Slave,
I don't think I am missing the point but sympathise that maybe the CAA have made the licensing jumping hoops too tight; I can't comment further on that.
I am quite sure that a pilot would not pass these exams, any more than an engineer would pass a pilot's meteorology, navigation or aircraft tech exam without the required training.
I am only trying to put forward the view of a pilot with some experience of what the thread is about. I was prompted by a couple of respondents putting forward that pilots are a bunch of prima donnas who will do anything to avoid breaking a fingernail. Some of us don't mind too much getting our hands dirty and have proved ourselves to be competent to carry out certain engineering tasks. In doing so we have allowed an engineer to get a good night's sleep. I think that is what the dispensations were designed for.
I repeat my view that pilots have no intention to take bread out of your mouths BUT if a formal qualification WERE to be required for pilots, then that is a possible consequence.
I'll say no more now unless invited.