AOPA Turbine Pilot Magazine - November 2023 - 110

TIPS FROM PIC
Neurocognitive
testing changes
BY CADE HALLE
A CONTROV ER S I A L T ES T I NG procedure
may soon be changing in the FAA
medical branch. For years the FAA has
utilized the CogScreen-AE computerbased
test to evaluate cognitive function
in pilots with potential risk factors, such
as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder,
cerebrovascular accident, substance
abuse, antidepressant usage, or any suspicions
of cognitive impairment.
Despite its utilization for almost
30 years, the CogScreen is not without
criticism. The FAA announced last year
that it would be put together a research
study to evaluate potential replacements.
The study consists of multiple
proposed replacement tests, all similar
in nature to the CogScreen format,
which will either be replacements or
supplemental tests in addition to the
current format.
If you attended EAA AirVenture
this year you likely saw informational
flyers asking for pilots to participate
in a four-hour trial of the proposed
replacement evaluations. After consulting
with colleagues about the
prospect of willingly allowing the
FAA to test my cognitive functions, I
decided to participate. The proposed
replacement tests utilize an intuitive
computer-based interface to evaluate
several cognitive domains, including
memory recall, visuospatial skills,
reaction time, and language interpretation.
By the end of the four-hour study,
I was mentally taxed. I'm excited by
the prospect of change with evaluating
neurocognitive abilities among pilots,
and confident the FAA is taking a step
in the right direction. If you would like
to participate in a future study, contact
9AMCCogStudy@FAA.gov.
Contact AOPA's Pilot Information
Center at 800-USA-AOPA (872-2672),
pilotassist@aopa.org, or pic.aopa.org for
more information. Cade Halle is an
aviation technical specialist in the AOPA
Pilot Information Center.
110
AOPA PILOT / November 2023
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AOPA Turbine Pilot Magazine - November 2023

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