The first stop in our search for the best disc golf putter must start with the Innova Aviar. This disc has been around for a long time and is still very popular.
Manufacturer’s Notes
“Aviar Putt & Approach is the number one putter in disc golf. Having won more World Championships than all other putters combined. Aviar is our most popular disc.”
http://www.innovadiscs.com/discs/putt-and-approach-discs/speed-2/aviar.html
Available plastics: Star, GStar, Champion, XT, R-Pro, Glow, DX
Flight Rating: 2 speed, 3 glide, 0 turn, 1 fade
Initial Reactions
A smooth, rounded nose with no bead and a flat top. This is the putter that defines disc golf putting.
By the Numbers
Innova Aviar
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A very small amount of turn before the fade takes over. The 2 cm height with 1.5 cm rim depth leaves a half centimeter of space for your grip. The .9 cm rim thickness is enough to grab without feeling like the disc forces you into a new grip.
Putting Notes
Push putting with the Aviar works fairly well. 
I’d prefer a little firmer flight plate than any of the Innova plastics offer but the DX is good enough here (see the KC Pro Aviar or MCPro Aviar). I have tried the Champion as well, which is slightly more stable. There is enough grip in the plate to spring the disc with your back two fingers and the Aviar flies right where I aim it until we get close to the edge of the circle at 30’. Outside of the circle I need to begin aiming for the appropriate amount of fade at the end.
Spin putting works fairly well too. I can fire at the basket from closer to 40’ but I do have a little concern with it gliding too far.
The Aviar also performs decently in the wind. Rollaways and spit-outs happen occasionally, but the Aviar performs better than normal in that category.
Upshots
The Aviar holds any line you give it, provided you don’t overpower the disc. A light hyzer or anhyzer will hold for the length of any approach. Lighter forehand flicks will also yield solid results as long as you aren’t trying to throw it too hard. If you try to overthrow this disc, you’ll end up very disappointed while watching it turn and drive into the ground. Putting requires soft touch, so keep it that way.
Final Verdict
Overall, this is a solid putter and should be one of the first ones you try. I liked it enough to buy ten Aviars for my putting practice center at home. I don’t use it as my main putter because the rim is just a little to deep to give me a consistently perfect release. This is a beginner friendly putter but anyone can putt with an Aviar. Because of its popularity and availability, this will likely be the putter all others are compared against.
3 Comments
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Alex D.
I enjoy the DX Aviar from my starter set, but it feels a little too deep in my hand, very similar to Rodney’s experience. I was wondering if anyone might have recommendations for a disc that feels and flies similar to an aviar, but a little more shallow?
Rodney Lane
I have a few recommendations for you. First is the MINT Discs Bullet, which I will be reviewing soon. It is lower profile but still maintains a nice straight flight. The Streamline Pilot is a fantastic putter that is slightly more shallow than the Aviar as well. The Kastaplast Reko is another great choice as is the Infinite Discs Tomb.