I really don't understand what all the fuss is about.
After all, you will surely at least want a checkout. And once the checkout is done, all that needs to be added to make it into "differences training" is a signature in a logbook.
It is not possible to use your MEP differences training towards SEP. That is quite clear when you read the relevant JAA documents. MEP and SEP differences training are different - there is no variable pitch, retractable, turbo, etc, training for an MEP (because differences training is required for every type), so therefore it is impossible (however logical it might sounds) to carry over training for something which doesn't exist in MEP-world to SEP-world.
Whopity points out that the version of JAR which I've quoted is not the one which is referenced by the ANO. That is true, but the version 3, which is referenced by the ANO, contains exactly the same list actually in the body of the document. Unfortunately, I don't know of anywhere to get a copy of this from right now that I can quote from.
HWD quoted something from LASORS which sounds very sensible, but is not correct - it directly contradicts the JARs. There are just a few areas where the CAA's "definitive guide" is not, unfortunately, difinitive.
But, as I said (and as Cobalt says too in his summary), who cares? Just do your checkout and get the instructor to sign your logbook, and it's done. No one is trying to rip anyone off, or force anyone to do 5 hours of unnecessary training. (Well, certain schools might, but I'm definitely not.) I'm just trying to make sure you've got all the required sigantures to be legal, and not just the knowledge to be safe.
FFF
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