Arel English flies seaplanes for a living. His R2 can’t fly, but it does handle basically everything else: the boat, the beach, the driveway and the parking garage.
English lives in New York City. His first job was flying seaplanes into the East River, ferrying people to yachts, lake houses, beaches and airports across the Northeast. He still laughs about the times police showed up on the water, responding to reports of a downed plane, only to find him floating there waiting on a passenger.
This past August, he traded in his 2022 R1T for a Launch Package R2. It was a practical decision. “I needed a vehicle that could tow, but that I could also park in a NYC parking garage.¹ The R1T was too big for the car elevators.”
The R2 now covers the ground between his flights. He's part of the Shelter Island Pilots Association, which runs a grass airstrip on Shelter Island, a community off the Long Island coast. He commutes to area airports in his R2. “Sometimes the commute to the airport can be long, and it's really nice not having to stop to get gas on my way home.”
Day to day, R2 does the ordinary work. He uses Rivian Assistant constantly, mostly because his daughter treats it like a jukebox and a personal assistant, “Especially when my daughter makes song requests or wants something specific to eat.” He's also relied on the vehicle's outlets, once running a friend's mother's TV, air conditioning, lights, and internet off the R2 overnight during a power outage. And he uses Universal Hands-Free on every drive: “It's so smooth, and handles weird lane markings so well.”²
Outside of flying, Arel runs Oyster KeepersOpens in new tab, a non-profit organization working to restore oyster reefs around New York and Long Island. The waters there used to be filtered by massive oyster beds before the species was wiped out locally. "We have an opportunity to restore the rainforest that once lived in our oceans," he says. His next job for the non-profit is logistics: moving 10,000 pounds of oyster shell from Maine to Shelter Island.
As for Arel's seaplanes, has he ever towed one with R2? “Not yet,” he says. Thanks for all your hard work, Arel. We look forward to helping you on all your adventures.
Book a demo drive with R2 and discover what your everyday adventures look like.
Informational purposes only. The information provided in this story is intended for general informational purposes only. It does not constitute professional advice or expert guidance. Always consult your Rivian Owner’s Guide and, where appropriate, seek professional assistance before engaging in the activity shown and described. While we strive to ensure accuracy, we do not assume any responsibility or liability for any inaccuracies, omissions or errors in this content.
Actual vehicle capability will depend on selected options and trim. Actual vehicle capability will depend on selected options and trim.
Driver assistance features are designed to support the driver but do not replace a driver’s judgment or the need to pay attention and control the vehicle. Drivers should be prepared to resume control at all times, and hands should remain on the steering wheel. See Rivian Owner’s Guide for details and limitations. Universal Hands-Free will not stop or slow down for traffic lights or stop signs. Review the Rivian Owner's Guide for additional details about this feature.
