The Aviator Store has Everything for Aviators

 WHEN  Don Ramirez bought The Aviator Store late last year, it felt a bit like coming home.

Twenty-two years ago he completed his commercial pilot training at Archerfield and he has fond memories of the airport. Don’s flying career took him to Papua New Guinea where he nearly died of malaria, and he eventually joined Qantas where he worked in a variety of operational roles for 16 years.

Then came Covid-19.

“Because of the pandemic, I was made redundant,” Don recalled, “but then I met Ian, the previous owner of the store, and I got this opportunity.” 

He took over the store in December 2022, moved The Aviator Store to its current handy location on Qantas Avenue, and has been busy ever since making The Aviator Store a one-stop-shop for students and pilots. 

“I believe that, in doing business, you have to get the basics right first,” he said.

“When students come in, I don’t want them to walk away frustrated because we didn’t have what they need. We have 95 percent of the essentials – maps, textbooks, aviation theory books – covered. That’s really important because if students don’t have the