“I’m sorry to tell you this, but it’s all downhill from here. You’ll never fly in an airplane like this again.” Central Business Jets’s Jay Duckson was straight with me when I had the opportunity to fly in the unique and rare Howard 500 at this year's NBAA convention. Designed in the 1950s and ’60s, the aircraft is similar to the military surplus Lockheed Lodestars and Venturas that were readily available after World War II. Approximately 22 models were manufactured, but only two remain today. Both are owned by Tony Phillippi, founder and owner of Phillippi Equipment, and are based in Minneapolis. Phillippi is currently leasing block hours for the Howard 500 at the minimum amount of 100 flight hours.
Restoration of the Howard 500 I flew aboard took 100,000 labor hours to complete back in 2015. However, the aircraft still has all of the personal touches from its inception. Unlike most commercial jets, the Howard 500 features strategically spaced windows for optimal viewing; there’s even a window in the lavatory. With room for 12 passengers, the Howard features camel leather seats with pull-out tables and a royal blue divan on either side of the aisle. The combination of the royal blue curtains and matching carpet with the spacious windows and bright lighting gave the cabin a retro yet warm and welcoming feeling.
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