The technology does all the work and all you have to do is position yourself and track the aircraft.
Surely it can't be that simple nowadays?
Whatever happened to skill - and the odd ounce or two of luck? You're not telling the whole truth - as your excellent shots prove!
For air-to-air 'back when', I always used Ektachrome 200 as it forced you to get the exposure right. Speed priority program and spot metering on my trusty Canon T-70 with a 35-200 Tokina manual zoom and UV filter. Position, zoom, frame, half pressure on a dark bit to trap the settings, adjust zoom and frame....CLICK!