Out of curiosity, does anyone know of a AA pilot flying without a military or Offshore background?
I know two. I first met both when I was learning to fly and they were instructors. They went the route that a lot of us do - instructing, some commercial flying eg charter work and pleasure flying, gradually gained more qualifications and hours, and applied for the job.
On permission to land, I distinctly remember Flying Lawyer telling me on here that you don't legally need a landowner's permission to land, but I don't remember now which thread it was.