Ronnie1974,
HR asked me what my preference was when they phoned me this week to tell me I'd passed Stage 3. Our interviewers told us that the new way they're trying to sort out the college stuff means that we will all know whether we're on area or aerodrome at least as few weeks before we start. Looks like my start date will be July, but windneckin or Arrows2100 might be able to give you some more info - they're ahead of me in this grand process!