Jindabyne Aero Club shared the air strip with eight helicopters and more than 20 pilots as they carried out the mountain flying exercises in the area.

Being in the area provides the pilots with the opportunity to experience the difference in helicopter handling in high altitude and the Navy is trying to reestablish a search and rescue exercise in conjunction with civil services.

Navy pilots have been visiting Jindabyne for a number of years and Lieutenant Commander Terry Garside said they always enjoy themselves.

"We've seen the area grow significantly but other than that nothing has changed, people are always accommodating," he said.

"It's always a pleasure, everyone looks forward to the time at Jindabyne."

And it's not all business for the pilots.

"We always try to get them up the mountains to get some skiing in, some pilots come down early or stay at the weekend to fit it in."

The pilots enjoyed local hospitality while they were in Jindabyne, staying at the Sport and Recreation Centre and The Station Resort.

According to Lt Garside the pilots are well looked after when they visit and it's not only the high altitude that keeps them coming back.

"People are really accommodating and we get looked after."

Jindabyne Aero Club's Mondo Davies said the pilots return the favour.

"They really look after the locals and we look after them," he said.

"It's a great thing for Jindabyne and it's really good to be using the local airstrip."

Lt Garside said there's more to the association with Jindabyne than just the mountain training.

"We have quite a close affiliation with Jindabyne and try to get involved in Anzac Day when we can, we take a dozen or so people and aircraft and try to do a fly by," he said.

"We've had close ties with the community for about 10 years."

Expect to see Navy choppers and pilots next year, as they don't plan on moving their mountain training exercises anywhere else.