From the Carlisle News & Star
"AN OFFICIAL probe is underway into claims illegal charter flights have taken off from Carlisle Airport. The claims centre on two aircraft operated by WA Developments International, a company owned by Cumbrian businessmen Andrew Tinkler and William Stobart. The Civil Aviation Authority is investigating if the aircraft – a jet and a helicopter – were hired for private charters without an air operator’s certificate. This is a criminal offence that carries a fine up to £5,000 and, in the most serious cases, a prison sentence.
WA Developments International denies the claims. A spokesman for the Civil Aviation Authority said: “We are investigating allegations that a Falcon jet and an MD Explorer helicopter have been operated from Carlisle Airport for commercial purposes without a valid air operator’s certificate.”
It is understood that the helicopter has flown from Carlisle since August 2004 and the nine-seater French-built jet since November 2005. Both were sold this year. Airport director Richard Gordon dismissed the idea that either had been hired out for profit. He said: “They were used by the company as corporate aircraft. They were used by Andrew Tinkler and other directors.
“If somebody rang up and asked to hire them, they were told that we’re not in that line of business.” The Civil Aviation Authority insists that any organisation carrying fare-paying passengers has an air-operator’s certificate.
This lays down controls over management, crew training and working hours, aircraft maintenance and loading, and flight and fuel planning. Aircraft flying solely for private use are not subject to such strict monitoring. The Civil Aviation Authority also says that carrying fare-paying passengers without a certificate can invalidate insurance cover, including passengers’ life insurance."