Ryan Benaglio, a commercial pilot and Eustis resident, presented a plan at the City of Eustis commission meeting on April 3 proposing a downtown seaplane base to support flight instruction, seaplane tours and targeted tourism development.

Benaglio told commissioners the city could attract pilots for three-day seaplane rating courses and short sightseeing flights, and that a designated public seaplane base would “put Eustis on the map.” He said nearby training facilities are booked months in advance and estimated a professional consultant could secure Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approval in about 90 days.

The commission’s discussion focused on where seaplane infrastructure could be added with minimal impact on existing lakefront uses. Commissioners and staff identified a little-used cove and a sandy beachfront near the downtown dock as potential initial locations. Benaglio said a minimal build — removing one small tree and adding a modest ramp or floating staging — could allow some operations while the city considers longer-term dock improvements.

City staff and commissioners discussed fuel and docking logistics. Benaglio said fuel is advantageous but not required for initial operations; pilots often plan fuel stops in advance. He offered to lease space downtown and to invest in operations, estimating about $550,000 of private capital for planes, staff and equipment if he proceeded. He also suggested a consultant, identified as Doc Bailey, who has helped other municipalities establish seaplane bases and could prepare a proposal for approximately $25,000.

Commissioners asked staff to pursue a preliminary meeting with the consultant and to coordinate with the public-works director and Fred (a private-sector stakeholder already working on the boat initiative) to identify required dock or floating-ramp infrastructure and fuel options. A city commissioner noted the project could be advanced separately and concurrently with the tour-boat infrastructure work already underway.

No formal vote was taken. Commissioners instructed staff to arrange a meeting with the consultant to provide a scope and cost proposal and to return to commission with findings and recommendations.

Benaglio also described potential economic benefits: training students staying in town for multiple days, short tours that bring visitors to downtown restaurants, and occasional fly‑ins or festivals similar to events in nearby Tavares. Commissioners and staff flagged operational issues to study, including maritime engineer input, potential costs for dock piles or floating ramps, and whether temporary staging could allow earlier operations without a large dock extension.

The commission asked staff to include Fred and the public‑works director in early discussions about fuel and physical infrastructure and to report back when a consultant proposal and scope are available.