PilotPrep Is Now on the App Store: Practice CogScreen-AE on iOS

We're thrilled to announce: PilotPrep is now on the App Store.

For pilots and aspiring pilots navigating the HIMS evaluation process, this marks a significant enhancement in accessibility and flexibility. You can now practice all 13 FAA CogScreen-AE subtests anywhere your demanding schedule takes you: on your iPhone during a layover, on your iPad between flights, or even offline on a plane, without needing to be tethered to a desk.

The iOS app is listed in the App Store as CogPilot (our mobile app name). Below, we'll detail what's included, how to get started, and what you should know if you're preparing for a HIMS neuropsychological evaluation.

PilotPrep on iOS

The iOS app, branded in the App Store as CogPilot, is the official mobile companion to PilotPrep. It delivers the complete PilotPrep cognitive training experience directly to your iPhone and iPad, featuring all 13 subtests, clinical-grade scoring, AI coaching, and your full practice history, all within a native app optimized for touch interaction.

Crucially, the CogPilot app is not a simplified version of our web platform. It leverages the identical procedurally generated question banks, applies the same rigorous T-score and CPI calculations, and draws from the exact normative dataset of 10,314 subjects from the Armed Forces Research Laboratory. If you're an existing PilotPrep web user, you will find the experience seamlessly familiar.

Why This Matters for HIMS Pilots

Pilots requiring Special Issuance medical certification following certain neurological diagnoses (including stroke, TBI, seizure disorders, or other conditions reviewed under HIMS protocols) are typically mandated to complete the FAA CogScreen-AE battery as a component of their comprehensive evaluation.

What's Included in the App

The CogScreen-AE is a timed, computerized neurocognitive assessment. While it's not a test one can 'study for' in the conventional academic sense, familiarity with its format, task types, and pacing can significantly impact performance. Pilots who have practiced the battery understand timing expectations, recognize the trade-offs between speed and accuracy in subtests like Pathfinder and SDC, and can approach the actual evaluation without the added cognitive load of encountering an unfamiliar interface for the first time.

This is precisely the challenge PilotPrep, and now the iOS app, is designed to address.

The advent of a mobile application fundamentally transforms accessibility. Most pilots spend considerable time in terminals, hotel rooms, or other transient locations where a laptop might be inconvenient, but a phone or tablet is always at hand. CogPilot thus makes consistent, high-quality cognitive practice substantially easier to maintain.

All 13 CogScreen-AE Subtests

CogPilot encompasses every subtest featured in the FAA CogScreen-AE battery:

Backward Digit Span (BDS): Assessing working memory under increasing load.
Math (MATH): Evaluating arithmetic accuracy and speed.
Visual Sequence Comparison (VSC): Focusing on rapid visual pattern matching.
Symbol Digit Coding (SDC): Measuring symbol-to-digit substitution speed.
Matching to Sample (MTS): Testing visual working memory and comparison skills.
Manikin (MAN): Gauging spatial orientation and mental rotation abilities.
Pathfinder (PF): Similar to Trail Making, assessing sequencing and set-shifting.
Shifting Attention Test (SAT): Examining rule-switching and cognitive flexibility.
Divided Attention Test (DAT): Combining auditory tracking with a visual task.
Auditory Sequence Comparison (ASC): Focusing on tonal pattern discrimination.
Divided Task Test (DTT): Measuring dual-task coordination under time pressure.
Figure Analysis (FA): Assessing spatial folding and pattern recognition.
Paper Folding (FOLD): Evaluating three-dimensional spatial reasoning.

Each subtest within CogPilot is procedurally generated. This ensures that every practice session produces a unique sequence of questions, fostering genuine cognitive engagement rather than rote memorization through repetition.

Clinical-Grade Scoring

After each practice session, CogPilot meticulously calculates T-scores and Cumulative Performance Indices (CPIs) using the same normative reference data applied in actual clinical HIMS evaluations. This empowers you to not only see your raw performance but also understand how it compares to the reference pilot population.

The intuitive radar chart dashboard provides a visual profile across all 13 cognitive domains, invaluable for identifying areas of strength and those that may benefit from more focused practice.

AI Coach's Corner

Upon completing a session, the AI coach analyzes your performance patterns and delivers specific, actionable feedback. This goes beyond generic encouragement, pinpointing areas where response times may be slow, accuracy is inconsistent, and which subtests are most likely to influence your overall CPI.

Powered by Gemini 2.5 Flash, the coach leverages your full practice history to personalize its analysis and recommendations over time.

Offline-Capable

All subtests are designed to run directly from your local device, meaning no internet connection is required during a practice session. Your results will seamlessly sync back to your account the next time you connect to the internet.

This offline capability is intentional, ensuring uninterrupted practice on a plane, in a hotel with unreliable Wi-Fi, or any location with limited connectivity.

Touch-Optimized Interface

We have meticulously redesigned the controls for every subtest with touch interaction as the primary focus. Elements like the Divided Task Test cursor zone, Divided Attention audio buttons, and timed inputs in Pathfinder have been rebuilt specifically for finger interaction, not merely scaled down from a desktop layout. Haptic feedback is also integrated for answer selection and key test events, enhancing the user experience.

How to Get Started

If you have an active PilotPrep subscription:

Download CogPilot from the App Store: Download CogPilot
Sign in with the same Google or Apple account you use on faacogscreen.com.
All 13 subtests will unlock immediately. No additional purchase is required.

Your practice history and session data are seamlessly integrated into your account and will carry over between platforms.

If you don't have a subscription yet:

Start by visiting faacogscreen.com/pricing. Full iOS access is included in all subscription tiers; there is no separate mobile-specific plan. Subscriptions are purchased and managed on the web platform, while the iOS app itself is free to download.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is CogPilot affiliated with the FAA or the publishers of CogScreen-AE?

No. CogPilot is an independent practice tool developed by PilotPrep. It is not affiliated with the Federal Aviation Administration, the Civil Aeromedical Institute, or the creators of CogScreen-AE, and it does not guarantee any specific outcome in a clinical evaluation.

Does using CogPilot guarantee I'll pass my HIMS evaluation?

No. CogPilot is designed as a familiarization and practice tool. Clinical evaluations are complex and depend on your underlying neurocognitive status, the specific requirements of your HIMS case, and the professional judgment of your aviation medical examiner. While practice helps with familiarity and consistency, it does not replace or supersede clinical assessment.

Is this the same content as the web platform?

Yes. The same question banks, scoring algorithms, and normative data are utilized across both the web and iOS platforms. Your practice history is fully shared and synchronized between your web and mobile accounts.

What iOS version do I need?

iOS 16 or later is required. CogPilot fully supports both iPhone and iPad devices.

Can I use CogPilot on Android?

Not yet. Android support is currently on our roadmap for a future release.

A Note on What "Preparation" Means

We want to be direct and transparent: CogPilot is a practice tool for familiarization, not a medical intervention or a diagnostic instrument.

If you are preparing for a HIMS evaluation, the most crucial steps you can take involve working closely with a HIMS Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) and, when appropriate, a neuropsychologist who possesses a deep understanding of FAA certification requirements. The testing environment, the examiner's calibration, and how your results are interpreted within the context of your complete medical history all play significant roles that no app can replicate.

What CogPilot can achieve is to significantly reduce the novelty factor of the CogScreen-AE. Pilots who have consistently practiced the subtest formats, internalized the timing expectations, and reviewed their own performance data are typically better prepared to perform consistently under evaluation conditions. In timed cognitive assessments, consistency is a meaningful indicator.

This is the honest rationale behind building CogPilot. We believe it is a valuable and responsibly developed tool for pilots navigating a stressful and critical process.

Download CogPilot

CogPilot is available now on the App Store.

Download on the App Store

Existing PilotPrep subscribers: simply sign in, and your full access is already integrated.

Questions? Reach us at [email protected] or visit faacogscreen.com/faq.

PilotPrep is an independent educational platform. It is not affiliated with the Federal Aviation Administration or the publishers of CogScreen-AE. This post does not constitute medical or legal advice. Pilots with HIMS cases should work directly with a HIMS Aviation Medical Examiner.