Dodgy or legit?

[bookworm]

Originally Posted by JumpJumpJump

https://en.wingly.io/index.php?page=...s&flight=49241

Is a "sightseeing flight" not an AOC operation in the UK?

No, it is not. The purpose of the flight is immaterial to whether or not the flight is commercial air transport, unless that purpose is inherent in the exceptions to commercial air transport set out in the Air Ops regulation (e.g. as in (b) and (c) below). In this case, it appears to be operating as a cost-shared flight:

2(1) ‘commercial air transport (CAT) operation’ means an aircraft operation to transport passengers, cargo or mail for remuneration or other valuable consideration;
…
5(1). Operators shall only operate an aircraft for the purpose of commercial air transport (hereinafter ‘CAT’) operations as specified in [Part-ORO and Part-CAT].
…
6(4a). By way of derogation from Article 5(1) and (6), the following operations with other-than complex motor-powered aeroplanes and helicopters, balloons and sailplanes may be conducted in accordance with [Part-NCO]:

(a) cost-shared flights by private individuals, on the condition that the direct cost is shared by all the occupants of the aircraft, pilot included and the number of persons sharing the direct costs is limited to six;

(b) competition flights or flying displays … [conditions]

(c) introductory flights, parachute dropping, sailplane towing or aerobatic flights … [conditions]