Mr Moody said the open day was about allowing the community to learn how the helicopter and the organisation worked.
"The people here own this helicopter."
Philips Search and Rescue Trust communications manager Vanessa Richmond said the day was about meeting the community they serve.
"Even though this helicopter is based at Palmerston North Hospital, it actually services the wider Manawatu-Whanganui region," she said.
The rescue helicopter relied on donations for more than 50 per cent of the operating costs, needing to raise $1.7 million each year. "That's just to keep the helicopter 24/7, 365 days rescue-ready," Ms Richmond said.
Money came from sponsorship by local businesses, the Friends of the Rescue Helicopter programme and events such as the open day. "Every dollar counts," she added.
"We operate on a no-fault basis. We certainly always go if we are called, the whole 'who pays for it' comes later."
The Palmerston North rescue helicopter attended 270 callouts last year.