Adam,
Yes, that is why the scope of Paragraph 4 is being questioned.
However, if you wish to buy a ticket and put your children/mother into a helicopter which is being flown for the purposes of transportation (CAT), wouldn't you like to know that the pilot is not diluting his skill set by flying many types?
All things being equal, normal operations are never a problem; it's when abnormal conditions obtain or an emergency occurs that skills/competence are tested.
If you wish to see other opinions on this, look to the recent discussion about flying two (very different) variants of the same type on the North Sea. Consider also flying two versions of the same type with analogue and glass cockpits.
Airbus have got to terms with this by providing the same look-and-feel for their range of models; in the same vein EC have taken a similar approach with their cockpits and autopilots.
As with all of these issues, there is nothing wrong with the principle, it is the provision of appropriately scaled regulations that is tricky.
Little is gained by sitting on the sideline and saying it is all crap - engaging in the process of provision of the rules is the key.
Jim
Last edited by JimL; 20th January 2011 at 15:50.