I know we have covered this loads of times but you cannot make it pay having just one or two machines on your own aoc , much better to use somebody elses and pay them for the privilege on a cost per hr OR just build up a client list who are happy to become the operator themselves , lease them the heli and get them to make their own contract with the pilot . This is then private flying and accepted as such by the CAA . You have to do it properly ie no recharging to individual pax etc There has never been a prosecution by the CAA of a properly conducted lease flight ...period. If you want to do small ad hoc flights , weddings etc then it is aoc but these flights tend to be small and not worth the trouble anyway . Also make sure your insurance covers you for all commercial lease flights in writing and if in any doubt check with the caa , as i have done . Of course if they brought in a sensible aoc for the small operator that would work we would all go in to make life simpler , but that is not their way
