1/ Prior to the student loan scheme there was no shortage of pilots, or perceived future shortage, or perceived strategic gain.
2/ This begs the question - Why do it?
Prior to this scheme many of those who trained did so with money earned doing whatever they could to pay. It was not a "realm of the rich" although it certainly did help.
The fact the system was poorly set up and badly administered only adds to the question. Have heard of these abuses even from over here. Like adding a rotary endorsment to your ATPL when you are shortly to retire etc. But then the scheme permits it , so why not?
Congrats to those of you quick enough to make use of the scheme.
Pity on those who come after you though. They will be doing it the old way AND waiting for a long time for the glut of licenses to dry up.
Cannot help but think the money wasted on this exercise could have been better spent on say, a strike wing for your airforce perhaps?