From experience dont worry about the meeting with HSBC they are more than happy to throw money at you at currently 6% from issue of the cheque
If you are sure that you want this loan do yourself a favour dont bother with your own branch as they are usually baffled by the reasoning that the mad man sat in front of them would ever get a job as a pilot with the airline industry on its knees, go to the branch local to your fto as it is usually in contact with the fto and better clued up
One thing they did ask me for was written confirmation of a job offer at the end of the course!!!!!!! BONKERS!!! madness they were more than happy to lend the money if I was to do the MSc of my degree when nearly everyone that I graduated with is either unemployed or doing non-related jobs. But thats OK yet another hurdle as if the aviation industry wasnt enough!
the way I have done it is to get a CDL which gives you 8K 0% mixed with savings gives me enough to complete the groundschool and CPL modules before having to either remorgage or go with HSBC therefore cutting down interest payments to the min. But make sure you have the option to take out an extension on the load to cover the CDL before the interest honeymoon period ends as it can become quite expensive