I've done your nightmare job and totally understand your aversion (especially when I got moved into a building with no windows, then I was out.)
And omg, YES please do that! I've had the briefest taste of flying a helicopter and it's both very difficult and very awesome. Would love to read all about it.
I never ended up in an office. Got distracted somewhere at the end of high school, and just drifted through factory work, until self employment. Glad you survived your experience.
Helicopter pilot would be cool. Would make for great writing material, that's for sure.