In article 0,
Robert Moore wrote:

Mike Ash wrote
Anyway, my question: I think I understand the legal distinction between
licensing and certification, but what are the *practical* consequences
to me as a pilot in that distinction? In other words, how would my life
as a pilot be different if the US licensed pilots rather than certifying
them?

Probably none...but if the issuing authority calls a piece of paper or
plastic a "certificate", why would anyone call it something else?......
ignorance???

I ask the question because some people have discussed it as though it
were a matter of grave importance. I'm one of those people who thinks
that important matters have practical consequences, by definition. Now,
I realize that not everybody is like this, but the discussion around it
sure makes it *sound* like there's a practical consequence, and I want
to know what that consequence is, if any.

As to why you'd call it someone else, if it looks like a license, walks
like a license, and waddles like a license, I'm going to call it a
"license". It's easier to say and much more widely understood. Do you
refer to your car as a "motor vehicle"? That's what the authority calls
it, after all....

--
Mike Ash
Radio Free Earth
Broadcasting from our climate-controlled studios deep inside the Moon