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I am giving you my next aviation calendar. When choosing photos for it, I mainly took into account the votes on my Facebook fanpage (thank you!). I made the final selection by also adding my personal feelings. It was not easy, because in 2024 I took part in many interesting sessions, during which a lot of good pictures were taken. Additionally, in this edition of the calendar I also managed to smuggle in a few of my favorite shots from previous years. For me, the most important photos are of course the "three-dimensional" ones, in which, apart from the obvious two dimensions, there is also the third one, which is the amount of memories and experiences that accompanied me during the photography itself. I believe that the photos selected for the calendar must make the greatest impression possible, from the wall and for the entire 30 days of a given month! Overall, however, the calendar must be diverse to satisfy the widest possible audience, although it is known that you can't please everyone. Below are descriptions of what is in the photos, the circumstances in which the photos were taken, and brief explanations of why I chose a particular photo and why for a given month. I wish you a pleasant reading and thank you for your interest in my photography :)

COVER

Date of taking the photo: 23.01.2024.
Subject: Dassault Mirage 2000, Fighter Squadron 1/2, French Air Force.
Photoship: Alenia C-27 Spartan, Lithuanian Air Force.
Take-off/landing airport: Šiauliai (Lithuania).
Mission: NATO Baltic Air Policing Block 64.
Photo set and settings: Nikon Z 9. Nikkor Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S (1/1600 f/7.1 ISO 220).
More from this session: https://www.hesja.pl/galeria,967,bap-block-64.html
Why this particular photo and why on the cover?
For many years I have been trying to capture Mirage 2000 aircraft during air-to-air sessions. Each time something prevented me from achieving this goal. Until January 2024 came. As it turned out later – the year of Mirage 2000 for me! First a session with two Mirages 2000 accompanied by Belgian F-16s. Then a huge session with two Mirages 2000 and two Polish F-16s in incredible conditions! And finally a session with only two Mirages 2000, which allocated almost an hour and a half of session time for us! I already knew then that it would be the Mirage 2000 aircraft that would be on the cover of my Aviation Calendar 2025 and this exact shot.

INFO PAGE

Date of taking the photo: 13.02.2024.
Subject: Lockheed Martin F-16 Jastrząb, 31st Tactical Air Base, Polish Air Force.
Photoship: CASA C-295M, 8th Transport Air Base, Polish Air Force.
Take-off/landing airport: Amari (Estonia).
Mission: NATO Baltic Air Policing, Polish Military Contingent ORLIK 12.
Photo set and settings: Nikon D850. AF-S Nikkor 24-120 mm f/4G ED VR (1/800 f/7.1 ISO 500).
More from this session: https://www.hesja.pl/galeria,968,pkw-orlik-12-amari.html
Why this particular photo?
This session was not supposed to happen. The weather forecasts did not give any chance of its implementation. However, we decided to fly, but above the clouds to a high altitude for a flight with an open ramp. It was a brilliant idea, although taking photos in such severe frost is a huge challenge. However, what we saw after opening the ramp exceeded our boldest and most courageous expectations! The sun low above the cloud line with a beautiful halo around it, and behind the planes there were beautiful and unreal-looking condensation trails. Additionally, ice crystals were floating everywhere in the air. It was cold as hell, but it is worth the sacrifice for such views and experiences. There is already one photo from this brilliant session in the calendar (October), but I really wanted to smuggle it in, hence its appearance on the INFO page.

JANUARY

Date of taking the photo: 22.01.2024.
Subject: Dassault Mirage 2000, Fighter Squadron 1/2, French Air Force.
Airport: Šiauliai (Lithuania).
Mission: NATO Baltic Air Policing Block 64.
Photo set and settings: Nikon D850. AF-S Nikkor 24-120 mm f/4G ED VR (1/20 f/4.5 ISO 1100).
More from this session: https://www.hesja.pl/galeria,967,bap-block-64.html
Why this particular photo?
As a rule, when visiting NATO Baltic Air Policing contingents, we plan not only air-to-air sessions, but also ground sessions. Also in hangars. Usually, the pilots perform a classic pre-flight inspection, and we take photos and record videos. Traditionally, I also always look for some interesting frame. I like the so-called frog perspective, and if you come across even a little puddle, it's complete happiness. This photo is the only static photo in the calendar. Its atmosphere created by the interior of the temporary hangar, the reflection in the water and the colors convinced me that it had to appear in the calendar and on the January card.

FEBRUARY

Date of taking the photo: 07.09.2022.
Subject: F-16 Fighting Falcon, 31st Tiger Squadron, Belgian Air Force.
Photoship: Short SC.7 Skyvan, Aviation PhotoCrew.
Take-off/landing airport: Zwartberg (Belgium).
Mission: Sanicole Airshow.
Photo set and settings: Nikon Z 9. Nikkor Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S (1/800 f/6.3 ISO 64).
More from this session: https://www.hesja.pl/galeria,912,a2a-sanicole-2022.html
Why this photo?
This photo is in the calendar because, apart from my obvious admiration for the skill of the pilots of the 31st Squadron and my love for the special “X-Tiger” paint job of the formation leader, the photo shows an interesting optical phenomenon that makes the aircraft further away appear larger. I also love the dynamic composition of this photo, which captures the dynamics of this maneuver. The cold, unobtrusive colors make the photo hang on our walls on cold February days.

MARCH

Date of taking the photo: 21.09.2022.
Subject: Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-29, 22nd Tactical Air Base. Polish Air Force.
Photoship: CASA C-295M, 8th Transport Air Base, Polish Air Force.
Take-off/landing airport: Malbork (Poland).
Mission: NATO Enhanced Air Policing.
Photo set and settings: Nikon Z 9. Nikkor Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S (1/1600 f/6.3 ISO 3200).
More from this session: https://www.hesja.pl/galeria,902,itaf-malbork.html
Why this particular photo?
I love the silhouette of the MiG-29 aircraft and I am sad that the days of service in our country of these beautiful aircraft, considered by many to be the most beautiful in the world, are numbered. That is why I am happy about every opportunity to take photos of them. White clouds interspersed with the blue of the cold Baltic Sea and the hot fire of afterburners will perfectly fit into the atmosphere of early spring and the first days of spring. Hence the calendar March.

APRIL

Date of taking the photo: 15.06.2024.
Object: Mil Mi-24, 56th Air Base, Polish Armed Forces Aviation.
Photoship: GippsAero GA8 Airvan.
Take-off/landing airport: Przylep, Inowrocław (Poland).
Mission: II World Helicopter Rally, Air-to-Air Meeting no. 30.
Photo set and settings: Nikon D850. AF-S Nikkor 24-120 mm f/4G ED VR (1/20 f/14 ISO 64).
More from this session: https://www.hesja.pl/galeria,980,atam-30.html
Why this particular photo?
Because I can't imagine my aviation calendar without a photo with a helicopter, without a photo from the Air-to-Air Meeting and without a photo from the World Helicopter Rally, a brilliant event that I have supported photographically from the very beginning. That's why this year we chose the Mi-24 combat aircraft, which graced us with its poses during the session before the 2nd World Helicopter Rally in Przylep.
April. Nature is starting to turn green. There's more and more sun. The colors of the photo are perfect for this time of year.

MAY

Date of taking the photo: 26.08.2021.
Subject: General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon, 161st Squadron, Turkish Air Force.
Photoship: CASA C-295M, 8th Airlift Base, Polish Air Force.
Take-off/landing airport: Malbork (Poland).
Photo session area: Gdańsk Bay, Hel Peninsula, Kuźnica.
Mission: NATO Enhanced Air Policing.
Photo set and settings: Nikon D850. AF-S Nikkor 24-120 mm f/4G ED VR (1/1000 f/6.3 ISO 160).
More from this session: https://www.hesja.pl/galeria,856,nato-eap.html
Why this particular photo?
There is a lot to say about this session, and to say that it was exceptional would be like saying nothing. It started so much in my (and not only my) life of aviaphoto, that I often wonder what would have happened to me after 2021, if this session had not taken place? I described it in more detail in the report at: https://www.hesja.pl/teksciwo,591,turaf---wyjatkowa-sesja.html
To cut a long story short, it was a session that was also not supposed to take place due to the hopeless (according to weather reports) weather conditions. Once again, thanks to a few positive people, everything, or almost everything, turned out brilliantly. I am talking mainly about the crew of our photoship and the Turkish pilots, who not only had a great time during the session, admired the great views of the Bay of Gdańsk and the Hel Peninsula, but also demonstrated exceptional piloting skills and showed what wonderful people they are. We are still friends and I am very proud of that.
The colors of the photo, with the striking green of this "underwater aurora borealis", should harmonize from our walls with the greens of May outside the windows.

JUNE

Date of taking the photo: 07.07.2022.
Subject: McDonnell Douglas EF-18M Hornet, 12th Wing, Spanish Air Force.
Photoship: Alenia C-27 Spartan, Lithuanian Air Force.
Take-off/landing airport: Šiauliai (Lithuania).
Mission: NATO Baltic Air Policing Block 59.
Photo set and settings: Nikon Z 9. Nikkor Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S (1/1000 f/6.3 ISO 1600).
More from this session: https://www.hesja.pl/galeria,898,vilkas.html
Why this particular photo?
Because things like this don't happen every day! The maneuver was taken directly from our ATAM Freestyles (Air-to-Air Meeting). The plane flies well below the Photoship ramp, then accelerates using afterburner, takes off dynamically upwards while shooting flares! Considering the Hornet's maneuverability at low speed and the pilot's exceptional skill, I was simply delighted with the results!
An interesting fact about this session is that we took the photos in the summer, at sunset, over the Lithuanian coast, where many people were walking. Since a few months earlier Russia had invaded Ukraine, causing great anxiety also in Lithuania, many people watching our maneuvers connected the dots and were convinced that something bad, related to the war, was happening above their heads! After the session, we saw how much commotion we caused on Lithuanian social media. How many hypotheses appeared in the published films. Speculations were ended only by the official announcement of the Mayor of Palanga. So much was happening that it is impossible not to include such a photo in the calendar! Why in June? Because in June it will be (I hope) hot! As hot as were the flares of this Hornet and the emotions during and after the session.
Do you want to admire the artistry of Antonio Mancebo, our mega pilot and fantastic Man, as it happens? Follow his Instagram account:
https://www.instagram.com/avviadorr/
 

JULY

Date of taking the photo: 23.01.2024.
Subject: Dassault Mirage 2000, Fighter Squadron 1/2, French Air Force.
Photoship: Alenia C-27 Spartan, Lithuanian Air Force.
Take-off/landing airport: Šiauliai (Lithuania).
Mission: NATO Baltic Air Policing Block 64.
Photo set and settings: Nikon Z 9. Nikkor Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S (1/1250 f/7.1 ISO 72).
More from this session: https://www.hesja.pl/galeria,967,bap-block-64.html
Why this particular photo?
This is another photo with this beautiful machine in the calendar. This time in a dynamic break somewhere above the clouds and in a very tight shot. Taking photos in January has the advantage that the sun is low above the clouds for almost the entire day and we have almost non-stop "golden hour". Every time I photograph a Mirage 2000, especially one piloted by the French, images appear before my eyes, and the music from the amazing aviation movie "Sky Fighters" (original name "Les chevaliers du ciel") plays in my ears. The warm atmosphere of the photo suits me perfectly for July!

AUGUST

Date of taking the photo: 07.07.2022.
Subject: McDonnell Douglas EF-18M Hornet, 12th Wing, Spanish Air Force.
Photoship: Alenia C-27 Spartan, Lithuanian Air Force.
Take-off/landing airport: Šiauliai (Lithuania).
Mission: NATO Baltic Air Policing Block 59.
Photo set and settings: Nikon D850. AF-S Nikkor 24-120 mm f/4G ED VR (1/800 f/7.1 ISO 250).
More from this session: https://www.hesja.pl/galeria,898,vilkas.html
Why this particular photo?
This was, by far, my best air-to-air session! And it's not even about the EF-18M aircraft, which I love. It's not about the sea, beautiful clouds and sunset. It's about the people who took part in this session. Both the photographers on the ramp and the pilots of the Lithuanian C-27J Spartan, and finally the most important - the wonderful pilots from the 12th Wing of the Spanish Air Force, who from our first contacts, then at the briefing, later during the session itself, but also after it were and are wonderful, easy-going people acting according to the principle of their Wing: "NO LE BUSQUES TRES PIES AL GATO" which means more or less that you shouldn't complicate what is clear and simple. They didn't complicate. They helped at every stage. They were mega flexible and willing to perform all elements of our session. It's also thanks to this approach that we have the effects we have and for that I am extremely grateful to them to this day. August will be the perfect month for this photo in the calendar.

SEPTEMBER

Date of taking the photo: 25.08.2023.
Subject: Lockheed Martin F-16 Jastrząb, 31st Tactical Air Base, Polish Air Force.
Photoship: Short SC.7 Skyvan, SKY FORCE Polish Parachute Center.
Take-off/landing airport: Radom (Poland).
Photo session area: Vistula River area south of Kazimierz Dolny.
Mission: International Air Show AIR SHOW Radom, Air-to-Air Meeting 26.
Photo set and settings: Nikon Z 9. Nikkor Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S (1/1000 f/7.1 ISO 800).
More from this session: https://www.hesja.pl/galeria,942,atam-26.html
Why this photo?
Because this was a session that we had been preparing for with "Slab" (F-16 Tiger Demo Team Poland pilot), and on site it turned out that it was to be canceled... After over an hour of discussion among the generals at the AIR SHOW Radom command, it was decided that... the session would take place after all! Just an hour later we were flying over the Vistula area south of Kazimierz Dolny and that's where the magic happened!
We had everything:
- a wonderful and ready and open-minded pilot,
- a beautiful aircraft,
- perfect sunset light,
- great background,
- permission to use flares and...
- tons of positive energy!
Ultimately, the effects exceeded our plans and expectations! Everything turned out brilliantly and, as usual, thanks to a few positive people.

OCTOBER

Date of taking the photo: 13.02.2024.
Subject: Lockheed Martin F-16 Jastrząb, 31st Tactical Air Base, Polish Air Force.
Photoship: CASA C-295M, 8th Air Transport Base, Polish Air Force.
Take-off/landing airport: Amari (Estonia).
Mission: NATO Baltic Air Policing, Polish Military Contingent ORLIK 12.
Photo set and settings: Nikon D850. AF-S Nikkor 24-120 mm f/4G ED VR (1/1600 f/7.1 ISO 100).
More from this session: https://www.hesja.pl/galeria,968,pkw-orlik-12-amari.html
Why this particular photo?
Continued from the INFO page. Seeing what was happening behind the ramp, I decided to lead our formation in such a way as to obtain the most artistic effects. The sun in the opposite direction, but in a strong point of the composition, the formation of the echelon left and 3… 2… 1… Opposing Break! The view was amazing! This photo had to be in the calendar. October? Not only because of the warm, autumn colors, but also because my birthday is on the 12th. Such a gift :)
PS. The white dots in the photo are not some dirt on my camera sensor, but ice crystals. I didn't remove them in post-processing, so that everything in the photo looks exactly as it was during the session.

NOVEMBER

Date of taking the photo: 12.10.2022.
Subjects: Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor Lockheed Martin, 90th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, US Air Force and F-16 Jastrząb, 32nd Tactical Air Base, Polish Air Force.
Photoship: CASA C-295M, 8th Air Transport Base, Polish Air Force.
Take-off/landing airport: Łask (Poland).
Mission: NATO Air Shielding 2022.
Photo set and settings: Nikon Z 9. Nikkor Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S (1/1250 f/9 ISO 320).
More from this session: https://www.hesja.pl/galeria,904,f-22-raptor.html
Why this particular photo?
Any aviation photographer who has had the pleasure of photographing Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor aircraft knows that it is a guarantee of an incredible experience every time! I have loved the Raptor for years and have had the pleasure of photographing it many times at various aviation events from the USA through Europe to Australia. On October 12, 2022, however, I had the incredible honor of preparing and conducting an air-to-air session with these wonderful machines together with Polish F-16s! The first session of this kind in Europe and probably one of the few in the world! I don't think that an aviation photographer who loves military aviation could be more lucky. This is my favorite photo in the calendar!

DECEMBER

Date of taking the photo: 31.10.2023.
Subject: Lockheed Martin F-16 Jastrząb, 31st Tactical Air Base, Polish Air Force.
Photoship: CASA C-295M, 8th Air Transport Base, Polish Air Force.
Takeoff/landing airport: Malbork (Poland).
Mission: NATO Enhanced Air Policing.
Photo set and settings: Nikon D850. AF-S Nikkor 24-120 mm f/4G ED VR (1/1000 f/6.3 ISO 220).
More from this session: https://www.hesja.pl/galeria,948,f-35-mig-29-f-16-malbork.html
Why this particular photo?
Nobody believed that we would take any photos that day in the morning. Our joy was even greater because of the success we achieved, because not only did we manage to make two flights, but the conditions during the second one were simply brilliant! When we add to this the amazing flying of our pilots, precise maneuvers and the use of flares, it is no wonder that we went crazy high above the clouds with happiness! This parting was the last accent of the session and let this photo be the last photo in the calendar. The flare fireworks will harmonize beautifully with the New Year's Eve fireworks at the end of 2025! :)

Are you interested in purchasing my Aviation Calendar 2025?
I invite you to place an order :)
 

You can order it here / Zamówienia:
In English:
https://www.hesja.pl/en,sklep,24,aviation-calendar-2025.html
 

Polska:
https://www.hesja.pl/sklep,24,kalendarz-lotniczy-2025.html