Buddies

I had time, and had been debating where to fly that Sunday, but I also had reservations. I’d never flown with an animal, and my driving experiences with cats and dogs were mixed, at best. You’d think my American Shorthair tabby cat, named Cessna by my then 10-year-old son, would love to fly, but he can barely last 5 minutes in a car before he whines, growls, and hisses in protest.

The pet in need—a dog named Buddy—had been flown from a foster home in North Carolina to Frederick, Maryland, by pilot Greg, but poor weather forced the cancellation of the next leg of Buddy’s journey to Sky Acres Airport (44N) near Poughkeepsie, New York. I didn’t ask how big or well-behaved Buddy is, but my Cessna 170 has a large baggage area, and I felt compelled to help this dog on his journey to his forever home, as he was almost certainly escaping a terrible fate.

“Oh, my gosh, this is a miracle,” texted North Carolina foster Maria. “Thank you all so much. Not sure how to repay Pilot Greg for keeping Buddy overnight or Pilot Tom for organizing this or Pilot Kollin for flying on such short notice! Pilot Rich is available to meet at 44N tomorrow.”

I found the Pilots N Paws website includes helpful instructions and guidelines for volunteer pilots “flying pet passengers,” including steps to take before, during, and after a flight. The website also explains how pilots who fly rescue flights are eligible to claim portions of their flight expenses as a charitable deduction for tax purposes since Pilots N Paws is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

The next morning, I headed to the airport with dog treats and a water bowl in hand, eager to meet my canine passenger. I envisioned a rambunctious German Shepherd, but instead met an adorable beagle-Jack Russell mix, not much bigger than my 13-pound cat. Buddy must have enjoyed his first flight to Frederick in Greg’s Beechcraft Bonanza A36, because he was eager to get into my airplane. I loaded a borrowed dog crate into the airplane, made sure I had Buddy’s required paperwork, and took a photo with him before we boarded.

Once the engine roared to life, Buddy sat on his hind legs and quizzically observed me as we taxied to the runway. The only time he barked on the entire flight was when I asked if he was ready to go before we took the active runway, and I took his reply as an enthusiastic “yes.” Buddy was the perfect canine passenger, alternately sitting up and lying down but generally facing the direction of flight; he had an excellent instinct to avoid airsickness.

Two and a half hours later, we landed at Sky Acres (44N). Merrie and Mike, the couple who had to cancel their flight the previous day, greeted me as I shut down. They were delighted to get some quality time with Buddy and wished they could have kept him for themselves; he loves people, loves flying, and was making a lot of friends this weekend. All too soon, Buddy’s next pilot, Rich, arrived in a Grumman AA–5B Tiger for the last flight of his far-flung journey to Concord, New Hampshire, where his rescue parents Sandy and Hank eagerly waited.

I had to depart quickly to avoid afternoon storms developing along my route home, and perhaps it was for the best that I spent little time with Buddy—he is a little heartbreaker, and I could easily have grown too attached to him.

Later that evening, I received a text: “Thank you so much to everyone who participated in this,” said Sandy. “That is one lucky little pup.”

“Thank you, pilots!” responded Maria. “We could never have moved Buddy from NC to NH without you amazing humans. My heart is full and so grateful.”

Pilots N Paws is one way we can make a difference through volunteer flights. So many other opportunities exist to give back through the use of a general aviation aircraft. No matter which organization touches your heart, you’ll get to fly to new places with new passengers and become part of a community of pilots and other crucial volunteers dedicated to improving lives. 

[email protected]

Kollin Stagnito, AOPA senior vice president of publications, owns a cat named Cessna and one day hopes to own a dog who loves to fly.