Timescale
Application submitted in April then an interview early June (waited the full 10 working days for a phone call), Sim early August (again waited the full 10 working days for a call). Offered a place in the hold pool then recieved a phone call mid september to be offered a position starting in Dec.
I understand from friends that the wait for the sim is about 3 months now, i think i was quite lucky to be able to take a reasonably early slot. When i recieved the phone call after the sim they did mention that people are pulled out of the hold pool based on the interview date and not the date that you do your sim or enter the pool.
Hope this is of some help
CCC