Two small points:
1) The rule about alternating sim/ aircraft for renewals still has not come into force, despite being in LASORS 2006. Linda's post above is still valid and current.
2) Although you need a valid IR to commence an initial type rating, don't forget that if you're flying a multi-pilot aircraft, you end up with a MPA IR at the end of the TR. Your ME(SPA)IR doesn't give you MPA IR privileges and your MPA IR doesn't give you SPA IR privileges. Therefore if you have a shiny type rating on a 737 or something and still want to fly in clouds in your PA34, you still need to renew your old IR separately. Phew!
