On Oct 15, 1:57 pm, "Montblack" Y4_NOT!...
wrote:
("Ricky" wrote)

My oldest brother had recently gotten his private cert. in the 70s and, in
my dad's absense, convinced my mom that "dad said I could take my
girlfriend on a plane ride." My dad was on a day-long trip training a
pilot in the Howard 500.

http://maxair2air.com/06AIR/Howard500/O01.html
There are a couple of Howard 500's at our airport - GREAT looking plane.

http://maxair2air.com/AIR/MaxAirArchive.html
Interesting photo site - much of it local to the Twin Cities area

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/m.zoeller/HowardPix.htm
Some more Howards

Montblack

That yellow & green one is the only one left flying right now.
I'm aquainted with the pilot/mechanic, who has been flying &
maintaining this 500 for several different owners (insurance &
experience benifits).
The Howard is an incredibly expensive & complex bird to keep flying &
maintaining.
My dad was involved with the R&D in making the Howard 250 & 500 an all
new aircraft (not just old WWII stock) and a leader in the executive
transport arena. Unfortunately, Dee Howard & my dad were several years
too late as the Lear had already gained a significant foothold by the
time the Howard was ready for the market.
My dad was Dee Howard's chief pilot, test pilot, and instructor in all
the Howard line of aircraft.
The Howard is a big, beautiful twin taildragger with lots of power,
speed & sex appeal.

Ricky

Ricky