I guess we all make our choices, mine was in the end a career of driving trains where they paid you for every qual you required, and during the 30 odd years of doing that raised the 2.3 kids, drove Fords & dabbled in Motor Racing with 3 Aust Championships wins, had to go in & out of the aviation scene (you can only afford so many toys) stayed in contact with all the aeroclubs I had flown with & against much advice purchased my own C172H for 40K from the local aero club. Net result is around 2K a year for the annual + avgas keeps the old girl in the air & I cross hire it to the club to assist in paying the insurance & hangar costs (damn sight cheaper than the motor racing) Did my CPL theory with Bob in Brissie but would love to do the instructor rating to retire in disgrace. We all have our druthers but I hope in the end we come to accept that in life the journey is the object rather than the destination.
cheers
A172
ps don't forget the aero club ball in Oct in YGLI