Give it a go!!
I applied for my single engine charter and air-work AOC in November 2001. Was up and running in Feb 2002.
It was pretty well a non event. Had to submit a business plan and ops manual, sit the chief pilot interview and did a short flight test. I did have a few hic-cups due to a certain pedantic FOI, but all in all it was a piece of ****.
QANTAS it aint, but really, how difficult is it to operate a single engine charter operation?
Sometimes it feels like a large to small fortune scenario, but it's been a heap of fun and I've enjoyed being the boss.
Of course THINGS MAY HAVE CHANGED!! Plenty of anecdotal evidence around to support the belief that CASA are a bunch of *****.
Good luck, nice to see you having a go.
Two Dogs