Rudder by Wolfgang Langewiescheabout $19.49 · amazon.com
Head tracking and VR
Look around the cockpit instead of hitting a hat switch. The biggest immersion jump after a yoke. TrackIR and Tobii work on a flat screen, while the Quest 3 gives full VR.
3 that fit · about $142.89 – $599
TrackIR 5 Head Tracking Systemabout $142.89 · amazon.com
Tobii Eye Tracker 5about $359 · amazon.com
Meta Quest 3 512GB VR Headsetabout $599 · amazon.com
Panels and macro controls
Real switches and buttons for flaps, lights and avionics, so fewer keyboard shortcuts. The Logitech panel is best for autopilot, the Meza for engine start up, and the Stream Deck for flexibility.
4 that fit · about $99.99 – $169.99
Logitech G Pro Flight Multi Panelabout $149.99 · amazon.com
Meza Sim GA Flight Switch Panelabout $99.99 · amazon.com
Elgato Stream Deck MK.2about $134.99 · amazon.com
Honeycomb Alpha LITE Flight Yokeabout $169.99 · amazon.com
Pilot headsets and radios
Real aviation audio gear. Some of it works in the sim and in a real cockpit.
3 that fit · about $139.95 – $385
David Clark H10-13.4 Aviation Headsetabout $385 · amazon.com
KORE P1 Aviation Headsetabout $139.95 · amazon.com
Icom IC-A16 Handheld VHF Aviation Radioabout $337 · amazon.com
Screens and cockpit seating
Wider view and a place to sit that feels like a cockpit.
3 that fit · about $77.99 – $299.89
Sceptre 34 inch Curved Ultrawide Monitorabout $197.98 · amazon.com
Triple Monitor Desk Mountabout $77.99 · amazon.com
Marada Flight Simulator Cockpitabout $299.89 · amazon.com
Real world pilot gear
Things working pilots carry. A good fit for someone who may want to fly for real.
4 that fit · about $38.95 – $499
Dream Pilot Kneeboardabout $38.95 · amazon.com
Sporty's Crosswind Flight Bagabout $59.95 · amazon.com
Ray-Ban RB3025 Classic Aviator Sunglassesabout $191 · amazon.com
Sporty's Deluxe Learn to Fly Kitabout $499 · amazon.com
Live traffic and radar
Track real aircraft overhead with a cheap ADS-B receiver. A fun tie to the sim.
2 that fit · about $44.95 – $49.90
AirNav Radar FlightStick ADS-B USB Receiverabout $49.90 · amazon.com
Nooelec NESDR Mini ADS-B Receiver Setabout $44.95 · amazon.com
Desk and wall decor
Instruments and models that make a flight room feel like an airfield.
3 that fit · about $22.49 – $116.34
Classic Altimeter Wall Clockabout $37.99 · amazon.com
GeminiJets 1:200 MD-90 Die-Cast Model Airplaneabout $116.34 · amazon.com
LEGO Technic Bush Planeabout $22.49 · amazon.com
Books for armchair pilots
Classic and practical reading about flying, weather and the job of being a pilot.
3 that fit · about $11.69 – $16.79
Fate Is the Hunter by Ernest K. Gannabout $11.69 · amazon.com
Weather Flying by Robert N. Buckabout $16.79 · amazon.com
Airplane Flying Handbook (FAA-H-8083-3C)about $15.90 · amazon.com
Funny Pilot T-Shirts and Aviation Hoodies
Wearable aviation humor for sim pilots and the real thing. Easy gifts that do not depend on which sim or plane they fly.
4 that fit · about $14.99 – $35.99
Fly Good Land Gooder Funny Pilot Aviation T-Shirtabout $17.99 · amazon.com
Still Playing with Airplanes Pilot Funny Vintage T-Shirtabout $14.99 · amazon.com
Be Nice I Might Be Your Pilot Someday Aviation Pullover Hoodieabout $29.99 · amazon.com
Single Engine Prop Airplane Born to Fly Pullover Hoodieabout $35.99 · amazon.com
Pilot Mugs and Airplane Desk Decor
Coffee mugs and desk models with an aviation theme. Small gifts that suit a sim desk, office or shelf.
4 that fit · about $13.97 – $25.99
What Part Don't You Understand Pilot Aviation Mug (11 oz)about $13.97 · amazon.com
Aurahouse Funny Pilot Coffee Mug (I Can Fly, 11 oz)about $16.99 · amazon.com
Boeing 747 1/300 Diecast Metal Model Airplaneabout $25.99 · amazon.com
Vintage Metal Airplane Desktop Decorabout $20.79 · amazon.com