It flies Whanganui skies day after day but yesterday people had the chance to get a close-up look at the rescue chopper.
It was the first open day for the Philips Search and Rescue Trust Palmerston North Rescue Helicopter in five years. It will now be an annual event alternating between Whanganui and Palmerston North.
Other emergency services including police, the Coastguard and the fire service were also on deck at the open day. People were allowed a look inside the rescue helicopter with staff on hand to answer questions about the operation.
"All of these rescue services that are here today are connected, and we all do effectively the same job, just different aspects," pilot Chris Moody said.
While the rescue helicopter was based in Palmerston North, Mr Moody said Whanganui was a big part of the area it covered. About 30 per cent of its rescue jobs come to Whanganui Hospital and its patch included Whanganui and Rangitikei up to National Park.