I remember all too clearly, renting a helicopter 12-15 years ago in Boulder City to do a 'safety piloted' tour over the Hoover dam, Grand Canyon (permitted in those days), etc. and being surprised that i) I could fly down 'The Strip' in Las Vegas at night and at 1,000' in a SE machine and ii) that I could fly any helicopter (except Robinsons) if the owner would throw me the keys, without a separate ticket
. US aviation law seems much more relaxed and, in many cases I have to say, much more pragmatic when compared with Europe.