Crazy_bird, thanks for your great information and insight.
Have you any comment or information on the first reply to my message which was about 28 cadets waiting over 6 months to get into base training? As for me, that would be a financial hit that I couldn't take beyond what I've already prepared for with course costs and housing etc.
In fact, perhaps you could PM me your contact details and we could grab food sometime and have a chat? I'll buy of course! I'm in Dubai now.