About Our Tales That We’ve Published, and Future Stories Yet to be Told

The pages of Photorecon.net, ClassicWarbirds.net, and CivilAviationWorld.com are filled with aviation-related stories which offer an archive of facts, figures, photos and first-hand accounts. We’ve published around one thousand articles and features between our three titles, and all of our content is still available for use… we never delete our stories. Photorecon.net is our flagship publication, and is celebrating ten years of bringing aviation information to the world.

We are a talented group of authors and photographers, who’ve shared some of our experiences through these pages; some twenty-nine storytellers who choose to use our three digital aviation magazines in which to tell their tales.

All three of our digital aviation magazines are updated at least weekly with new content. We attended some fantastic current events in 2019, including air shows, trade shows, and special commemorative events too. We published a series of “looking back” articles too, from air show reviews to Air National Guard unit histories. Photo scrapbooks with photos of now-defunct airlines and airliners were added to some current spotting trips to share the broad landscape of business and commercial aircraft.

We’ve got a large following; please accept our thanks for being part of this big picture:

In 2019, Photorecon.net published 103 articles, and entertained 77,290 unique visitors who made 174,455 site visits, reading 1,614,449 pages, and contributed to a total of 6,412,489 hits on our web site.

In 2019, ClassicWarbirds.net published 52 stories, and entertained 71,993 unique visitors who made 158,986 site visits, reading 803,815 pages, and contributed to a total of 2,092,584 hits on our web site.

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In 2019, CivilAviationWorld.com also published 52 stories and entertained 28,426 unique visitors who made 54,853 site visits, reading 459,677 pages, and contributed to a total of 600,781 hits on our web site.

What’s ahead for our magazines in 2020? Well, here are a few thoughts and ideas form some of our contributors:

“In 2020, I plan on attending Sentry Eagle in mid-July, at Klamath Falls Oregon. It will be my first Sentry Eagle exercise.” – Ken Middleton

“I for one am really looking forward to another Arsenal of Democracy flyby over the mall. There was nothing better than being perched on the Lincoln Memorial and photographing the warbirds as they came over top. I will never forget that event and am looking forward to this years’ version.” – Howard German

“I am looking forward to another busy season and getting it started early in March, out west in Arizona. I am also going somewhere I have never been before, Edwards Air Force Base. I look forward to renewing friendships with all of my big-lensed photogs and in the spirit of an Irish blessing, “May the sun be at your back and the aircraft of your desire in front of your lens.” – Shawn Byers

“I’m going to try and get to the west coast this year. The return of the Edwards AFB show is on my bucket list. I would like to cover Atlantic City, McGuire and Cherry Point as well.” – Mike Colaner

“Alice and I would once again like to attend the 2020 Sentry Eagle exercise at Kingsley Field / Klamath Falls OR for the 4th time since 2007, a great part of the country for aviation photography and sightseeing with Crater Lake National Park nearby.” – Scott Zeno

“Although Belgium and the Netherlands won’t hold a large Airshow this year (Belgium in favour for their 75th Air Force anniversary in 2021) there is plenty to look forward to. Next, to promising air shows in the UK (RIAT), Germany (Laage with 15 years of Eurofighter in service), Danmark (Karup with lots of new equipment to show) and Rumania (Bucarest) to name a few, there are plenty of exercises to look forward to. Just started is Defender Europe 20, the largest exercise in Europe since the end of the Cold War, in April is Frisian Flag, including the first time for European F-35s, in May is the Tiger Meet in Portugal which should include more sun than the last years one in France, and in September should be two exercises in the UK, one including US Marines F-35s, another one which could see Israeli F-15s like last year. I hope to get enough spare time and holidays for all these interesting events.” – Best regards – Uli Seibicke

“Looking forward to the 2020 airshow season as we celebrate 50 years of the Canadian Snowbirds, the Blue Angels retirement of the Legacy Hornet, and the commemoration of the end of World War II.” – Scott Jankowski

“Looking forward to some unique air shows at bases that have been quiet for many years” – Jeff Serpa

“I have seen Photorecon grow for the last decade, and it’s such a great feeling to be able to share my passion for aviation with the rest of our family. I look forward to continuing to watch us grow this decade and share the aviation experiences we are so fortunate to get. To Joe, Dave, Ken, and the rest of our Photorecon family, THANK YOU for all you do here. Whether it’s promoting airshows, sharing experiences, and telling the warfighters story, YOU are what makes Photorecon what it is today.”

“In this upcoming year I look forward to continuing to tell the warfighter’s story in as many ways as possible. Whether it’s the history of, current training events preparing them for what’s next, or a behind the scenes look at the unsung heroes, getting their story out is very important to me. I feel we owe so much of what we are able to do to the sacrifices that have been made in the past, this sacrifices being made right now, and those that will continue to be made in the future.” – Steve Lewis

“2020 is the 75th Anniversary of the end of World War II, with some interesting events planned. Also, this will be the last year the Blue Angels fly their Legacy Hornets… can’t wait to see how these two occasions are marked.” – Ken Kula

“May 1970, the USAF issued a request for proposals for the A-10A. 2005 began the A-10C upgrade program. The entire fleet of 356 A-10 and OA-10 aircraft began receiving Precision Engagement upgrades; including an improved fire control system (FCS), electronic countermeasures (ECM), and smart bomb targeting. The F-15 reached initial operational capability for the Air Force in September 1975. 2005 was the U.S. Air Force’s F/A-22 Raptor operational debut. The F/A-22’s development, testing, and IOC declaration at Langley AFB, Virginia, in December 2005 closely paralleled the same as the F-15A’s 30 years prior. The F/A-22 will eventually replace the F-15C Eagle. 2020 will be (unofficially) the last year for the Blue Angels flying the F/A-18A/B/C Hornet. 2020 marks the 75th anniversary of Victory in Europe and Japan, officially ending WWII. 2020 is the 30th Annual Mid-Atlantic Air Museum WWII Weekend in Reading, Pa. I’m looking forward to another great aviation year.” – Dan Myers

“It’s not often in life you find your calling, I believe that all of us have a very deep passion for Aviation and preserving aviation history through photos and articles. I just want to thank everyone on our team who are as passionate as I am about this subject. I am truly honored to know and work with all of you. I am truly in awe of the quality legacy we are building and the online presence we now enjoy. All of you have helped me find my calling and live my dreams. The future looks bright, let’s keep up the good work and again a sincere thank you to everyone who helped make us who we are.” – Joe Kates, Owner and Publisher of Photorecon.net, ClassicWarbirds.net, CivilAviationWorld.com