@RHINO,
I beg to differ...
Agreed, the early stages of 'Flexicrew' while the cadets are receiving Type Rating and line training would be legal - it's the act of leaving them in post indefinitely as contractors known as
disguised employment which is then illegal. Flexicrew are then just the same as the Storm McGinley and Brookfield guys at Ryanair.
Feel free to argue with HMRC IR35.
HM Revenue & Customs: Employment status
Pay particular attention to the bit about halfway down that link entitled
'Employed or Self Employed? I think that will clarify exactly where Flexicrew, Brookfield and Storm McGinley stand...