Thanks for the replies guys, Unfortunately I didnt get to go flying this weekend.....
For anyone else wanting to fly in Dubai, I think you should know the following, it is unfortunately NOT just a case of ring up, make a booking with an instructor and off you go.
I called the Dubai Emirates Flying School to enquire about taking a flight and was told before I could do this I needed an official pass to fly. This requires a couple of photos and your passport for ID, you take it to the flying school and you get your pass 1-2 WORKING DAYS later, but you need to specify when you want to fly because the pass is valid for that day only for casual flyers - I guess its different if you are doing a course or several flights etc. I guess this may be in response to the events of 9/11, and so I cant knock the security aspect too much, it just hasnt fit in with my work plans too well...
So no luck this time, but if the opportunity comes up during the week sometime I will try it.
Regards, SD