SoCal, to further answer your question about the understanding of basic regs and protocols, we're all of us this side of the Atlantic going to have to go back to school come 2012 when EASA assumes full control of European aviation regulation.
It's hard enough for those of us who make a living in GA to get to grips with what EASA is proposing to throw at us. But heaven help your average part-time, recreational pilot, who will have to re-learn a whole raft of flying privileges/restrictions come the big switchover in 15 months time. It wouldn't surprise me in the least if a large number of pilots simply quit flying rather than jump through EASA's newly minted, gold-plated hoops.
Regards, jez