Volunteer Pilot Gives Pup Second Chance.

Neither wildfire nor cruel fate would prevent a pup from getting a second chance.

Pilots N Paws.

When FAA Examiner Peyton Enloe presented me my pilot’s license on a sunny July 4^th day many years ago, he gave me more than a license to fly. He gave me a unique opportunity to make a difference. One of my bucket list items had always been to fly for a nonprofit organization. It was at AOPA’s Camarillo fly-in that my wife and I learned about Pilots N Paws, a wonderful non-profit organization that engages in the valuable service of rescuing, transporting and adopting animals in need.

Last December, I saw the following cry for help: “Small Terrier Pup Needs Ride from Shelter to Rescue ASAP!” Heidi and I were available, and our Cessna Cardinal was eager for a cause greater than a $100 hamburger. So we committed to saving this little eight-pound pup named Carson. The logistics began—coordinating the pickup of Carson, the drop off of Carson, and the route through Los Angeles’ bustling airspace, and ensuring the Cardinal was fueled and operational. Southern California was experiencing raging fires, and temporary flight restrictions were popping up, complicating our rescue effort.

We met Carol and her daughter Aolani at our hangar. This lovely mother and daughter team spent family time volunteering at the animal rescue to help “fur babies.” They entrusted the care of little Carson to Heidi and me. We read his paperwork and learned his story. This was his last chance at a home. He could’ve had a chip on his shoulder, but he was sweet and friendly. He had never flown in an airplane before, and he was scared. But our chocolate Labrador, Piper, jumped in the airplane and showed him that it was going to be a fun adventure.

Once we settled into the airplane, I tried to start the engine, but the prop lazily turned only a few times. With the wildfire smoke, the temporary flight restrictions and now this, I started doubting our prospects for success. I exited the plane and manually rotated the prop a few times before climbing back in our Cardinal. Three times was a charm! The Cardinal woke up and started charging the battery. We departed the Palm Springs area and flew west through the mountain pass. ATC no longer called us Cardinal 753. That day we were on a special mission. They called us Compassion 753. Heidi helped with pet care, and she input radio frequencies and squawk codes while I navigated and talked to ATC. Piper helped by being a good canine ambassador.

Carson was in great spirits when we landed in Van Nuys. He was wagging his tail as I transferred him to Tim, the husband of another animal shelter volunteer. Tim said the little guy was going to a home up north, and this leg of the trip was an important piece in getting Carson to his furever home. We said goodbye to Carson, and then Heidi and I took a break outside the FBO. We tossed the ball with Piper and thought of how much joy our dog had brought to our lives. Carson had been rescued, and he would have that same opportunity to bring joy to another family.

A Pilots N Paws Freedom Flight might seem like a simple trip from point A to point B, but I was reminded how many links in the chain make such missions successful. From the Cessna engineers who designed my Cardinal, to my flight instructors who taught me, to the volunteers who rescue and adopt animals, to the air traffic controllers, the FBO staff and the taxpayers who fund public airports. I’m proud to be a pilot, and I’d like to think that at least on this day, I was the person my dog thinks I am.

Tucker’s first novel, “The Reawakening of Mage Axum,” follows two journalists whose aviation adventures, politics, and love span two continents and half a century of America’s defining moments. For more flying stories, please visit www.tuckeraxum.com.

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Aston Martin Rapide.

The Aston Martin Rapide isn’t the most technologically advanced car that you can buy. Nor is it the most environment-friendly. But it is hard to argue that this could be one of the most beautiful vehicles you will ever see in your life.

AM RAPIDE.

This four-door, hT. It first burst into the public consciousness in the mid-2000s as a concept car during the North American International Auto Show. The production version was showcased during the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show.

Aston Martin Rapide (2010-2013).

The original Rapide was powered by a 5.9-liter V-12 engine. It is coupled to a carbon fiber driveshaft and a six-speed automatic transmission.

White Rapide.

When it was released in 2010, it commanded a base price of around $210,000.

The price may be a bit high for a four-door sedan, but you can’t blame Aston Martin for pricing it that way.

It is, after all, a big car with a length of more than 5 meters and width of more than 2 meters. It’s not lightweight by any definition as it weighs nearly 2000 kilograms.

4-Door Rapide.

Aside from its powerful engine, the Rapide offered decent space inside. It can comfortably sit four adults, with very good legroom at the back. Even 6-footers can easily enter and sit inside this sedan.

Unlike its other competitors, the Aston Rapide can provide long-haul riding. It’s far from the super saloons where the back seats are really limited to kids.

It has a full-length center console that offers cooling vents and HVAC controls. Let’s just say that your passengers will be comfortable for hours when inside the Aston Rapide.

As far as handling goes, driving the Aston Rapide is an experience you’d like to get a taste of. It feels so nimble for a sedan. It won’t have any problems handling twisting roads.

Aston Martin Rapide S (2014- Present).

The Aston Rapide S has 80 more horsepower and 14 more torques than the original Rapide.

2015 Aston Martin Rapide.

Aside from the improved power train, the Rapide S also featured a look different than its predecessor. It has a grille that looks more dominant and fierce. It doesn’t a bumper that slices the grille into two, which was a look unique to the old Rapide.

There’s a reason why Aston Martin redesigned the grille of the Rapide S—for safety reasons. In Europe, there’s a law that demands that cars are designed in such a way that they can provide the softest landing possible to humans in case of a collision. With the redesigned grilled, the Rapide S is pushed backward so that it can absorb impact at just 40 miles an hour.

Simply put, the redesigned grille will save lives in the event of a collision.

Aside from the redesigned grille, the Rapide has a more pronounced rear deck lid spoiler. It is designed to keep the car stable when zooming at its top speed. It also has optional 10 spoke wheels and carbon fiber package.

Those are essentially the improvements of the Rapide S from its older version.

Aston Martin Rapide Engine.

The original Aston Martin Rapide was powered by a V12 engine with an output of 470 horsepower and 443-pound feet of torque. It had a top speed of 188.5 miles an hour, and able to zoom to 60 in 5 seconds.

Aston Martin Rapide Engine.

In 2014, Aston Martin upgraded the Rapide by mating it with a new V12 engine that can produce 550 horsepower. Called the Rapide S, it was able to zoom to 60 in 4.9 seconds. Its top speed is around 190 miles an hour.

Aston Martin Rapide Specifications.

Aston Martin Rapide Interior

The interior of the Rapide S is also eye-catching. It is made of supple materials, with beautiful and fragrant leather dominating the seats. It also has stunning glass switchgear that gives its cabin a unique look and feels.

However, the interior of the Rapide S is not for the claustrophobic. The rear seats are quite small for the average adult. They’re built more for kids, to be honest.

Aston Martin Rapide Interior.

Still, the rear seats have high-tech infotainment options that can keep adults busy and entertained even as they try their best not to get irritated with the lack of space inside the Rapide S. There are a couple of LCD screens built in front of rear seat passengers. However, the picture quality isn’t the best.

The Rapide S has a Bang & Olufsen Beosound audio system which is good enough for most audiophiles, but it doesn’t have an intuitive iPhone interface that some of its competitors have.

The center stack of the Aston Rapide S is beautifully laid out with bits of glass and chrome studded on its piano-black base. It has big, round buttons for typical tasks like choosing a gear and small, narrow ones for less important jobs like toggling the AC. Then there are some brushed metal knobs that provide a quick access to functions like fan speed, seat heaters, and temperature control.

Like most modern Astons, the Rapide S can be started up with a crystal key that you insert into a slot near the center of the dashboard. When you start up the engine, you’ll hear a brief yet punch roar coming from its engine.

The Aston Rapide S is a very long car that is surprisingly enjoyable and engaging to drive. Its handling dynamics is very impressive, beginning with an accurate, hydraulically assisted steering. It reacts very well and is very agile on the road.

Aston Martin Rapide Price.

The Aston Rapide S is around $10,000 cheaper than its predecessor, with a base price of $190,000.

Aston Martin Rapide Celebrity Owners.

With its beauty and impressive handling, it is not surprising that the Aston Rapide is highly coveted. Some of the more popular owners of an Aston Rapide unit are baseball player Edwin Jackson and football player Kerry Rhodes.

Aston Martin Rapide Celebrity Owners.

While it isn’t the most spacious car nor it has the most advanced infotainment features, the Aston Rapid remains a favorite of motorists. Itsspeed is more than enough to satisfy their need for an adrenaline rush.

https://www.supercarcenter.com/aston-martin-rapide/