But this event will be an open day with a difference, as the RFDS South Eastern Section (RFDS SE) celebrates its 80^th birthday.

To mark the occasion, members of the public and supporters will be invited to tour the education centre and meet RFDS pilots, flight nurses, dentists and other staff.

On show will be one of the new patient transport road vehicles, which directly connects patients from the Central West with RFDS flights to and from Sydney.

There will also be a unique opportunity to get on board both a current RFDS SE Kingair aircraft with full medical fit-out, and the mobile education unit, a life-sized replica of one of the aircraft.

The Women in Aviation organisation, which encourages women to follow their aviation dreams by providing networking, education and scholarship opportunities, will be joining in the day.

Lisa Roper-Campbell, an RFDS SE pilot based at Mascot in Sydney, will be on hand to answer questions about life in the aviation world.

“While we are keen to recognise this anniversary, the emphasis of the Open Day is both a celebration of our history and the future of the service,” RFDS SE chief executive officer Greg Sam said.

“It’s been an exciting past twelve months in Dubbo. New services and facilities have come on-line as part of our strategy to reduce the well-documented gap in health and wellness between those living in remote, rural and regional areas and those in cities.

“These and the other exciting developments we have in the pipeline would not have been possible without the Dubbo Support Group and the people of the Central West, who have supported us since we opened the Base in 1999.”

Official limited edition 80th anniversary merchandise will also be available with a special 20 per cent storewide discount on all merchandise.

The open day runs between 10am and 2pm on Saturday at the RFDS base on the Coreena Road.