GB, I started to answer your questions, but it became a schemozzle because there were too many what ifs.
What types are you interested in, and what have you flown?
How experienced are you? (I'm talking flying here, mind out of the gutter now)
Are you a QFI?
Then we can let you know the relevant schtuff.
As a rough guide, jets are getting maybe 250 hr/yr, maritime say 500 - please correct me if I'm wrong here you other types people -
and it depends greatly on what type you fly how long you can expect to be away from home.
I had about 5 months away last year, but that was because we were involved in Timor, which was an abnormal situation.
Average time away - maybe a couple of months total a year? P3s probably have more than that, others less.
Christopher Robin, our posting friends can always hit you with the old ground job,
but there is a limited (a certain number per year can join it) specialist aircrew scheme, in which you forego promotion and keep flying for a 5 year stint. Or you can do like me and reasonable numbers of others and service transfer to prolong your flying career.
Cheers