Created by a Pilot, Not Just for one.
Authentic Pilot was born out of one pilot’s obsession to create meaningful design that actually flies. Too many aviation designs feel like generic “pilot-y” things without soul or substance. We wanted to change that. Our mission is simple: to create premium posters and apparel that resonate with pilots, spotters, and true aviation lovers — because they’re made by one.
Designed With Altitude and Attitude
Hi, I’m James — award-winning graphic designer, creative director, and a 1,000-hour instrument-rated private pilot. My love for aviation runs deep. I grew up in Seattle in a Boeing family, and now I fly out of Northern California. For decades, I’ve built brand campaigns for startups and giants alike. But Authentic Pilot is personal.
I started this brand because I couldn’t find aviation wall art or apparel that actually spoke to me. I wanted to wear designs that told a story, sparked conversation, or captured the thrill of a short final into a tricky airport. So, I made them. Now you can wear them too.
David Klein
New York fly TWA
1956
Glanzman-Parker
Joseph Charles Parker,
Martin Glanzman
Texas
American Airlines
1953
Kurt Wirth
Metropolitan
Swissair
1956
Fritz Girardin
Swissair
Proche Orient (Naher Osten)
c. 1956
Paying Tribute to the Legends
We take our inspiration from the golden age of travel posters — think David Klein, Glanzman-Parker, Kurt Wirth, and Gritz Girardin. These legends were commissioned in the 1950s to illustrate the magic of flight. Their work lives on, but most of what you find today are reprints or knockoffs.
Authentic Pilot reimagines this style with modern aircraft, glass cockpits, current approach plates, and destinations that matter to today’s pilots. Every design is a fresh take, researched and created from the perspective of someone who files, briefs, and logs every flight.
It’s Not Just a Poster. It’s a Point of View.
Whether it’s the exact angle of a 787 Dreamliner on short final to SXM, or the unmistakable glow of a PFD on a G1000, these aren’t decorations. They’re authentic visual stories.
Each print is individually designed and built to spark recognition in a fellow pilot, raise eyebrows from non-aviators, and honor the world we fly in.
From hangars to hallways, you can now broadcast your love of aviation with art that gets it right.