Certain pilots who have flown within the past six months and hold a valid FAA medical certificate, but not BasicMed, and are attending the 2024 Sun ’n Fun Aerospace Expo this week could earn up to $500 for participating in an FAA research study. The agency is still recruiting pilots aged 60 or older with a valid Class 1 or 2 aeromedical, as well as pilots aged 25 or older with a valid Class 3 medical.
According to the FAA, the cognitive study session will take four hours and pays $300, $400, or $500, depending on medical certification class. Payment is dispersed immediately following completion of the session.
Participation involves completing two computerized cognitive tests related to tasks such as working memory, attention, mental rotation, and multitasking performance. The purpose of this study is to obtain pilot normative data for these computerized tests.
According to the FAA, it uses these tests to help recertify pilots for flying following a medical event such as a stroke, head injury, or when taking a certain medication. The results of this study will help ensure that aeromedical decision-making is based on the most current scientific data, and will contribute to the safety of the national airspace system, the agency said.