Let us assume that a company operates it's own fleet of aircraft - including helis. There is no AOC involved - all the flights are deemed private because they are either flying staff, customers or suppliers around.
It's when you look at the AOC definition of "valuable consideration" that you start to question whether these flights conform with the law.
If a potential supplier is flown apparently FOC, and then that supplier gives a large discount to the company - could this not be construed as "valuable consideration."
In the CAA Summary of The Meaning of Public Transport - which has just been updated and I give the link below - much is made of "valuable consideration" :
".......This term has a very wide meaning, including the provision of goods and services. "
So, to come back to "N" flights and "fare-paying passengers", surely we should be talking about valuable consideration ? It's still not within the law and the CAA were right to prosecute - but doesn't it question the Ops of our mythical large manufacturer ?
CAA
http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/122/summar..._transport.pdf
Post edited to remove material which could identify the company you suggest might be carrying out illegal PT flights.
You were very quick to complain recently when people said the helicopter operated by your company infringed the Regs on occasions - even though they didn't give the registration or name your company.
Heliport