You do not need Candy at the apartment, just her Stretch, so drive it yourself.

Plus sides: Drive yourself during the autoscroller Minus sides: No helicopter so the next part will be slow, cant pick up hidden packages, need to find a flamethrower somewhere.

I have no idea whether this is worth it, haven't timed it.

You could pick up the flamethrower from the docks after doing Kaufman cabs' final mission? And maybe take the helicopter from the challenge nearby this mission and take it back instead of driving the car.

Those are my ideas for this.

Bumping this with an idea (but I don't have any saves to test it)

Could you leave the helicopter near the apartment, drive to film studios, drive the limo, and then switch to the chopper as soon as you trigger the cutscene?