One radio that might be worth looking at is the Sony ICF-2001D which is a multiband radio including Airband. There are four rows of each of eight memory buttons, so once programmed your friend could also use to listen to VHF stations and even some overseas short wave stations if that interests him.
There is one for sale on fleabay.
RARE VINTAGE SONY PORTABLE SHORTWAVE RADIO ICF 2001D NO RESERVE | eBay
I have one of these radios and it is a delight to use.