Springfield airline pilot and certified flight instructor Bill Batesole has received the Federal Aviation Administration’s Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award, the most prestigious award the FAA issues to pilots. The award recognizes individuals who have exhibited exemplary aviation expertise, distinguished professionalism and steadfast commitment for at least 50 years.
Batesole’s introduction to flying was a glider flight lesson in May 1970 from Johnnycake Airport near Torrington, CT, and he began flying gliders at Hartness State Airport in Springfield, VT, in 1972. In early 1975 he achieved the certified flight instructor glider rating and instructed first in Waterbury, CT, and later at Schweizer Soaring Academy at Harris Hill in Elmira, NY.
Following graduation from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in 1978, Batesole began piloting for Precision Airlines at Hartness Airport, eventually becoming the company’s chief pilot. In 1983 he joined Federal Express, now FedEx, and during the next 36 years flew the Airbus 310, Boeing 727, 757, 767 and 777. He flew the Boeing 727 for 17 years, seven years as a “check airman” training and evaluating other company 727 pilots.
For several years, Batesole was based in Germany, flying FedEx freight routes across Europe, before returning to the US and his Walpole, NH, residence. From there, he commuted to Hartford/Bradley Airport, and deadheaded on a FedEx or airline flight to Memphis. From Memphis, most assignments took him to Alaska, Japan, Taiwan and China, with an occasional trip to Europe.
During more than 50 years in aviation, Batesole has accumulated more than 20,000 hours of flight time, more than 1,900 hours in gliders, translated two soaring books from German to English and helped edit many articles for the Vintage Glider Club magazine. As an FAA certified aircraft mechanic, he has rescued and restored many antique airplanes and gliders.
During his FedEx career, Batesole remained involved in soaring at Harris Hill as a member of the Vintage Glider Club and as a trustee and board president of the National Soaring Museum. He has held nearly every position with New England Soaring Association at Hartness, and currently is a member of its board of directors.