To Fly or Not to Fly? That is the question.
 

So I need some thoughts from the peanut gallery. I have been offered a pretty good paying got in aircraft parts sales good pay bens 9-6 mon-fri. So this job versus flying as instructor or maybe one day charter or 121. My only hang up about the sales job is that it's not flying and it's a desk job and I have been flying 500 or so a year for the past year. Thing is I love flying and don't know I much I can give up and still be satisfied? So any thoughts at all hit me.

Can you do part time flying instruction? Just on Saturday mornings for example, to keep your hand in.

Thoughts?
Yep - keep flying/instrucitng for a part-time job or just for the fun of it if the other job allows you the disaposable income and time for flying as a recreational acitivity.
Sounds like it could be the best of both worlds.

USMCFLYR

Fly on the side
 

Buy a small plane and fly for fun. When you are older you can return to professional aviation after the bills are paid.

Skyhigh

I guess it's different for everyone. Me personally I tried to leave the industry all together then tried the non flying side of aviation. My experience, for what it's worth, I was always looking at the people that were flying and wished I was there. I think if you truly love to fly it will be hard to watch others do it while you fly a 172 "for fun" . Just my two cents. Good luck with the decision hope you find a way to make it work.

I have never been in the aviation industry, and fly piston singles. Get the "good" job, and into a flying club with an aircraft for your type of flying.

We had a five member club with a Mooney. I was able to fly for pleasure and business anywhere in a ~700 nm radius at the drop of a hat. No TSA, no crowds, I knew where my bags were, etc.

Renting sucks as it's expensive (hourly rate + insurance), and you can't go anywhere for more than 3 hours.

It's worked for me..............

Good Luck!

As a guy that's flown most of his life and is now sitting on the sidelines, I'd say make sure that you want to give up the life by taking the good paying ground job.I lost my medical and miss it.
I started flying when I was single and met my wife when already established in my flying career. 18 years later, I'm currently a stay at home Dad looking for work. Ultimately you have to decide for yourself, but I think I'd stick with the flying until you work the bug out of your system. :)

Meeting the basic needs to live is always a key requirement. If either job allows you to do that, then keep flying. You can always sit at a desk, but flying may be limited as you get older. Follow your passion and do what you really want.

Thanks for all the advice.

Or just fly for a living and pay the bills. Let someone else pay you to fly, rather than paying for it yourself.

Personally I'm not satisfied without flying; I do flying and non-flying jobs. I really can't see working hard for a living, however, only to spend that money on expensive aircraft rental or ownership, when I could be working for a living by getting paid to fly.