for many years I earned a living as a photographer, although not all avaition.
I would avoid the over complex cameras, with dials for everything, which 95% of people never use, I have a Nikon D70, old technology now, however search around and if you find one in a camera shop, I imagine, it would go for a pitance, still does everything you'd ever require, and more.
Len's the VR type that Nikon sell are very good, giving you stablised images even at lower shutter speeds,
If your just wishing to take photo's from the cockpit to ground ? I wouldn't bother with zooms etc, just buy a standard 50mm or 35mm lens, and make sure you get the rubber lens hood, readily available in most stores, that way, you can touch the rubber hood to the window, cutting out all the extranous glare, and cos its rubber, no vibration to the camera,