I got ya all beat. I started with flying lessons when I was a kid. Put more into it when I decided to learn how to work on those things. When I look back on 4500 hours and 25 years maintenance, I must have spent more that 400k for tools and training over that period for a job that I was lucky to get which paid only 35k/year. So now I'm happy with a $100/mo budget. Its WAY cheaper than flying, and almost as fun. Now for some Top Ramen...Yum!