Originally Posted by
the King
That's not really a recent development. 61-65 has been around the block a few times. Easiest way to do the endorsement, plus it's an easy way to check to make sure all the endorsements are set before sending a student for any kind of checkride.
He's probably thinking specifically of the case I was:
http://ntsb.gov/alj/o_n_o/docs/AVIATION/4634.pdf
But you're right. The "safe harbor" of the 61-65 (think it's 61-65E now) endorsements have been around for a while.