Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge
A foundational reference for student pilots, and a good refresher for experienced ones.
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Stick and Rudder by Wolfgang Langewiesche
~$22 typical price
The 1944 classic explaining how airplanes actually fly and how pilots should think about angle of attack.
Why it makes a great gift
Generations of instructors still recommend it, and it reads well even for people who never plan to solo.
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