Flight Simulator Training Near Bowie, MD | Solid Ground Aviation

FAA-approved flight simulator training 20 minutes from Bowie, MD. Train at Tipton Airport (KFME) for $55/hr — instrument ratings, IPC, rusty pilot refresh. Airline instructors, open 7 days.

Why Solid Ground

Why Bowie Pilots Train at Solid Ground Aviation

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20 Minutes from Bowie

From Bowie, take MD-197 North to MD-32 West, then MD-175 West to General Aviation Drive. About 20 minutes — shorter than most drives to a decent restaurant in Prince George's County.

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40–60% Lower Than Aircraft Costs

Prince George's County aircraft rental averages $180–$250/hr. Our simulator starts at $55/hr. Same FAA credit, same skills, dramatically lower cost.

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Weather-Proof Your Training

Maryland storm systems and low IMC ceilings cancel aircraft sessions without warning. Our simulator runs every day of the year — your training schedule is yours, not the weather's.

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Airline & Military Instructors

Every session is led by career-level pilots — former Navy aviators, airline captains, and professional CFIIs with tens of thousands of flight hours between them.

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Log Hours Toward Your Certificate

Our FAA-approved SG-1 BATD logs up to 10 instrument rating hours and 2.5 PPL hours — valid for any FAA certificate application.

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Realistic GA Airport Environment

We operate at a real general aviation airport with active aircraft, ATC, and the culture of a working field — not a strip-mall simulator center.

Training Programs

Training Programs for Bowie, MD Pilots

20 minutes from Bowie — FAA-approved simulator training for every stage of your aviation journey.

Not sure which program fits your goals?

📞 Call (410) 705-2250

Technical Briefing

Questions From Bowie-Area Pilots

Operational questions? We provide transparent, flight-ready answers. If you need further clarification, our mission control is ready to assist.

📞 Call Mission Control
How do I get to Solid Ground Aviation from Bowie? +
From Bowie, take MD-197 North to MD-32 West, then MD-175 West to General Aviation Drive, Fort Meade. The drive is approximately 20 minutes with no toll roads required.
Is there a flight simulator training center closer to Bowie? +
There is no dedicated FAA-certified BATD or AATD simulator facility in Bowie or Prince George's County. Solid Ground Aviation at Tipton Airport is the closest option at approximately 20 minutes.
How much does training cost? +
Simulator rental is $55/hr and instruction is $60/hr — $125/hr combined for most programs. The New Pilot Accelerator is a flat $460 package. No hidden fees.
Can I log FAA simulator hours from here? +
Yes. Our SG-1 BATD is FAA-approved and logs up to 10 hours toward an Instrument Rating and 2.5 hours toward a PPL under FAR Part 61.
Are evening and weekend slots available? +
Yes — open 7 AM to 10 PM, 7 days a week. Bowie residents can easily fit a session in before dinner on a weeknight.
Do you offer Youth sessions? +
Yes — our Youth Discovery Session is a 1.5-hour hands-on intro for teens, ideal for Bowie-area families exploring aviation as a career or hobby.
Can I use the simulator to build toward my instrument rating without leaving the ground? +
Yes. Up to 10 hours of your 40-hour instrument rating requirement can be logged in our FAA-approved simulator. That represents 25% of your total sim time — and usually the most cost-effective 25%.

Operational Radius

Serving Pilots Across Bowie and Prince George's County

Sector: Fort Meade / DC / Baltimore

Within 50 miles of our Fort Meade simulator, we provide the closest FAA-approved training environment for regional aviators.

Regional Gateway Airports

KW00 Freeway Airport
8 NM
KFME Tipton Airport (SGA Location)
14 NM
KCGS College Park Airport
14 NM
KBWI Baltimore/Washington International
18 NM

Ready to Fly?

Bowie Pilots: 20 Minutes to Your Next Session

Open 7 AM to 10 PM, 7 days a week. No weather cancellations. No aircraft availability issues. FAA-approved training in Prince George's County's backyard.

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Direct Line

(410) 705-2250
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Operational Hours

Monday–Sunday, 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM
AIR

Base Airport

Tipton Airport (KFME)
Flight Training Guide Ebook

New to Flight Training?

Download Our Free Guide

Confused by FAA requirements? Want to master the basics before investing? Our free roadmap simplifies the flight training process, answers the most common student pilot questions, and shows you exactly how starting in a simulator can save you over $3,000 on your license.

The Flight Deck

Learn From Pilots Who've Done It at the Highest Level

"Every instructor at Solid Ground has logged real-world hours in military cockpits, airline flight decks, or both."

Military & Airline Backgrounds
FAA Certified Instructors
10,000+ Combined Flight Hours
TO

Todd O'Brien

Founder / Airline Captain
ATPCFICFII

Military and airline career pilot who built SGA to bring professional sim training to general aviation.

TB

Todd Breese

CFI/CFII/MEI/ATP
ATPCFICFIIMEI

Former Navy Aviator and FedEx Captain with thousands of hours across military and commercial cockpits.

MA

Mike Allen

CFI/CFII
CFICFII

7,000+ hours of flight instruction with an active Angel Flights pilot background.

MS

Marty Sacks

CFI/CFII
CFICFII

Civil Air Patrol instructor deeply embedded in the Maryland GA community.

JB

Jeff Barnett

CFI/CFII/MEI/ATP/FE
ATPFECFICFIIMEI

Former USAir Express Pilot with extensive commercial airline and multi-engine instruction experience.

Ready to Fly?

Bowie Pilots: 20 Minutes to Your Next Session

Open 7 AM to 10 PM, 7 days a week. No weather cancellations. No aircraft availability issues. FAA-approved training in Prince George's County's backyard.

📞

Direct Line

(410) 705-2250
🕐

Operational Hours

Monday–Sunday, 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM
AIR

Base Airport

Tipton Airport (KFME)