Yes Sir , the "Practical Examinations" which were dreaded by most were an interesting experience , that's for sure . I was SUPER lucky in that my whole life I have been a "motorhead" and grasped all of the principles of Cam timing & magneto timing and that was the thing most folks really dreaded . During the practicals the FAA IA would take either the left or right magneto out of a test stand mounted Continental A65 , give it a few spins , spin the prop once or twice for good measure , and then tell you to put it back and have no more than 25 RPM mag drop during the L&R mag test . Not to brag , but I was so good at it that my instructors all had bets on how fast it would take me to have it reinstalled & pass the mag check .

Also , you make a great point about how each AMA chartered club I've ever belonged to requires a "check ride" no matter who you are , no exceptions . At the club level it's very easy to determine who can fly and who still needs a bit more training , but our system which works so well for us provides the FAA no proof that any of the NON club flyers who are flying FPV drones from their backyards have the knowledge & skills required to fly . AMA and or club member ? = should be enough to allow LOS RC operations . Want to fly a drone BLOS ? = yea , I can see the FAA wanting proof that person actually knows what's required of him .