On 2006-07-04, wrote:
I'm sure I've come across posts from people here who seem to fly more
than one type of plane at a time, so I guess it's legal in the US to be
able to do so.

In any sane place, generally, small planes don't have type ratings. Only
airliners or larger aircraft (over 19500 lbs MTOW if I remember
correctly for the USA).

Most places though have some additional requirements (differences
training requirements) for some kinds of light aircraft, but that's not
a type rating. For example, in the US, you need instruction and a
logbook endorsement to fly a light aircraft with a tailwheel, or one
with an engine of more than 200hp, or one which is deemed 'complex'
(i.e. has flaps AND controllable prop AND retractable landing gear). But
it's not a rating, it's just some mandatory differences training.
Countries in Europe have similar 'differences training' requirements for
light planes.

It's not really the FAA or CAA or whoever in these countries that makes
all the differences training rules though, quite a bit is driven by
insurance. For instance, it's perfectly legal for me to fly a Beech
Baron without any extra instruction. Legally, I can just go out and fly
one having never ever set foot in one even as a passenger - I have a
multi engine rating. But no one would insure me to do so, and to rent one,
the FBO would require a lengthy checkout. The only plane I've ever flown
without a checkout was a single seater (Piper Pawnee, and various single
seat gliders).

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