Originally Posted by
Global_Hi_Flyer
For GA airports outside the flight-restricted-zone, there is no requirement (although Congress has now dictated that the FAA start issuing licenses with photos on them). There's also a watch-list check done when pilots get their licenses.
This is true, but only for now. The TSA is trying its hardest to get a foot in the door on private aviation. The now-mostly-defeated was going to require TSA-like security screenings on all aircraft with a MTOW above 12,500 lbs. They're proposing a neutered version of that rule soon, and I am sure we will see more of the same over time.