Serving Central Florida
Fly Umatilla provides comprehensive flight training in a professional yet welcoming environment. As the area’s only fixed-wing flight school, we take pride in offering small-town hospitality combined with big-sky opportunities for aspiring aviators. Our experienced instructors deliver personalized training through every stage of your aviation journey, from Private Pilot and Instrument Rating to Commercial, CFI, and CFII certifications. With affordable pricing, a modern fleet of well-maintained aircraft, and an uncongested airspace ideal for focused learning, Fly Umatilla is the perfect place to earn your wings and build a strong foundation for your aviation career.
see What we offer
Flight Instruction and Rentals in Clean, Safe, aircraft where student pilots are a name not just a number and your success is our mission.
Veteran Owned and Operated.
Ryan Benaglio, owner of Fly Umatilla, is a proud Lake County native with a deep passion for aviation and community service. Ryan is an enlisted US Navy Veteran who served with HSC-8 as a Special Operations Aviation Rescue Swimmer, Crew Chief, and Door Gunner then HSC-3 SCORE, focusing on SAR, Aerial firefighting and weapons recovery, accruing over 1,200 flight hours during 11 years.
Ryan is actively involved in our community, sitting as a Code Enforcement Board Member for the City of Eustis since 2021 and formerly as a Board of Director for the Lake Eustis Area Chamber of Commerce and shotgunner at the Eustis Gun Club. He is also an enthusiastic participant in the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) and its Young Eagles Program, introducing the basics of aviation to local youth.
In addition to his aviation pursuits, Ryan is a Broker-Associate at Hickory Hill Realty and Management. Outside of work, he enjoys flying, saltwater fishing, beekeeping and spending time with his wife Megan and their dog Cookie, who are often spotted around the Umatilla Municipal Airport or enjoying aviation adventures together.
Jacob Graff is a dedicated Certified Flight Instructor driven by a passion for helping others achieve their aviation goals. Since beginning his aviation journey in 2022, Jacob has earned his Commercial Pilot certificates for both Single-Engine and Multi-Engine Land aircraft, along with his Certified Flight Instructor Instrument (CFII) rating. This allows him to provide instruction from Private Pilot through Commercial training.
Jacob is committed to guiding students through every stage of their flight training, emphasizing safety, professionalism, and a strong understanding of aviation fundamentals. His current goal is to pursue a career as a cargo pilot, continuously advancing his skills while inspiring others to do the same.
An active member of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) and the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), Jacob remains deeply involved in the aviation community. Outside the cockpit, he enjoys staying active at the gym, spending time at the range, and relaxing with video games. Whether you’re beginning your flight training or working toward advanced ratings, Jacob provides personalized, supportive instruction designed to help every student succeed and develop a lasting love for aviation.
Dave is a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI/CFII) with commercial pilot certificates in both single- and multi-engine land aircraft. For Dave, flight instruction isn’t just about passing checkrides—it’s about sharing his excitement for aviation, teaching solid fundamentals, and mentoring each student to become the safest, most proficient pilot they can be.
Dave brings a unique depth of real-world airspace and communication expertise to the cockpit. Before instructing, he spent years helping run high-level ATC simulator scenarios to train FAA air traffic controllers for major Central Florida towers and radar facilities (including Orlando International, Exec, Sanford, Daytona Beach, and Jacksonville). Pair that with a degree in Air Traffic Management from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, and Dave specializes in making instrument training, complex airspaces, and ATC interactions feel second nature.
When he’s not up in the sky, Dave enjoys cooking from scratch, taking cruises, and spending quality time with his family. Whether you’re taking your very first discovery flight or aiming to conquer instrument procedures, Dave is ready to guide you through your aviation journey with a supportive, personalized approach.
Steve Nickerson is a Certified Flight Instructor with a background in Army aviation and a passion for helping pilots build the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to become safe and capable aviators. Steve holds Commercial Pilot certificates in Airplane Single-Engine and Multi-Engine, Instrument Airplane, and Rotorcraft-Helicopter, along with his Certified Flight Instructor certificate. His aviation experience includes more than 1,300 hours of flight time across airplanes and helicopters. As an instructor, Steve focuses on creating a positive, professional learning environment while tailoring instruction to each student’s individual needs and experience level. He believes that good instruction goes beyond simply passing a checkride—it is about developing sound aeronautical decision-making, strong fundamentals, and the confidence to operate safely and independently.
Whether you’re working toward your first solo, private pilot certificate, instrument rating, commercial certificate, or simply looking to become a more proficient pilot, Steve is committed to helping you reach your aviation goals.
Cookie, is our 10-year-old long-haired dapple dachshund, she is an essential member of the Fly Umatilla team. As Chief Morale Officer, she takes her job very seriously—whether it’s greeting pilots at the FBO, making sure no treat goes uneaten, or keeping laps warm during pre-flight briefings.
A seasoned aviator in her own right, Cookie prefers the high-wing Cessnas for their superior sightseeing opportunities but appreciates the autopilot in the low-wing Archer for those longer hauls to North Georgia. When she’s not soaring through the skies, you can find her patrolling the airport, supervising fuel stops, or napping in the sun between “official duties.”
If you spot Cookie at the airport, be sure to say hello—especially if you have a snack in hand!