I don't know everything, never claimed to. That is why I know (a) when to ask someone who does and (b) when to use terms such as "as far as I am aware" to indicate that I am making a suggestion of what the case might be, and a line of enquiry to make, such as my point he might be able to operate alone. By the way the suggestion on that seemed to be that another employee might be needed for operations, although Steve should obviously check with someone more expereinced than I.
We are trying to help Steve here; childish sulks and misrepresentation of what I say are distinctly unhelpful. Surely if you have anything reasoned to say then post that, it is more likely to give Steve an idea of what is possible.
I did not say anywhere that it was easy to set up an AOC, if you bother to read; I said that the flight operations are not difficult. If you see anything difficult in them, or that could not be monitored adequately for safety (I mean in practical terms, rather than to comply with arbitary regulation) by a flight instructor, kindly point out what it is.
Actually if Steve buys in the paperwork and consults with people who have done similar work before (several of whom I know, and can poin him in the direction of if he needs) I suspect that setting up the AOC for this type of operation is not especially difficult, certainly not as complicated as you suggest.
So how come you know that all AOCs cost more than £100k to set up? Where did you get that attitude?