Be careful when choosing a consultant, there are many out there as our mod pointed out but this business is full of bullsh** artists of note.
Some of the so called consultants I've had the misfortune to come across were the biggest pretenders I've ever met and hadn't got a clue.
They pretend to have worked with this airline and that and were instumental in gaining such and such approvals etc.
They're not regulated and don't have to stand by the work they do for you (or don't do). In a past life we used some consultants for the same thing you're trying to do, get an AOC, and the mess they made was incredible, they actually set us back on our time frame and tried to pawn manuals off on us that weren't suitable. Not only had they not written them themselves, they were written in accordance with another regulatory authority's requirements i.e if you want a UK AOC don't go accepting any offers of consultancy from Americans etc.
They looked good on paper but monkeys in suits would have done a better job.
Especially these days, the aviation industry is awash with hacks looking for work and all posing as consultants.
Bottom line, check references thoroughly, find out where they've really been if you can and your local CAA might be a good place to get a good recommendation.
Best of luck with it.
Hustle On
