[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 217 (Monday, November 13, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 77656-77657]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-24938]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

[Docket No. FAA-2021-1138]


Agency Information Collection Activities: Requests for Comments; 
Clearance of a New Approval of Information Collection: Computerized 
Neurocognitive Tests for Aeromedical Safety

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, FAA 
invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) approval for a new information collection. 
The Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting 
comments on the following collection of information was published on 
December 16, 2021. The collection involves in-person sessions between 
researchers and certified pilots. Computerized neurocognitive tests are 
a non-invasive way to measure cognitive function (e.g., attention, 
working memory, information processing speed, reaction time) and are 
used as part of the FAA's overall aeromedical physical exam process to 
determine if a pilot is safe to operate an aircraft within the National 
Airspace System (NAS). Neurocognitive tests are required only for 
pilots with certain medical conditions associated with aeromedically 
significant cognitive impairments (i.e., not all pilots are tested). 
The FAA needs to ensure that the tests and data used to maintain the 
safety of the NAS are based on the most current scientific knowledge. 
The purpose of this IC effort is to obtain updated pilot normative data 
for the neurocognitive tests under consideration. The information 
collection (IC) effort will be used to potentially revise the FAA's 
Aviation Medical Examiners (AME) Guide, update clinical practices, and 
assure aeromedical safety. Information will be collected from 
representative pilots across the United States, who will complete two 
different 1-hour neurocognitive tests. Total IC effort/time per person 
will be approximately four hours (i.e., to include check-in processing, 
informed consent, neurocognitive test-taking, rest breaks, and 
participant debrief).

DATES: Written comments should be submitted by December 13, 2023.

ADDRESSES: Written comments and recommendations for the proposed

[[Page 77657]]

information collection should be sent within 30 days of publication of 
this notice to www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain. Find this particular 
information collection by selecting ``Currently under 30-day Review--
Open for Public Comments'' or by using the search function.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Susan M. Jay, Ph.D. by email at: 
[email protected]; phone: (405) 954-5500.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Public Comments Invited: You are asked to comment on any aspect of 
this information collection, including (a) Whether the proposed 
collection of information is necessary for FAA's performance; (b) the 
accuracy of the estimated burden; (c) ways for FAA to enhance the 
quality, utility and clarity of the information collection; and (d) 
ways that the burden could be minimized without reducing the quality of 
the collected information.
    OMB Control Number: 2120-XXXX.
    Title: Computerized Neurocognitive Tests for Aeromedical Safety.
    Form Numbers: n/a.
    Type of Review: New information collection.
    Background: The Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment 
period soliciting comments on the following collection of information 
was published on December 16, 2021 (86 FR 239). The FAA received no 
comments. The FAA's mission and vision is to provide the safest, most 
efficient aerospace system in the world as new users and technologies 
integrate into the system. Computerized neurocognitive tests are a non-
invasive way to measure cognitive function (e.g., attention, working 
memory, information processing speed, reaction time). Neurocognitive 
tests are used as part of the FAA's overall aeromedical physical exam 
process to determine if a pilot is safe to operate an aircraft within 
the NAS. Neurocognitive tests are required only for pilots and with 
certain medical conditions associated with aeromedically significant 
cognitive impairments (i.e., not all pilots). The FAA needs to ensure 
that the tests and data used to maintain the safety of the NAS based on 
the most current scientific knowledge. The purpose of this IC effort is 
to obtain updated pilot normative data for the current test and 
alternative neurocognitive tests under consideration. The IC effort 
will be used to potentially revise the FAA's AME Guide, update clinical 
practices, and assure aeromedical safety.
    Respondents: 1,000 respondents.
    Frequency: One-time collection.
    Estimated Average Burden per Response: 4 hours burden per 
respondent-response.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden: 4,000 hours total burden.

    Issued in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, on November 7, 2023.
Susan M. Jay,
Research Physiologist, Aviation Safety, Civil Aerospace Medical 
Institute (CAMI), Federal Aviation Administration.
[FR Doc. 2023-24938 Filed 11-9-23; 8:45 am]
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