We love helping people learn to fly

Our flyosophy

Flying should be fun! It’s your money and your time. Yes, learning requires hard work but it should be a positive experience. If you’re not having fun, are you really being successful?

Flying should be safe. Our primary aim is to create a safe learning environment and culture where being a safe pilot is actually cool…or lit, or rad, depending on your generation.

Flight training can be better. We are a team of modern tailwheel aviators who are passionate about using time-honored techniques to create exceptional pilots.

“Ben has a thorough passion for aviation that sets him apart from many other CFI’s. He rises above the standard set by the FAA, and because of this I can guarantee that anyone who has the pleasure of flying with Ben will be the best pilot they can be.”

— Ian Rodriquez, CFII, MEI

Our story

Hi, I’m Ben. I’m a tailwheel pilot and coffee nerd and Certificated Flight Instructor (CFII) and Owner. Drift Airplane Flying Co. is based northeast of Nashville, Tennessee at Music City Executive Airport (KXNX) in Gallatin, TN. I’ve been dreaming of flying since I was a kid building marginally airworthy Lego planes and sometimes I have to pinch myself that I get to fly things like the iconic Piper Cub almost daily!

I co-created and built Crema, Coffee Roasters with my lovely wife and coffee fanatic. At Crema we relationally source and roast delicious coffees from coffee producers we know and trust. People care is paramount at Crema as well as being thoughtfully sustainable through our zero waste and carbon neutral practices. Food and Wine Magazine has twice recognized Crema as one of America’s best coffee companies. So this is how two disparate passions, coffee and airplanes, have intersected. But doesn’t every pilot know that a great day of flying begins with a great cup of coffee?!

I started teaching tailwheel flying because it is the type of flying I enjoy most. And after fours years and many tailwheel lessons what was FlywithBen.com became Drift Aviation. Our focus is creating exceptional pilots using time-honored techniques and tailwheel aircraft (those funny planes with the tiny wheel on the tail). We love introducing others to aviation and helping seasoned pilots alike. Whether you’re just curious and want to take a Discovery Flight, seeking your Private or Commercial Pilot’s certificate, instrument rating or tailwheel endorsement or need a flight review we’d love to help you reach your goals!

Blue skies,