I will be going in March. I have actually started the validation process for the based-on certificate already, so I don't need more information on that.
I am about halfway through NVFR training, but maybe it won't be finished by March given the weather here. "Ground reference manoeuvers" sound like fun.
By the way, my flying is purely recreational, so I am not working towards any commercial rating. But maybe some day an IR or MEP would be nice.
I will have a look at Chandler (actually, I had already done so) and maybe drop them a line to have their opinion on what is feasible.