"you still needed a proper logbook endorsement of completion of the requirements under the old system, just as you do with the new system."
You are mistaken, and I have draw full of FSDO issued Wings Certificates to show that.
You had to document each of the requirements, but there was no "final signoff". Why would there need to be? There was no requirement to meet PTS standards for anything. The whole point was to encourage continuation training, not just make it a web powered BFR.
As far as online courses, all it would have taken would have been to just include the providers certificate of completion as all or part of the required ground training.
No need to give a million dollars to an incompetent government contractor.
Edited to add:
The old program's very simple and straight forward rules are
here.
For airplanes these were the flying requirements:
(1) One hour of flight training to include basic airplane
control stalls, turns, and other maneuvers directed toward
mastery of the airplane.
(2) One hour of flight training to include approaches,
takeoffs, and landings, including crosswind. soft field, and
short field techniques.
(3) One hour of instrument training in an airplane, FAA approved
aircraft simulator or training device.
Note that the requirement was for
training, the CFI was not required to conduct any sort of checkride.
Once you had your three hours of flight and the required ground training you had send that slip of paper ("wings card") to the FAA and they mailed you your pin and certificate.
Endorsement Verification. As pilots complete each
step of training outlined in paragraphs 7 or 8, whichever is
appropriate, their logbooks or other proficiency records
must be endorsed by the persons who gave the
instruction. That endorsement should read substantively
as follows:
Mr./Ms._________________, holder of pilot
certificate no.___________, has satisfactorily
completed the training requirements outlined in
Advisory Circular 61-9111, paragraphs 7a, b, c, d,
e, f, or g (state which)
/s/ (date) M. Smith, 385652472CFI or
/s/ (date) M. Smith, USUA Ultralight Instructor (or
other approved instructor)123454
Note: In the case of ultralights, no certificate number
is required.
b. Award of Pilot Proficiency Wings and Certificate.
The Pilot Proficiency Award certificate and the appropriate
wings will be awarded after the pilot's logbook or other
proficiency record (such as a properly documented "wings
card") is presented to the SPM for verification of
completion of training as stipulated in this AC.
The FAA guys handed out the 'wings cards' a pretty much every air show and safety meeting.
Simple, cheap, effective. Clearly this program had to go!!!!!