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BRAIN FITNESS FOR PILOTS – Peer Reviewed & Research Based!
COGNITIVE TRAINING EXPLAINED
SAMPLE EXERCISES
Here are just a few examples!
FAQ’s – Please Read!
This does not look anything like flying, how does it help me?
Answer: We regularly see athletes stretching or lifting weights to improve their game, which often looks nothing like swinging a golf club or shooting baskets. It’s the same for pilots – OA Training does not look like flying, but it helps with the most important muscles for flying aircraft safely – within your brain!
What are the exercises like?
See the video on Sample Exercises above. As an example, True North stretches Visual Orientation and Short-term Memory in even the most experienced pilots. Double Decision increases brain Processing Speeds like never before. And Target Tracker increases Visual Awareness Capacities in a way that can help you juggle all that is going on in and outside of the cockpit. Of course, these are just a few of the carefully selected exercises used by OA – others can increase Working Memory and even address Complex Auditory Processes involved in ATC communications!
And for those seeking Special Issuance, your exercise program is tailored specifically to your needs through the Fly Right or Forever Fly programs.
How much do I train?
5-days per week for 5-weeks at about 35 minutes per day is excellent. Those seeking Special Issuance or having to undergo neurocognitive testing: we strongly recommend 6-days per week for 6-weeks at about an hour per day (extended training is available at discounted rates if needed). Then, you’re likely good for years to come, especially if you complete our week-long Booster Session once per year.
ALSO, FOR THOSE SEEKING SPECIAL ISSUANCE: Due to the variability in challenges or conditions that may affect neurocognitive processing, the duration of your OA program may last longer than 6-weeks. We work with pilots on a case-by-case basis in this regard, but know that for some people gains may require more training time than others.
Also note, we cannot guarantee that any one pilot completing our program will reach FAA standards, though we certainly hope each and every one does.
Do I need to train at the same time every day, Can I take a day off or even a week off?
You do not need to train at the same time every day. It is often best not to train if you are overly fatigued or drained from your day, but the “just do it” attitude with the intention of getting better each time can go a long way. You will no doubt have some “off” days where you find you do not perform as well, which is normal – just like an athlete preparing for an event.
And yes, in our experience and research we recommend you take 1 to 2 days off from training per week (just 1 day off if you’re seeking Special Issuance, even if you’re super smart or good at what you do). Just like muscles in the body, this gives your brain time to rest and consolidate the neurological gains made during the week.
Please note, you may not see as strong of performance gains if you “double up” training on one day so that you do not have to train on others. Your OA Coach will let you know if gains appear less than optimal.
And yes, you may take up to 1 week off from our program once it is started. We ask you to alert us of this, however, as we will otherwise think you are slacking off in a big way!
IMPORTANT NOTICE: You should begin your program within 1 week of registering, unless you gain clearance to begin later from your OA Coach. Also, once you start a program you are on the clock with up to 6-weeks of consecutive training for the Core Programs (and in any case, the clock starts within 3 weeks of signing up for a program, even if you have not started). Due to the service nature of our program, under no circumstance is a refund available, even if you have not begun a program (we have put in a lot of work on our end prior to you starting your program). Finally, though our program is not inexpensive, our fees are already far lower than anything even remotely comparable, so discounts are not available.
what is adaptive training and why is it so important to my success?
Unlike “static” training in which you must start low and get through countless exercises before moving on to higher levels, “adaptive” training adjusts the difficulty level to slightly above where you are at (i.e., your current max) – with every click of the mouse!!
Literally, programs that require several months of training for 2 to 3 hours per day only require several weeks of training at about 1 hour per day when doing it the OA Way!! Best of all, multiple published research studies have demonstrated that this form of training is as good, if not better, than more static forms.
COMMON EXAMPLE: A pilot must undergo neurocognitive testing for FAA purposes. If she were to begin static training she would typically require 2 to 3 hours of training per day, 6 days per week, for 3 to 6 months, which equals about 200-400 hours of training. On the other hand, doing it the OA Way would typically require this same pilot to train approximately 35 to 50 hours to achieve similar, or perhaps better, results. Sometimes, technological advancements are just plane ‘ol good.
What other logistical information do i need to know?
After you sign up for a specific program, you will receive a Training Video and detailed information packet via your email on file. This will walk you through every step of the way, including how to take your OA Assess (Pre- and Post-Training Assessments for those in the Fly Right or Forever Fly programs), how to share any past neurocognitive data (optional), AND how to begin actual training. Once enough training data is generated you will then receive your first OA Training Update from your OA Coach!
Also, your OA Coach is responsible for many pilots and your program has been set up for You, with customized programming for those in the Fly Right or Forever Fly programs (if you choose to share neurocognitive data).
Please Note: While you will receive personalized training and coaching in neurocognitive strength training, we are not here to provide therapy or counseling, or to provide any deep insights into your brain’s processing, though you may experience that through our work together!
So, it is not typical that pilots need to contact our office or their OA Coach but if you have taken the time to read through all of your training materials and still need help feel free to use support@oapilots.com or call 800-240-7510.
How do I know if I’m improving my cognitive processing?
The sensors and algorithms used to determine your potential gains are highly developed. Your OA Coach will be analyzing these data regularly, and he or she will give you feedback every 7 to 10 days or so to help you stay on track and understand your performance gains. Bottom Line: You’ll know about your improvements with clarity, especially when comparing your exercise levels to other pilots. Those seeking Special Issuance and participating in the Fly Right or Forever Fly program get an even deeper analysis, which is critical for their purposes.
What if it doesn’t seem like I’m making gains?
This is certainly not a common complaint by pilots going through OA Training, in fact it is most often quite the opposite. However, for some a new exercise program may not seem beneficial, at least in the beginning. When done the OA Way, our exercises have been shown to enhance neurological functioning and make real-world impacts in people’s day-to-day performance, so hang in there as your brain is getting better with proper training!
For those seeking Special Issuance, things could “click” at any moment and your OA Coach will keep you abreast of both your strengths and weaknesses along the way.
Please Note: Some injuries or conditions might be found to not be fully amenable via brain training, which often can only be determined on a case-by-case basis after working out for at least 6-weeks. While plateaus are common, a significant break from training might be potentially needed, or training itself was only effective up to a certain point. Talk to your OA Coach if concerns arise, though know we will be monitoring your data and giving you feedback throughout your training program without you having to ask!
I’m seeking Special Issuance, how can this help?
OA Training helps to strengthen parts of the brain most important to flying. While many pilots are able to do day-to-day tasks with relative ease, head injuries, strokes, alcohol or substance abuse, or simply getting older takes its toll on the brain more than you may imagine and may impact your capacity to hold an airman medical certificate. OA was built on such circumstances and could help you reach your aviation goals.
Aspiring pilots, including those with a past diagnosis of ADD/ADHD, ASD, CP, or LD often greatly benefit from OA Training too – which could help with both flight training and general school demands alike!
I struggled with Cog Testing, can this help me?
Yes, many pilots who struggled in the same way have benefitted from OA Training. By far, it is the most researched program of its kind and we have seen many pilots reach their aviation goals following completion of our program, though as stated before we cannot guarantee the success of any one pilot. Overall, we simply know of no other program that has the potential of OA.
Pilots continue to say our program is like having a personal trainer or physical therapist (PT) as a guide to overcome a weakness, injury, or obstacle. In this way, we assign exercises that are customized for a particular pilot’s needs through our Fly Right or Forever Fly program, and we guide pilots during the training process to ensure optimal effects. The brain is quite complicated, so OA strives to take the guesswork out of training to assist pilots in making real performance gains. Simply put, we believe there is no better program available in any profession.
In addition to offering pilots a well-designed program, an unintended but fortunate outcome of our work has been that our analysis of your OA data can help determine when you might be ready to take or retake cog tests. This, as you can imagine, is a big deal. Basically, by the middle of your training program we start to compare your performance levels with other pilots who have been successful in reaching their aviation goals. Essentially, by the end of your 6-week core program we can answer the question: Are you training at the levels of other successful pilots or not? Similarly: Do you seem to have a fighting chance to perform well on cog tests at this point in time or not?
Our latest research and peer-reviewed publish research indicates that pilots who reach our target training levels have about a 9 out of 10 chance of reaching their aeromedical goals, while those that do not reach target training levels have about a 4 out of 10 chance. This is not to say that 90% of pilots who complete our program are successful in reaching their aeromedical goals, but it is to say that 85 to 90% of pilots who reach our target training levels are successful with future neurocognitive testing or re-testing! While we cannot perfectly predict future performance, we can help pilots gauge their chances of success in a rigorously tested, data driven way.
As you know, not everything we plan turns out as planned. If you find you are not reaching expected training levels by the end of the 6-week core program, you may decide to take a chance and simply take or retake cog tests, or you may decide to continue OA Training in 1- to 3-week blocks of time at greatly reduced fees (for a limited time following the end of your core 6-weeks). This can be done until you reach your training goals or OA’s target training levels, though we typically do not offer programs for more than 12-weeks total. OA is not the be-all and end-all of your decision to test or re-test, and we encourage you to consult with your Neuropsychologist, AME, or another aeromedical professional to determine your readiness. Of course, discussion with your OA Coach and/or John Milanovich PhD, founder and designer of OA, could be especially beneficial in determining your readiness. Please note consultation with John Milanovich PhD incurs additional fees unless you are part of the Forever Fly program (see Start Now page).
The Fine Print: Much like PT, you must understand brain training results vary due to individual differences, such as the nature and extent of a weakness, injury, or obstacle. Exercise effort levels are also an important factor, and it is possible that some challenges might not be overcome using OA Training alone or in conjunction with a medical intervention. Finally, it should be noted that, unlike PT, OA Training is not a medical intervention and it was designed for fitness and educational purposes only.
You should also note there are many other factors outside of brain training linked to your success with cog tests and aviation in general, ranging from your cognitive functioning to your emotional health (i.e., anxiety levels during tests) to how much water you drank or sleep you enjoyed. In addition, it is our understanding that evaluations for FAA purposes look beyond cognitive functioning to make their determinations, using multiple forms of required information.
In terms of your readiness to take or retake cog tests, it is critical to note that our work in this area has been presented at scientific conferences and is being written up for publication, but it is currently considered unpublished and, unlike the actual exercises we use, it has not gone through a rigorous, scientific, peer-reviewed process; sample sizes are fortunately quite large by this time and growing every week; overall, we are only able to offer you our training experiences and expertise based on a changing landscape of information and the many pilots we have worked with in the past and at present. Nonetheless, we enjoy working with professionals in the aeromedical field so that we all develop a greater understanding of this important area, which in the past most often had no basis for determining readiness other than pure guesswork!
Final Note: Just as our exercises do not look like flying, they also do not look like cog tests. Our exercises strive to assist you in strengthening the underlying brain processes most important to flight performance and safety, many of which are measured during cog testing and important in reaching a determination regarding the issuance of your airman medical certificate. While OA Exercises and Coaching could help you reach your aviation goals, we do not “coach” pilots on ways to “beat” their cog tests, and we strive to maintain the highest level of ethical standards in this regard.
What am I really paying for?
OA goes so far beyond playing with “brain games” on the internet, it’s difficult to express the massive difference in what you get. To be clear, however, you are not paying for the exercises themselves, of which there are hundreds of free ones online; rather, you are paying for our expertise, which has required more than two decades to develop, as well as the cutting edge and ongoing research that has pioneered the field of neurocognitive training in the aerospace environment.
Those seeking special issuance get much more. IN addition to all the specific items listed in the OA vs ALL (see above), we will compare your training data to the more than 500 pilots we have carefully observed over the past 8 years. We published 3 studies in 2024, two of which were associated with major university aviation programs (Kent State and Ohio State University), and as noted above, John Milanovich PhD was asked to write a book chapter on the utility of cognitive training in pilots, which is the first chapter of its kind. All of this helps us help you – the pilot!
Does more training lead to more gains?
Generally speaking, the answer is Yes. However, everyone needs to take a day off at least once per week to aid in neural consolidation!
FOR THOSE SEEKING SPECIAL ISSUANCE, it should be noted that you might reach a plateau in one or another cognitive domain during training. While our hope is that you “breakthrough” the plateau to jump up to our target training level(s), prolonged plateaus are possible. Overall, we tend to see diminishing returns after about 12-weeks of training, and while most pilots complete training in 6-weeks some require more. If you would like additional training, extensions are discounted at deeply reduced rates for a limited time after your core program. See also, “How often do I train?” in the FAQ section above.
Do I need to do this every year?
No. However, an annual week-long Booster Session really helps maintain your gains. In addition, we recommend completing a 5- to 6-week program every 3 to 5 years to maintain brain health and to potentially reduce some of the declines in processing speed and mental capacities that occur with normal aging. Ultimately, we hope OA Training assists pilots in extending their careers and day-to-day livelihoods well beyond expectations.
Do you offer refunds or guarantee results?
No, we do not. In terms of not providing any type of refund to our clients, it is important to understand that you are primarily purchasing our services, rather than a tangible product, and the exercises you access are only a very small portion of our operating expenses. The vast majority of the fees we charge are associated with the great deal of research and development that went into and continues to go into OA, the time required to set up a pilot’s program, the costs of providing certified and highly knowledgeable coaches that guide pilots using specialized skills while reviewing large amounts of training data generated by pilots each and every day, administration expenses, and the costs of ongoing research, including scientific meetings and presentations, the time to conduct original research studies for peer-review, and the time to assemble studies for publication. We want to offer pilots the most reliable, data-driven program possible, so that everyone involved can count on our work, which for obvious reasons is especially important in the aerospace environment!
So, once you have purchased a program AND we send you your initial email packet with training instructions and login information, absolutely no refunds are honored for any reason, even if you have not opened up the initial email packet.
If unexpected circumstances arise that may pose an obstacle to your training prior to or during actual training, we will work with you and said circumstances to the best of our ability.
We are so pleased that hundreds upon hundreds of pilots have benefitted from OA, and many Neuropsychologists and AME’s in our network across the nation trust our work. Still, it is not possible to guarantee results. It is important to note that different people have different brains, needs, and expectations, which does not allow us to guarantee training results.
It should be noted that in virtually all pilots training the OA Way leads to significant gains in one or more processing areas, which may or may not reach our target training levels or lead to desired results.
We do not waste a pilot’s time by using exercises that may not have the cognitive rigor or difficulty required in the aviation environment. Finally, we help you understand how ready you are for costly neuropsychological testing based on our carefully constructed research database and published research, all without in-person visits!
When it comes to our mission, the bottom line is we strive to assist pilots in reaching their aviation goals, and we believe the human pilot should never be considered “obsolete.” So, strengthening the Neurological Hardware of the Human Pilot is our number one endeavor and we believe there is no better and cost-effective pathway to this (especially for those seeking special issuance).
For more information on what sets OA apart from other approaches, see the OA vs ALL on this page or Start Now page to learn more about the OA Difference!
TESTIMONIALS
