Originally Posted by galaxy flyer

JamesAA,

Be careful, the choice of "fly professionally or for fun" is a false one. Loads of professionals find flying fun, loads of other professionals find flying drudgery or soul killing. Loads of "amateurs" fly haphazardly, loads of other "amateurs" fly so professionally they'd put the pros to shame. Point being, aviation takes a deep dedication, a devotion to the task not unlike a love that makes a marriage go "until death".

The life is difficult, civil or military, pay won't be what you expect, you are tested and subject to medical standards in ways no other professional is, you will be tied to a business enterprise that has vast amounts of money to provide you with a machine to use your skills. Lawyers, accountants and doctors can genuinely put out their "shingle" and earn a livelihood. As pilot, if someone won't spend millions on you, you're no more than a homeless person. Think about that.

GF