Not sure its protectionism Frank, just ill-judged regulation.
My reading of it is that the CAA got worried about 30 years ago as a result of things like amateur flying displays, joyrides, illicit charter, and a general carefree attitude with an unacceptable accident rate. As a result there was a tightening up of which the BCPL was a part.
Unfazed
You haven't answered my question. What is the difference in validity? None.
Mike