Pan Am Pilot Bill Spence — Professional Aviator and Martial Artist

Pan Am Pilot Bill Spence: Karate Black Belt and Gentle Friend

I first met Pan Am pilot Bill Spence when I moved to California to fly for Pan Am. We shared a love of music, which led my wife and I to settle in the same city as Bill and his wife. Over the years, our friendship grew — from time spent in the cockpit to evenings spent talking about music, photography, and, in Bill’s case, martial arts.

From Guitars to Martial Arts

When we met, Bill was learning guitar, but soon his focus expanded to martial arts. I introduced him to judo in 1968, and from there he went on to study Tai Chi and Karate. His dedication paid off — he earned a black belt in Karate and even taught for a time.

On Pan Am layovers, Bill often practiced Tai Chi in hotel hallways. More than once, an unsuspecting guest opened their door to find him mid-stance, which understandably startled a few people. He’d quickly break the pose and apologize — a perfect mix of discipline and good humor.

Capturing the Karate Master

We decided to photograph Bill in his black belt karate pose using my 4x5 camera. This type of camera requires precision — one negative at a time, a hood over your head to focus, and the perfect timing to capture the exact millisecond of the strike.

Bill Spence - Karate Black Belt - Photo by Bill Travis

For this shot, I wanted his eyes sharp in focus and his fist blurred to show the motion and power of the punch. Bill had to take two steps into the strike and stop precisely where the focal point was set. Under the hot lights, we rehearsed multiple times until everything lined up.

The final image shows the punch at full extension, accompanied by the kiai — the sound that unites mind and body at the moment of impact. Bill worked up a sweat, but the result was worth it: a portrait of intensity and focus.

Two Sides of a Pan Am Pilot

In one photo, Bill wears the Pan Am pilot uniform — the image of a calm, capable professional you’d trust at the controls of your flight. In the other, he’s the disciplined martial artist, a man of control and precision who could “ruin your day” if provoked.

Pan Am Pilot Bill Spence - Photo by Bill Travis

But anyone who knows Pan Am pilot Bill Spence knows the truth — he’s a mild-mannered, gentle, fun-loving man who throws himself wholeheartedly into whatever he chooses to do.

If you enjoyed this profile of Pan Am pilot Bill Spence, explore more in my Pan Am Legacy Series, where I share stories of the remarkable people I had the privilege to fly with. Visit my Blog to read more.