I agree with Forest: The Canon A710IS looks quite
interesting for cockpit or any use. I don't have one,
but a coworker just bought one. In America, the price
seems to be around US$250.

Not bad for a camera with:
6x Zoom (35mm - 210mm equivalent) (yea, 28mm would
be nicer to have)
Image Stabilization
7.1 megapixels
Uses only 2 double A size batteries

I have a Canon A75 camera (3 megapixels and 3x zoom,
no image stabilization except for steady hands or tripod,
neither of which I have) that does well as a 'snap-shooter.'
The four batteries make it heavier than the models
using two batteries, but they last a long time. I
use rechargeable batteries and I can get a lot a shots
from them before recharging. If I forget to charge
them, finding double A's at a local store is easy.

Here's one review: http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canona710is/

Ray Lovinggood
Carrboro, North Carolina, USA