Airborne Activities and Hobbies A to Z

An illustrated collection of activities, hobbies and pastimes that use the air above us in some way.

From flying a kite, pigeon racing, sky diving and so on - there are many fun things to do either looking upwards or flying and diving through the air.

Safe airborne pursuits and some not so safe, with occasional thrills and hopefully not too many spills.

This page features an A-Z of activities in the clear blue skies.

BASE Jumping

BASE jumping with parachute or wingsuit. 


​The acronym stands for Building, Antennae, Span (bridges) and Earth (cliffs, peaks).


It is one of the most extreme of a whole series of extreme activities. 


Dangerous, sometimes illegal, and participated in by people who crave the adrenalin hit it provides. How many old base jumpers are there I wonder?

Base Jumping graphic with base jumper wearing a wingsuit

BASE Jumping Gifts >>

Drone Flying

A simple model aircraft with several rotor blades.  Like a flattened out helicopter that can rise very quickly - drones are fun to operate and can take pictures.

Drones have many uses.  From the hobbyist learning to fly one as a change from a model aircraft to the military using them as part of warfare there are a number of applications emerging in between.

Amazon and others are assessing how they might be used as part of the distribution chain.

The police employ them to monitor events on the ground as a cheaper and more easily deployable alternative to helicopters.  

​TV crews use them for the same reason - an instant bird's eye view of unfolding situations.
Pilot flies drone with camera which looks back at him

Drone Flying Gifts >>

Here is a fun play on words graphic using the two elements of drone flying - the drone and the pilot.
RC Drone Pilot design features the word

RC Drone Pilot Gifts >>

Falconry

Few people get to see birds of prey in action - let alone become a falconer. 


Man and hawk bound together in this activity is a fantastic achievement - for both of them!


Falconry is an ancient means of hunting and the closest man could get to the feeling of flying. It makes model aircraft seem a little tame when you have a relationship with a real trained bird of prey. 

Falconry design shows a keen falconer holding his bird of prey which observes him closely.

Falconry Gifts >>

Hang Gliding

Flying for people who can't afford a plane.  

​But it is more than that.  

​Just as people choose to ride a motorbike or bicycle - hang-gliding looks like an activity that takes you right where the birds go.

Man, hang glider and a feeling of complete freedom.
Pilot operating a hang glider - hang gliding with style

Hang Gliding Gifts >>

Helicopter

Not many get to ride in, let alone pilot, a real helicopter. 

A fantastic, if slightly scary, flying machine that can take-off and land pretty much anywhere.
Helicopter is a fun hand drawn design for anyone who likes, flies or rides in helicopters.

Helicopter Gifts >>

Hot Air Ballooning

A magnificent sight when airborne - hot air balloons are one of the earliest examples of man taking to the air.

A huge balloon with a flame underneath to heat the air and lift the craft gently into the sky.  Mostly guided by the winds with people in a traditional wicker basket attached to the balloon. 

Hoverboard

OK - hoverboard is a stretch for an airborne activity as the ones we currently have don't yet hover.

A two wheeled self-balancing scooter good for the inner core or showing off.

​Stand on it and look cool.

Although it is called a hoverboard and looks like the one Marty McFly used in Back to the Future - it has wheels rather than a cushion of air or anti-gravity.
Hoverboard Skeleton shows a cool hoverboarding skeleton riding a board with style.

Hoverboard Gifts >>

Kite Flying

There are all sorts of kites ranging from the traditional sort through box-kites to large wings that can pull a wheeled cart plus rider along.

The main things you need are a kite and a windy day.  

​Good for coastal areas because there is usually an on or offshore breeze.
Kite flying on a windy day. Kite with ribbon tail flies high in the air and down on the ground is a kite flier. The joy of flying a kite in a simple illustration.

Kite Flying Gifts >>

Kite design shows a hand drawn kite flying in the air with geometric colors, kite tail and ribbons. For kite flying fans.

Kite Gifts >>

Microlight or Ultralight Aircraft

These seem pretty damn dangerous.  A tiny powered aircraft looking a bit like a hang glider plus pilot and engine.

A relatively cheap way to discover and enjoy flying across countryside.

Surprisingly noisy considering you are up there with the birds.
Microlight design in bold bright graphic features ultralight pilot in modern airborne craft. Fun image for microlight daredevils.

Microlight Gifts >>

Model Aircraft

Flying RC airplanes uses radio controls and a degree of skill.  

Some large scale remote controlled models are powerful and potentially dangerous in the wrong hands.

​A relatively cheap way of becoming a pilot and another great excuse for being outside.
Flying a radio controlled model airplane

RC Airplane Gifts >>

Paragliding

Paragliding is an easier and more civilized version of hang gliding.

Less time to learn, a more comfortable seating position, and possibly safer too.
Fun Paragliding design shows a keen paraglider high in the air above the scenery below and behind.

Paragliding Gifts >>

Pigeon Keeping

When someone like Mike Tyson keeps pigeons you need to take notice.

Many people have a loft full of these birds for racing, breeding or simply being part of their lives.

​They are called pigeon fanciers.  In the picture a prize bird is being carefully held and shown off.
A racing pigeon is shown off by a keen pigeon fancier. Keeping and breeding pigeons for fun, love and sport - pigeon keeping is a fun pastime.

Pigeon Keeping Gifts >>

RC Helicopter

RC helicopters are different to the more usual planes and drones.

Expensive, complicated and with a new set of flying skills to learn - they are not for the inexperienced RC operator.

Although the amateur might think of a helicopter as simply hovering - the models have stunt capabilities.

Loop the loop, fly backwards, sideways and every which way.
RC Helicopter Flying graphic features a cool radio controlled helicopter being remote piloted by an expert on the ground.

RC Helicopter Gifts >>

Skydiving

Upping the ante slightly in the mad stakes - here is a stickman skydiver.  It is a simple idea.  Get in a plane with the intention of jumping out at some point.

Wait as long as you dare before pulling the cord and opening the parachute.

​You did remember the parachute?
A fun Skydiving design shows a skydiver with helmet, goggles, thumbs up and legs splayed out behind. Falling through the air waiting for the right moment to deploy the parachute. The word

Skydiving Gifts >>

Back to Terra Firma

That's all the airborne activities currently on this page. There are more to come as new drawings are done.


​Hope you got something out of it.


Created by Mark Ewbie. Last Updated: September 26, 2025.