Pilot on trial over alleged illegal flights
THE trial of a North Queensland pilot accused of flying members of the Katter’s Australian Party on chartered flights illegally has begun.
On the first day of the trial on Tuesday, Josh Hoch pleaded not guilty to all 14 counts against him, including dishonestly gain benefit at a value more than $30,000, several counts of dishonestly gain benefit, and five counts of not authorised to perform a duty.
Multiple witnesses including Katter’s Australian Party leader Bob Katter, Traeger MP Robbie Katter, and Hill MP Shane Knuth, are set to be called to give evidence through the trial.
In his opening address, Crown prosecutor Edward Coker said it would be alleged Hoch had operated chartered flights around Western and North Western Queensland across multiple dates spanning 2011 to 2015 without holding either, or both, the proper licence or authorisation to fly that kind of flight.
Mr Coker said during the alleged offence period, Hoch had not held a valid Civil Aviation Authorisation nor an Air Operator Certificate (AOC).
In addition, he alleged Hoch to have held only a private pilot’s licence, and not a commercial licence.
Mr Coker said in order for Hoch to have legally conducted and paid for the chartered flights, he must have held a commercial licence.
It was heard Hoch only obtained a commercial licence in 2015, after the alleged offending.
It will be further alleged that Hoch issued invoices for the flights dishonestly, and gained a benefit for himself.
The dishonestly gain benefit charge particulars include allegations that Hoch dishonestly gained benefit from the Queensland government after issuing invoices for flights for Mr Knuth while he had not held an AOC.
A further charge alleges Hoch gained benefit from the commonwealth from his transport of Mr Katter MP and his staff.
Mr Coker said neither Hoch nor his companies Hoch Air Pty Ltd and Flying Fitters Pty Ltd had been entitled to payment because they had not held an AOC.
Another charge alleges Hoch gained a benefit after he picked up ballot materials in relation to the 2015 state election.
The court was told that a private pilot’s licence allowed a pilot to fly in instances that did not involve payment – save for one exception: a “cost sharing flight or arrangement”.
Mr Coker said there were multiple conditions to a “cost sharing” flight versus a chartered flight, including that the costs were paid in relation to making the flight, not the payment for the service, and not for a profit.
Three witnesses were called on the first day including a former Civil Aviation Safety Authority investigator.
The trial continues.