The written exams might be a joke
But the practical and oral exam aint no child's play
To bloody right, every FAA check ride i have had made me work for it, including the oral checks. True, the exams are easy, but their system is more focused on the practical side, eg, can he/she fly.
Every JAA/EASA check ride i have had was a walk in the park. But the exams are harder, and there are alot more of them. Is this because they want you to fly the books better? Maybe. I always thought the exams were a way of weeding out those not commited enough. Each system has its good and bad points, but i prefer the FAA system overall, not just the training side, even though i am now regulated by the nice chaps in the Belgrano.
Cheers