Took Private Pilot Ground school through a local community college in high school. Started flying at 18 in college...4 years of college later (2 as a student and 2 as a part time CFI) I had about 800 hours and over 100k in debt. One year after graduation and a year as a full time CFI I had about 1500hrs...went to Mesa...and that's where the real payment happened. Lost about 5 years off my life from frustration and high blood pressure...got out after a year and went to RAH...been there 3 years and overall like it.