The Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) pilot Craig Nethery spoke to the big crowd at the annual South East Section Dubbo base open day on his work.

"I travelled across Australia as an electrician but it wasn't until I was a pilot that I realised how big the country was," he said.

"It was then that I realised the essential medical services were not reaching those who were in the outback."

Mr Nethery told the audience the RFDS played an important role across the nation.

President of the RFDS Dubbo Support Group Terry Clark said he was pleased with the "good crowd" of about 500 people flowing through the Dubbo base yesterday.

"Today is a thank you day from the community to those who work," he said.

"A time to come and meet us and be involved."

Mr Clark said there were several people who came to support the RFDS as they had been personally touched by the service.

"A lot of people think we're just for the outback and remote areas but we are for everyone," he said.

He pleaded with Dubbo residents to continue to help the RFDS to serve those who were in need.

All the equipment in the base was due to the work of the community and generous donors.

Throughout the day, parents and children alike waited in a long queue to explore the state-of-the-art RFDS King Air aircraft.

The Taronga Western Plains Zoo had snakes and lizards to entertain visitors of all ages as tea and coffee were served with the cutting of a cake to mark the 85th birthday of the service.

RFDS doctors, flight nurses, dentists and pilots spoke of their work as well as performing health and emergency demonstrations during the open day.

Visitors crowded the Dubbo RFDS Education Centre, recently ranked as the number one attraction at Dubbo on leading travel website Trip Advisor.

The Rotary Club of South Dubbo ensured the crowds were well fed with barbecues.