Located at Umatilla Municipal Airport, Fly Umatilla is dedicated to providing high-quality, personalized flight training under Part 61 regulations. Whether you’re looking to earn your Private Pilot License add an Instrument Rating, oradvance to a Commercial Pilot License our experienced instructors and well-maintained fleet will help you achieve your aviation goals.
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 with a passion for helping others achieve their aviation dreams. His journey in aviation began in 2022, and since then, earned both Commercial Pilot certificates for Single-Engine and Multi-Engine Land aircraft, along with a Certified Flight Instructor Instrument (CFII) rating. This allows him to teach anything from Private pilot to Commercial. His current goal is to become a cargo pilot. Committed to guiding students through every stage of their training, emphasizing safety and a strong understanding of aviation principles. Jacob is also an active member of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) and the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), staying engaged with the local aviation community. Outside of flying, he enjoys staying active at the gym, spending time at the range, and winding down with video games. Whether you're just starting your training or working toward advanced ratings, Instructor Jacob is here to provide personalized, supportive instruction to help you succeed and develop a passion for aviation.
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Cookie, is our 8-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!
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