FL,
When does one become able to use the term "Captain"....upon obtaining a Commericial License, ATPL, command of a crew served aircraft? Does one ever lose the claim to the use of "Captain" once gained....say if one returns to flying single pilot....or losing one's medical certification?
I never did grasp the finer points of "rank" as used in the British Social Structure....something about Men wearing Garters gave cause for thought while trying to figger this out. Seemed an odd thing for grown men to hope for....remembering my humble American heritage which handicaps my understanding of such things.
It seems in the US of A....one has to be an Airline Pilot-in-Command before being crowned a Captain....or having a USCG comericial license or being in command of your own vessel....something bigger than a "boat".