I was out in the states in January flying and had no probs. Just read below and what I did was fax all the details to FAA and CAA. I had the paperwork back by email within a week.
Its weird coz the FAA do it all for free and the CAA charge you £15 just to say you have a licence.
On 23 July 2002 the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) in the USA, were directed to cease the issuance of the FAA Pilot Certificate to foreign pilots until a criteria for security checks could be put in place. During this period existing non-USA pilots, not already holding the FAA Pilot Certificate, were banned form flying in the USA. This policy was introduced in the light of September 11 with no prior notice. We have now just received the new security regulations for issuance of the FAA Pilot Certificate. Any non-FAA pilot wishing to fly in the USA will now have to submit the enclosed form AFS-760 (Please click the link below and print the form off)
http://registry.faa.gov/docs/verify61-75.pdf
and submit it by mail or fax to:
AFS-760
PO Box 25082
Oklahoma City OK73125
USA
Fax: 001-405-954-4105
This form should be completed in legible black ink and submitted to the above address together with the relevant documents. You should try to apply for your FAA Pilot Certificate at least 60 days before your arrival in the USA. On successful authentication you will be issued with the FAA Pilot Certificate from the local FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) after your arrival.
A copy of the following documentation will be required to be submitted with the enclosed form AFS-760:
A legible copy of all pages of your pilots licence.
A legible English transcription of a foreign licence, if the licence is not in English.
A legible copy of your medial certificate.
A legible photocopy of your drivers licence or passport or other picture identification.
Please ensure that you read the “Instructions for completing the form” very carefully as an incorrectly filled in form AFS-760 will cause delay in the authentication of your pilots’ license by the FAA.
Additional Requirements for United Kingdom Applicants:
In addition to the above procedure the UK CAA require you complete form SRG\1160 (Please click the link below and print the form off)
http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/33/FORSRG1160.pdf
and forward it directly to the UK CAA at:
Civil Aviation Authority
Personal Licensing Department
Aviation House
Gatwick Airport South
West Sussex
RH6 0YR
Please ensure that you complete the Form SRG\1160 very carefully as an incorrectly filled in form will cause delay in the authentication of your pilots’ license by the FAA.
We apologise for this inconvenience, which is beyond our control. Once you have been issued with the FAA Pilot Certificate it will remain current as long as your national license is current.