Charles is recognized as one of the few full-time aviation photographers who not only records the images, but often writes about his subjects, having served for a number of years as the Field Editor of Private Pilot Magazine. He has contributed more than 2000 photos and 200 feature articles in 17 aviation publications. His work has appeared on numerous magazine covers.

For more than ten years, Charles has traveled throughout the United States, Europe, and Central and South America as an aviation photographer and writer. With his passion for the demanding art of capturing air-to-air images, he has worked with many of today’s renowned air show and aerobatic competition pilots including Patty Wagstaff, Michael Goulian, Sean D. Tucker, Gene Soucy and Steve Oliver.

In 2003, he began the transition to high-resolution digital photography, and since mid- 2004, Charles shoots exclusively with the new Canon 1D MKII digital camera. That move has required an education in the craft of working in the “digital darkroom”, an exciting opportunity to explore new techniques in the quickly advancing realm of professional digital photography.

Charles is a native and life-long resident of North Carolina. He enjoys traveling to assignments in his lovingly restored, and award-winning classic 1949 Ryan Navion.

In 2002, Charles H. Stites and his wife Sue were selected as “flag bearers” for North Carolina in the all-volunteer “Flight Across America" project, general aviation’s tribute to the heroes and victims of the 9/11 tragedy. He was selected as a pilot participant for both the 99th and 100th anniversary of flight ceremonial flights over the Wright Brothers Memorial at First Flight.

Charles is a Charter Member of the International Society for Aviation Photographers (ISAP), a Senior Member of SportsShooters, and a long term member of both the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), and the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA).