About to invest...

[thorn bird]

See a lot of adds for drone flying schools about the place, maybe as the general side of aviation would appear to be in terminal decline it might be more prudent if you have that itch that needs scratching, go do a drone commercial licence.
I guess in time CAsA will come up with drone instructors ratings, drone instrument ratings, drone ATPL's, drone chief pilots, drone safety managers, drone compliance officers, drone maintenance managers, drone maintenance controllers et al. They could add to their logo "DRONE JOBS FOR ALL". That of course will take them, if the airplane side of things is an example, thirty years or so, and a billion dollars give or take.
The drone route is the only aviation growth industry in town.
It may give you at least enough years to make retirement money before CAsA price it out of business.

The other option is go to a country that actually wants a general aviation industry.

[Frank Arouet]

Having previously owned Austers I can say I have a healthy respect for the type which by its very nature makes anyone who can master them a good pilot. Three of my five real forced landings were successfully carried out in Austers. BPA used Austers, Joh Petersen owned an Auster and used it as the government aircraft before the HS. Austers were used in The Antarctic on skis and although floats made for glacial take off speeds they did the job. The military used them and the taylorcraft, (Yank) featured them on most theatres. They were favorites of the bush Clergy and many people made their first quid with one as were many Christians indoctrinated because of the type. They probably represent the most useful and cost effective aircraft you could buy today that will carry a load faster than the camel. They suffered at the hands of lazy engineers when the Major inspection was abolished and replaced with annuals and the wood spar was problematic especially when the laminating glues aged. As for an investment, they don't have a large upfront risk and you would probably recoup the investment whenever your business failed.

[The name is Porter]

radiodude,

I come from a slightly different perspective, did my commercial reasonably young, wasn't any work when I finished so went elsewhere in aviation. Got myself current in my mid thirties and had no problem picking up work (instructing, other stuff) from fellas who'd prefer a more life experienced (not more mature) person.

I didn't give anybody any advice as I was a public servant (doesn't give you any life skills) so that may have smoothed my path

15 years after that I've got ****loads more grey hair and often think 'f@rk this' but aviation isn't an easy habit to break, wouldn't have it any other way

Get into mate, oh, and go to Oshkosh

[Donwoody]

Do it radiodude. I started a flying career in Sept 2009 at 38yo in GA. In April 2014 I got my first jet FO gig. It is hard work but you'll have no regrets.