Aviation enthusiasm tends to run deep. Whether it's the engineering obsession, the history of military aviation, the sheer improbability of getting something heavier than air off the ground and keeping it there, or the specific pull of a particular aircraft, plane people are passionate people with strong opinions. Buying for them is rewarding when you get it right and plainly wrong when you don't. Here's how to get it right.
Know which kind of aviation they love
Aviation is a broad church. There are military history enthusiasts who can tell you exactly what made the Hawker Hurricane's elliptical wing different from the Spitfire's and why it mattered. There are commercial aviation geeks who know the seat configurations of every long-haul widebody. There are light aircraft and general aviation people for whom flying is something they do themselves. There are model builders who love the craft of construction as much as the subject. The gift that works for one won't work for another, so think carefully about which corner of aviation your person inhabits before you buy.
A laser-cut jet puzzle or plane decoration
For the aviation enthusiast with a desk or shelf that deserves something characterful, the Curious Rabbit jet puzzle kit is a satisfying flatpack build that results in a detailed miniature jet, laser-cut in Wales and available in natural wood. For something ready to display immediately, the plane decoration and plane bauble are handmade ornaments that work as desk pieces or hanging decorations. Small, well-made, and the kind of thing that earns a comment from every aviation person who spots it. All available at curiousrabbit.com.
A visit to Duxford Imperial War Museum
The Imperial War Museum Duxford in Cambridgeshire is the finest aviation museum in the UK and one of the best in the world. Its hangars contain an extraordinary collection spanning from the earliest military aircraft through to a Concorde, and several of the aircraft on display are still airworthy and flown at regular airshows throughout the year. A day out at Duxford is the kind of gift that a genuine aviation enthusiast will talk about for considerably longer than anything unwrapped. Check the IWM website for airshow dates, as the experience is significantly enhanced when the aircraft fly.
A specialist aviation book
Aviation enthusiasts tend to be readers, and a well-chosen book on a specific topic within their interest is consistently well-received. The key word again is specific. A general history of the RAF sits unread beside a finely detailed account of Frank Whittle's development of the jet engine or a specific campaign history of the Battle of Britain from a single squadron's perspective. The RAF Museum in London and Cosford both have excellent museum shops with well-curated aviation book selections. Crécy Publishing specialises in aviation titles and is a reliable source for serious enthusiasts.
An airshow experience
The UK airshow calendar runs from late spring through to autumn and includes events ranging from small local flying days to major national shows like RIAT at Fairford and the Farnborough International Airshow. For the aviation enthusiast who has never been to a major airshow, tickets to one of these events make for a memorable and genuinely exciting day out. For the enthusiast who goes regularly, a behind-the-scenes or guest experience at a smaller specialist event is a more distinctive choice.
A flying lesson or experience flight
For the aviation enthusiast who has always wanted to sit in the front seat, a trial flying lesson at a local flying club is an experience that no amount of model kits or books can replicate. Most UK airfields with a flying school offer trial lessons lasting 30 to 60 minutes for a reasonable outlay. The Civil Aviation Authority's general aviation pages are a good starting point for finding accredited schools. For something more dramatic, a warbird experience flight in a Harvard or similar training aircraft from one of the UK's historic aviation operators is considerably more expensive but correspondingly unforgettable.
An RAF Museum membership
The RAF Museum membership covers both the London and Cosford sites, provides free entry, discounts in the shops and café, and advance notice of events. For an aviation enthusiast who visits regularly or who lives within reach of either site, it's a gift that pays for itself quickly and keeps giving across a year.
Curious Rabbit makes laser-cut wooden gifts and model kits, designed and made in Wales.
