On 23 Dec 2003 15:38:59 GMT, Steve Robeson K4CAP wrote:

Your "first phone" was not acceptable for operating an aircraft radio.
The FAA did not accept ANYTHING except the Restricted Radiotelephone Permit
as late as the 1980's.

One could not hold an RP and a higher grade of radiotelephone
operator license (which WAS valid for aircraft use) at the same time.
It was the Radiotelephone Third Class Permit with Broadcast
Endorsement that was not valid for aircraft operation.

The solution was the License Verification Card, the same shape and
color as the RP, attesting to the fact that the holder held an FCC
radiotelephone or radiotelegraph First or Second operator license.
The FAA was quite aware of this situation.

We were asked about that many times by student pilots who held First
or Second Class Radiotelephone operator licenses in that era and never
got any feedback that the FAA wasn't accepting it in lieu of the RP.

--
73 de K2ASP - Phil Kane