Too late? For what? you only get one go!
Left rat race after 17 years in IT sales in 2004, at age 40. PPL to CPL, MECIR and now fly mixed GA from Tiger Moths to Caravans for a living and loving it! In my first year I took a 90% pay cut, now after three years have clawed that back to about 80%! So I did not do it for the money, then why?
I have always, and I mean always wanted to be a full time pilot but for various reasons had stuck to the safe path of career and financial security. Now I just love getting up in the morning. Last week is typical:
Monday: Flying out to barrier reef in an Islander
Tuesday: Day off at the beach
Wednesday: Islander again
Thursday: Day at home
Friday: Mine run charter in Caravan
Saturday & Sunday: Aerobatic joy flights in Tiger Moth
Such is the life of a GA pilot, now I am 43 and have another 22 years of this to look forward too. I will expire poor but happy.
So my humble advice, if you are happy in your secure day job, then fine, fly as a hobby. But think about sitting in your armchair in front of the fire at 65 and be sure that there will be no regrets. Otherwise, go for it, here in Australia even the mainline airlines are taking 40 somethings as they are so short of pilots if that is your bag.
Personally I love the variety GA offers.
ASW28