Thanks for the advice guys - I do have huge concerns about borrowing so much but I am 27 now and am worried that if I hang about to earn some cash, then I could be losing out on jobs (as even if I start now I won't realistically graduate until I am 29).
It is a very big decision but at the moment I think my desire to fly is overriding any sensible thoughts about paying back the loan in the future. I do keep thinking long and hard about this but coming back to the same point every time - if I don't do this I will be kicking myself for the rest of my life!
I've just bought my first lottery ticket for Saturday so fingers crossed......