It still distorts the total aeronautical experience.
You're right here Jet_A, but I suggest that it distorts it towards a more balanced total.
Compare two examples:
1) PPL Holder hires a C152 for an hour of circuits as they build hours towards CPL.
2) FO in an RPT operation is made responsible for all decision making and aircraft handling (with supervision by a Captain) on a sector of one hour, including conduct of flight planning, weather diversion and an instrument approach.
Has the FO not earned a full hour in the log book (rather than the 0.5 he would earn as Co-pilot)? Or is it fair to say that the PPL holder is accruing aeronautical experience twice as fast?
Right - I'm off to supervise a Captain for the day!
Icarus