Tougher rules for non-U.S. pilots of private planes

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The FAA is making it tougher for non-U.S. pilots to get licenses to fly private planes.

The agency will now require those pilots to prove they have a valid pilot's license from another country and show photo identification. Law enforcement agencies will also check the pilots against a watch list that is used to spot terrorists or those suspected of having terrorist affiliations.

"There have been various security concerns expressed after September 11th about the ability of pilots with foreign licenses to get an FAA certificate," said FAA spokesman Les Dorr. "We felt the process could be improved."

He said it "puts a system of checks and balances in place to ensure that the applicant is who they say they are and the paperwork they have is what they say it is."

The rule went into effect on Friday. It could take up to 60 days to complete the background and other checks done on the pilots.

Previously, non-U.S. pilots were issued a U.S. license to fly a private plane if they simply showed they had one from another country. It was part of a reciprocal arrangement with any of the 188 countries that are members of the International Civil Aviation Organization.