Pilots in other countries must realise that the USA has a very large and active general aviation scene (many times larger than most other countries, combined) and so can restrict whom they like, for any reason whatsoever. Europeans especially (UK in particular) have thrown darts at the FAA license for many years, believing that it is not nearly as "scholastic" as those in Europe. Yet they now cry crocodile tears because they must now take a practical flight test for the FAA certificate.
For these folks, I can only say that the USA has led the world in things aeronautical for many years, and this is not like to change anytime soon...so get used to it.
OTOH, once you have that FAA license, you can fly where you like (except few restricted areas), when you like, at a price that others from afar can only dream about.
So, come and enjoy, and the weather out Arizona way has 330 days of sunshine each and every year.
