10/07/2026
👨✈️ **MEET THE PEOPLE BEHIND FLY UMATILLA**
An airplane is only part of the flight-training experience.
The people behind it matter just as much.
At Fly Umatilla, our team brings together decades of experience across military aviation, flight instruction, air traffic operations, aircraft maintenance, and professional aviation.
Different backgrounds. Different experiences. **One goal — helping you become a safe, confident pilot.**
# # # ✈️ STEVE NICKERSON — CFI
Steve brings a military aviation background to the Fly Umatilla team.
A former **U.S. Army aviator**, Steve has more than **1,300 hours of flight experience** in both airplanes and helicopters.
He holds Commercial certificates in Airplane Single-Engine, Multi-Engine, Instrument Airplane, and Rotorcraft-Helicopter, along with his **Certified Flight Instructor (CFI)** certificate.
Steve focuses on building strong fundamentals, sound aeronautical decision-making, and the confidence students need to become safe and independent pilots.
---
# # # ✈️ JACOB GRAFF — CFII
Jacob began his aviation journey in 2022 and has progressed through his Commercial Single-Engine and Multi-Engine certificates and **Certified Flight Instructor–Instrument (CFII)** rating.
He provides instruction from Private Pilot through Commercial training, with an emphasis on strong fundamentals, safety, and helping students reach their individual aviation goals.
---
# # # ✈️ DAVE HECHT — CFII
Dave brings a unique combination of aviation and air traffic control experience.
Along with his Commercial Single- and Multi-Engine certificates and CFI/CFII ratings, Dave has experience working with **ATC simulator scenarios used to train FAA air traffic controllers**.
He also holds a degree in **Air Traffic Management from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University**.
That experience gives Dave a unique perspective on instrument flying, communications, procedures, and operating safely in Central Florida's busy airspace.
---
# # # 🔧 GARAN BROADWAY — A&P MECHANIC
With more than **53 years in general and military aviation**, Garan brings an incredible depth of experience to Fly Umatilla.
Garan is a **Commercial Pilot and licensed A&P mechanic**, with experience ranging from aircraft maintenance and flight operations to manufacturing, experimental flight test, repair stations, and FBO operations.
His military aviation career spanned more than 20 years and included maintenance and crew chief responsibilities on the **B-1B, F-16, and F-4**, along with flight engineer experience on the **CH-47 and CH-54**.
His civilian career has included positions with **Hawker Beechcraft, Bombardier Aerospace, Raytheon Aircraft Services, and Teledyne Aircraft Service**, along with serving as a Chief of Maintenance.
Garan also supported government aviation operations in Kuwait and Iraq, working on **Chinook, Black Hawk, and Apache helicopters**.
Today, his experience adds another important piece to the Fly Umatilla team — **keeping our aircraft maintained, reliable, and ready to fly.**
---
# # # 🛩️ RYAN BENAGLIO — OWNER
And behind Fly Umatilla is our owner, **Ryan Benaglio**.
Ryan is a Lake County native and **U.S. Navy veteran**.
During his Navy career, Ryan served with **HSC-8 as a Special Operations Aviation Rescue Swimmer, Crew Chief, and Door Gunner**, and later with HSC-3 SCORE.
His aviation experience included search and rescue, aerial firefighting, and weapons recovery.
Over 11 years in naval aviation, Ryan accumulated more than **1,200 flight hours**.
Today, Ryan is focused on building something different at Umatilla Municipal Airport — a flight school where aviation is about more than simply earning certificates.
Ryan is also active with the **Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA)** and the Young Eagles program, helping introduce the next generation to aviation.
# # # ✈️ DIFFERENT BACKGROUNDS. ONE TEAM.
Military aviation.
Flight instruction.
Air traffic operations.
Aircraft maintenance.
Professional aviation.
Our team brings all of those experiences together under one roof.
Whether you're taking your first discovery flight, working toward your Private Pilot Certificate, pursuing an Instrument Rating, or building toward a career in aviation...
**Come meet the Fly Umatilla team.**
📍 **Umatilla Municipal Airport — X23**
📞 **352-931-0265**
🌐 **flyumatilla.com**
✈️ **Fly Umatilla — Where Dreams Take Flight**
