jochi,
My job contract ended in September leaving me 5 weeks before starting on 19th October Aerodrome course which was a nice break. This got cancelled and I was then on the 4th Jan course - an extra 11 weeks to wait. Now that has been cancelled I have chosen to switch to Area meaning another 4 1/2 weeks to wait. A total of just over 20 weeks without work.
I am fortunate that finances aren't too tight, but can't risk waiting for July 2010 Aerodrome - if that even runs! I passed my S3 on 5th June.