Flight Simulator Training in Fort Meade, MD | Solid Ground Aviation

FAA-approved simulator flight training at Tipton Airport (KFME). Train near Baltimore and Washington D.C. for $55/hr — 7 days a week, no weather cancellations. Instrument ratings, rusty pilot refreshers, and more.

Why Solid Ground

Why Pilots Choose Solid Ground Aviation in Fort Meade

🌦️

No Weather Days — Ever

Maryland weather can't ground us. Our simulators run 7 AM to 10 PM, 365 days a year. No cancellations, no rescheduling headaches.

📋

FAA Credit That Counts

Log up to 10 hours toward your Instrument Rating and 2.5 hours toward your Private Pilot certificate on our FAA-approved SG-1 BATD.

🎖️

Airline & Military Instructors

Every session is led by pilots with real-world time in military cockpits or commercial flight decks — not freshly-certified student teachers.

✈️

Built at an Active GA Airport

We operate at Tipton Airport (KFME) — a real GA environment with active traffic, radio calls, and the culture of a working airfield.

💰

40–60% Lower Than Aircraft Training

At $55/hr simulator and $60/hr instruction, you access airline-quality training without airline prices. Save over $3,000 on your license.

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Simulators We Designed Ourselves

The SG-1 and SG-2 were engineered in-house by Solid Ground Aviation. Off-the-shelf wasn't good enough — so we built our own.

Training Programs

Training Programs Available at Fort Meade

From your very first session to airline interview prep — we have a program for every stage of your aviation journey.

Not sure which program fits you?

📞 Call (410) 705-2250

Technical Briefing

Common Questions About Our Fort Meade Location

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

📞 Call Mission Control
Where is Solid Ground Aviation located? +
We're at 7515 General Aviation Drive, Fort Meade, MD 20755 — on the grounds of Tipton Airport (KFME), centrally located between Baltimore and Washington D.C. Easy access from I-95, I-295, and Route 32.
Do I need a pilot certificate to train here? +
No certificate required. We welcome everyone from complete beginners to ATP-level pilots. Our New Pilot Accelerator and Youth Discovery sessions are specifically designed for zero-experience students.
How many simulator hours count toward my FAA certificate? +
Our FAA-approved SG-1 BATD allows up to 10 hours toward an Instrument Rating and 2.5 hours toward a Private Pilot certificate. Our SG-2 AATD (certification pending) will expand instrument credit to 20 hours.
How much does simulator training cost? +
Simulator rental is $55/hr and instruction is $60/hr. Most programs run $125/hr combined. The New Pilot Accelerator is a flat $460 package. No hidden fees — what you see is what you pay.
Are sessions available on weekends and evenings? +
Yes — we're open 7 days a week, 7 AM to 10 PM. Simulator sessions are never cancelled due to weather or maintenance, so your training schedule stays consistent no matter what.
Can I use this simulator if I train at another flight school? +
Absolutely. Many students use our sim to supplement training they're getting elsewhere. Bring your own CFI or train with one of ours — we welcome both setups.
Is the simulator approved for instrument currency? +
Yes. Our SG-1 holds an FAA Letter of Authorization valid through May 2029 and qualifies for instrument currency logging under FAR 61.57, with or without an instructor present.
What aircraft does the simulator replicate? +
The SG-1 supports Cessna 172S, Piper PA-28-161, and Piper PA-28R-201 with 16 FAA-approved instrument panel configurations. Todd can configure it to match the specific aircraft you fly.

Operational Radius

Serving Pilots Across Maryland & the D.C. Region

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

KBWI Baltimore/Washington International
8 NM
KMTN Martin State Airport
20 NM
KW00 Freeway Airport
10 NM
KCGS College Park Airport
16 NM
KEDG Washington Executive/Hyde Field
18 NM

Ready to Fly?

Ready to Train at Fort Meade?

Sessions available 7 AM to 10 PM, 7 days a week. No weather holds. No waitlists. Just professional simulator training at a fraction of aircraft cost.

📞

Direct Line

(410) 705-2250
🕐

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?

Ready to Train at Fort Meade?

Sessions available 7 AM to 10 PM, 7 days a week. No weather holds. No waitlists. Just professional simulator training at a fraction of aircraft cost.

📞

Direct Line

(410) 705-2250
🕐

Operational Hours

Monday–Sunday, 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM
AIR

Base Airport

Tipton Airport (KFME)