Optimal Aviation - Cogscreen Training designed for Special Issuance - $500

[Drumstick]

Does anyone have any experience with Optimal Aviation?

They advertise a sort of training program to help aspiring pilots get past the Cogscreen-AE. It's a 5-6 week program for $500. Their FAQ said someone taking the Cogscreen-AE with their training has an 8/10 chance of passing and 4/10 without.

I have my appointment scheduled for an ADHD special issuance in about 2 weeks but can push it back if this is something that will help.

 

[skywalker09]

Luminosity is a much cheaper fun and effective tool to increase performance on the Cogscreen-AE.

 

[schmookeeg]

If cogscreen can be gamed, what diagnostic value does it have?

 

[Cloudhound]

If cogscreen can be gamed, what diagnostic value does it have?

By "gamed", do you mean like studying and preparing, like you would do for a written?

 

[schmookeeg]

By "gamed", do you mean like studying and preparing, like you would do for a written?

A written that tests my ability to recall knowledge, yes.

As opposed to a medical test trying to determine my level of cognitive function?

 

[Tools]

The cog screen is a ADMINISTRATIVE requirement...

Odds of passing WITHOUT practicing is probably 90 percent across the board.

Delta airlines administers it as part of their interview, being viewed as more important than doing a simulator.... quite telling.

 

[Stevea621j]

A written that tests my ability to recall knowledge, yes.

As opposed to a medical test trying to determine my level of cognitive function?

Cognitive function is not static. There is a lot of literature showing that cognitive function can be increased. Is doing exercises to increase your cognitive function any different than eating right exercising, and losing weight to improve your blood pressure or keep from developing diabetes?

 

[MalibuJim]

Cognitive function is not static. There is a lot of literature showing that cognitive function can be increased. Is doing exercises to increase your cognitive function any different than eating right exercising, and losing weight to improve your blood pressure or keep from developing diabetes?

Here you go, this is a list of each test given, you can review and research them. I was given the list by the FAA as tests that "may be used". For me, it was more about what the test looked like and what the goals of the test were. So, when I finally took the test, it wasn't the first time I have seen this kind of test. It provided some familiarity. For instance, you can't fake the pegboard test, but watching someone else do it first, made it easy to understand what is being asked of me.

 

[MalibuJim]

I used Luminocity too, it made it somewhat fun too. Passed first try, with flying colors too.

 

[KeepWatch]

Odds of passing WITHOUT practicing is probably 90 percent across the board.

This. That line about 4 out of 10 not passing is bullcrap. I never trust anyone who creates stats in their favor to make sales and refuses to properly reduce fractions.

 

[MyDimeIsUp]

This. That line about 4 out of 10 not passing is bullcrap. I never trust anyone who creates stats in their favor to make sales and refuses to properly reduce fractions.

I had my CogScreen-AE administered by the guy who made it, Dr. Gary Kay. Very nice guy and nothing bad I can say about him. Honestly it wasn't that bad, even while practicing the tests I had no problems. I could've walked in without "practicing" and been fine.

That's quite the allegation you're making about Dr. Kay, that he's some self-centered money-maniac. He may have a lot of money but I HIGHLY doubt he skews his tests in any way. I'm no doctor and I'm guessing you aren't either so lets not talk about what we don't know.