I've a lot of hours in aircraft that had a lot less range than 500 miles. Of course we could land anywhere we pleased. Sometimes we carried passengers too. Grumpy lot, always wanting to kill someone. Other stuff I flew could make 1,000 miles or better and was practical for passenger transport.
One of the flies in the ointment is IFR regulations....and holding patterns. Short range isn't a good selling point for private or corporate airmen.
