A series of recent fatal medical helicopter crashes around the nation has led to an emphasis from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) on the need for more pilot training.
Last week, KVUE was the only station in Texas invited to go along for the ride as all nine of Travis County's STAR Flight Helicopter pilots went through a week of unique training in Grand Prairie, Texas.
American Eurocopter in Grand Prairie is the site of a $6 million one of a kind simulator which looks, feels and sounds like a real medical helicopter.
The giant metal box sits on dozens of high-tech hydraulics which mimic the real movement of a helicopter in every situation imaginable.
Travis County spent $20,000 for all nine helicopter pilots to spend a week training in the simulator.
Pilots were not informed ahead of time on what sort of bad weather or other unpredictable conditions instructors would throw at them during flight training. That means pilots were forced to use the chopper's instruments to fly safely instead of relying on visuals.
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