You do not need a degree for the Proffessional Studies loan for Commercial Pilots Licence (That is how they quote it I think in their literature.)
As I am sure you know, HSBC sell a product that most branches know nothing about. When I went to my local branch in Halifax (West Yorkshire), nobody had a clue. They said without a job at the end of the training no chance. They made me wait a week to tell me that.
I went into the branch in Leeds, since Leeds is a large city, with the logic that the larger branches would possibly be a bit more clued up. They seemed to be a bit more clued up, although they still seemed a little unsure of the Proffessional Studies loans for CPL. I think that they had a bit of experience with Proffessional Studies loans for post graduates.
In the end they were going to give me £30K secured. My parents thought a gaurantee meant that if I couldn't make the payments they would. It didn't. A gaurentee meant HSBC wanted second rights to the house. If I couldn't pay they would take the house of my parents. My parents didn't like this, so I was unable to take the loan.
If I remember correctly, they said that they would give me £10K maximum unsecured. I'm bearing that in mind....