Canadian: nice initial post
OEI - This post of yours has been done to death on pprune, can't remember where and can't be bothered to look for it as I'm off to Turkey for a break in 3 hours
Yours is a long arduous route, it's been trod by thousands before you and will be by those following - no doubt. It'll cost you everything you've got, both in time and money, especially if you do it piece meal as you propose to do it. At the end - you will join the queue like everyone else and eek out an adequate income ranging from survivable to comfortable dependent on who you end up with and what you actually do commercially.
make no bones about this venture OEI - you will struggle to survive.
Now the good bit - it means that you will be doing something very few people get to do (frequently) and you might even get paid for it too! Every day will be different because every day airbourne requires totally different awareness of the environment. You will be breaking those surly bonds that tie you to earth
It's unique.
There is only ONE thing that will keep you afloat - financially and emotionally: PASSION. The rest is clutter................
If it's not in your blood, if there is any element of doubt...walk away and get a proper job sunshine