Would you rather be an aircraft owner or professional pilot?

Adler said:
Even after a terrible month, one GA flight reminds me why I wanted to do this whole professional pilot thing in the first place.
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Exactly.

Flying my Citabria is a way for me to disconnect from the 121 world. I remind myself of why I love what I do for a living.
 
Adler said:
Even after a terrible month, one GA flight reminds me why I wanted to do this whole professional pilot thing in the first place.
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Springer said:
When I flying the DC-10 my thoughts were of flying my experimental plane. When I was home flying I never thought about the DC-10.
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ctab5060X said:
Flying my Citabria is a way for me to disconnect from the 121 world. I remind myself of why I love what I do for a living.
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So, are these votes for the "get another job and buy a plane to fly for fun" option?
 
I own my own plane and I fly professionally. I'll continue to fly professionally, as a fill in pilot, when I get out of the 121 world as well.

Flying for yourself is eleventy billion times better than flying for someone else.
 
Flying professionally and flying for yourself are so different and satisfy different parts of the brain.

 
Murdoughnut said:
I wouldn't fly in anything I built. :eek:
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I would love to build an airplane, like an RV. However, when I look at the cost and time, I could take take the TriPacer I already own half of and restore it for less time and money than building an RV from scratch.
 
I've found that aviation is the path for having your cake and eating it too. I am using my GI Bill to fly professionally. I own a Cirrus, and run a business. I also do quite a bit of photography. Whatever kind of flying I do, whether it be GA, or professionally, I am still able to do all of the other things that I love to do. I couldn't do that as a controller. Not by a long shot.

I'm sure that as I get more into the professional side, I'll start to loathe certain aspects of it, but it's the same with owning an airplane. Christmas Eve day, flying back from Albuquerque, I blew a right main rotor seal on the brake. $400, and 4 hours later, I was in the air. 6 hours later I was home after having to land at an airport closer to the house (E25), but not where the car was parked (SDL). Had it happened professionally, I'd have been pissed at the company. As an owner, I had no one to be pissed at. I also had no one else to foot the bill. Life happens.

It's all about trade-offs. But, I wouldn't trade my life for anyone's. Not even an SR-71 pilot's. Well... Maybe for a day, only if he's on the sked for the day. Maybe. Being in aviation has allowed me to structure my life this way. I feel truly blessed every day that I get to go fly an airplane, whether for school, or for work.
 
Flying doesn't have to be crazy expensive either like some seem to think. Pick up a champ for less than 20k and burn auto fuel at 4 gallons a hour. Make friends with a A&P and let him fly it once in a awhile for free labor on the annual. I know a few guys who don't make more than te average citizen but own planes and fly them often. It's all about getting the airplane that fits your budget. Hell some of the most fun I have had is flying around on a friends trike. That's cheap flying
 
ctab5060X said:
Exactly.

Flying my Citabria is a way for me to disconnect from the 121 world. I remind myself of why I love what I do for a living.
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Dude, we need to go flying sometime.. I'll bring the -6 down and we can chase each other around or something. ;)
 
I haven't been flying 121 very long but I already know that GA really helps me remember why I love the job. I definitely don't dislike 121 flying but it's sure nice to get in the 172 and go buzz around with a friend and do whatever. Still puts a big 'ol grin on my face.

I hope to some day own a small low and slow bird like an old C140 or Luscombe or Cub. Something of that sort. Maybe if I get really crazy I'll get a Super Cub. The RVs are cool but like others have mentioned you just won't fly the things like you would think. I would imagine 90% of any flying I'd do if I get my own plane would be within a 50 mile radius which definitely doesn't require a 180kt cross country plane.
 
bronco21016 said:
I haven't been flying 121 very long but I already know that GA really helps me remember why I love the job. I definitely don't dislike 121 flying but it's sure nice to get in the 172 and go buzz around with a friend and do whatever. Still puts a big 'ol grin on my face.

I hope to some day own a small low and slow bird like an old C140 or Luscombe or Cub. Something of that sort. Maybe if I get really crazy I'll get a Super Cub. The RVs are cool but like others have mentioned you just won't fly the things like you would think. I would imagine 90% of any flying I'd do if I get my own plane would be within a 50 mile radius which definitely doesn't require a 180kt cross country plane.
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When you have access to the speed, you do use it!
 
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