What are the pros and cons to flying for a living and flying for fun?

If you are already in a flying job/career, in hindsight would you do things differently?

If you work a normal job and own a plane on the side, does ownership curb your temptation to fly everyday for a living?

Which path is more rewarding in your opinion?

no replies. fml.

not to be the jerk, but there are a million threads about this dude

Holy smokes, you ask a big question, and then complain when nobody has answered only a few hours later?

Are you really that in need of instant feedback?

If you are really at a life's crossroads, and are looking for thoughtful replies on which to assist your decisionmaking, I suggest you prepare yourself to donate more than the 5 or 6 hours between your posts to contemplate.

I suppose I didn't realize how big of a question I was asking. I have been reading these forums for over 5 years and just recently started posting. As much as I have read and learned on APC, it seems there is enough industry experience from all facets of aviation to instantly chime in opinions on the matter.

I looked for other threads like this (and even on other forums) but came up short for one consolidated place to find this information. Most forums discuss where and how to go about obtaining a career/job flying or focus on one negative/positive aspect about flying for a living. Maybe you can help point me in the right direction to a thread with this specific comparison.

Apologies if you were offended by my disappointment on the lack of activity on this thread. No harm was done to anyone.

Anyways, what would you do if you had the choice? What are the pros and cons in your experience?

Well, I'm a military dude. So, my career is partly about "flying for a living", but also partly about being a military officer for a living.

For me, it has been one of the best choices I've ever made in my entire life. I don't have a second of regret about what I've been able to do in the military.

I'm also a hobbyist pilot, and flew all ready before I ever joined the military...so I do both, actually. It doesn't get old for me, and fortunately my occupation (sometimes) allows me the time and means to fly for fun. Certainly the experience I've gained flying for the military has enhanced my skills and airmanship as a civil aviator in an enormous way, which I'm very thankful for.

Would I recommend it? For the right person, YES, without hesitation. But, it takes a certain type of individual and it may or may not be right for you.

Well my situation is a bit different. I did the four year degree in aviation (unfortunately) and I have all my licenses through CFI but couldn't obtain a job because of a saturated market in my location. I aimed all of my efforts, hobbies, and studies at the specific intention of becoming an airline pilot because it's all I ever thought I would do with my life. Until...

I did an internship and landed a great job despite the horrible economy. The only thing missing now is the fact that I'm not flying every day. It consumes my thoughts like a disease.

Given the two options to fly for a living or to fly as a hobby, can you obtain the same kind of enjoyment even though you aren't in the air flying for a specific occupational purpose (or flying jets)?

I can't answer your exact question but can give some insight into the civil aviation side. I have a non-aviation bachelors, a great job, and part ownership in a Mooney. My commute is 17 minutes, I don't have to worry about TSA, or long periods away from home. I fly when I want to and as often as my wife and checking account allow.

My employer permits me to use my plane for business trips and I am partially reimbursed for that. I can't expect them to pay extra for my "hobby" when a commercial flight will get me there cheaper. I gladly pay the difference, because it's like free or reduced cost flying hours.

I'm very happy with my situation. I have 1000 hours TT in 17 years of flying, which I assume you would find to be a drawback.

Good luck on which ever path you take!

Clipper, first of all I keep thinking you are working for Naverus making those custom RNP approach plates for valley approaches in rural Alaska. They called me for interview at one point, but I had something else going on at the time. Anyway, I definitely wobble between "yes, I need to fly full time to be happy" and "no, I can do it as a hobby and that's enough for me". The truth is it boils down to the devil in the details for each person. I have seen users at APC who were bushy-tailed and bright-eyed come away from aviation completely fried after no more than a year of professional work. Others like me seem to hang around in about the same mental condition for years. Others seem to be happy flying on the side as a hobby but they either are in the minority or perhaps they use another website. You also have to realize that many of those who love flying and are doing it professionally may not want to spend any additional time here talking about it. They might even be out flying their own personal airplanes and I know several pilots who fit that description. There is also a smaller group who comes to APC and eventually says this is not for me and "leaves the career" which is another section you should consult. So again, it is a more complex and personal question than any one answer can provide.

Nope. Working for the FAA. We do everything from RNPs and SIDs to issuing NOTAMs. Let me make this clear, it is a great job and I don't plan to leave nor do I want to leave-- I just want to know what (if anything) I am missing by not flying daily as a career.

I realize no one can make that kind of decision for me, but what I don't realize is what the grass is like on the other side. How different does an aviation career differ from personal GA flying? I guess I was looking for a glimpse into the joys of flying the line vs. the satisfaction gained by flying on your own dime on weekends etc..

I read a lot about the negatives here, but rarely see comments highlighting enjoying moments of the professional pilot career. It would be nice to have those kind of ideas to weigh against the negatives in order to get a proper depiction of what life is (can be) truly like.

The grass is always greener.. I'm just another pilot trying to find a balance between QOL while trying to satisfy my aviation bug.