Why Solid Ground
Why Greenbelt Pilots Train at Solid Ground Aviation
20 Minutes on the BW Parkway
From Greenbelt, take the Baltimore-Washington Parkway (I-295) North to MD-175 West — you're at Tipton Airport in about 20 minutes, bypassing the Beltway entirely.
Escape the D.C. Airspace Maze
College Park Airport (KCGS) sits inside the DC SFRA, adding TSA requirements and airspace complexity. Our simulator at KFME sits outside the SFRA — train any procedure without restrictions.
Half the Cost of Local Aircraft Rental
Aircraft rental near the Beltway runs $200–$300/hr. Our FAA-approved simulator starts at $55/hr with instruction at $60/hr — the same FAA credit at a fraction of the cost.
Airline & Military Instructors
Every session is led by career-level pilots — former Navy aviators, airline captains, and professional CFIIs with real cockpit experience behind every lesson.
FAA Credit Toward Your Certificate
Log up to 10 hours toward your Instrument Rating and 2.5 toward your PPL on our FAA-approved SG-1 BATD — valid for certificate applications anywhere in the country.
More Approaches Per Hour Than Any Aircraft
Reset, reposition, replay — in a single session you'll shoot 15–20 instrument approaches. In a real aircraft in the DC SFRA, you'd be lucky to get 4.
Training Programs
Training Programs for Greenbelt, MD Pilots
20 minutes from Greenbelt — full FAA-approved simulator training from first flight to IPC, instrument rating, and airline interview prep.
New Pilot Accelerator
Take your first steps in a safe, structured environment before ever entering a real aircraft.
Private Pilot Accelerator
Supplement your PPL training and cut expensive aircraft rental hours significantly.
Instrument Rating Accelerator
Log up to 10 FAA-creditable hours toward your Instrument Rating on our approved BATD.
Rusty Pilot Refresh
Get current again with FAA WINGS credit — no aircraft rental or weather delays.
IPC Accelerator
Renew your Instrument Proficiency Check efficiently in the sim with an experienced CFII.
IMC Emergencies
Practice IFR emergency scenarios in realistic, repeatable, and completely safe conditions.
Jet Transition / Interview Prep
Prepare for your first airline job with simulator-based interview and jet-profile training.
Youth Discovery Session
A 1.5-hour intro for teens and parents exploring aviation careers — mentoring included.
Instrument Currency
Stay legally current on instruments at the most accessible rate in the region.
CFI/CFII Accelerator
Prepare to pass the checkride and become an instructor people can actually learn from.
Not sure which program fits your goals?
📞 Call (410) 705-2250Technical Briefing
Questions From Greenbelt-Area Pilots
Operational questions? We provide transparent, flight-ready answers. If you need further clarification, our mission control is ready to assist.
📞 Call Mission ControlHow do I get to Solid Ground Aviation from Greenbelt? +
Why not just fly out of College Park Airport? +
Is College Park the closest flight training option to Greenbelt? +
How much does simulator training cost? +
Can I log FAA hours from a simulator outside D.C.? +
Are METRO-accessible options available? +
Are evening and weekend sessions available? +
Operational Radius
Serving Pilots Across Greenbelt and the Inner Beltway Region
Within 50 miles of our Fort Meade simulator, we provide the closest FAA-approved training environment for regional aviators.
Regional Gateway Airports
Ready to Fly?
Greenbelt Pilots: 20 Minutes to Unrestricted Sim Training
No SFRA. No TSA requirements. No weather holds. Open 7 AM to 10 PM, 7 days a week — FAA-approved sim training just off the BW Parkway.
Direct Line
(410) 705-2250Operational Hours
Monday–Sunday, 7:00 AM – 10:00 PMBase Airport
Tipton Airport (KFME)
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
Instructors With Real Airline and Military Flight Backgrounds
"Every instructor at Solid Ground has logged real-world hours in military cockpits, airline flight decks, or both."
Todd O'Brien
Founder / Airline CaptainMilitary and airline career pilot who built SGA to bring professional sim training to general aviation.
Todd Breese
CFI/CFII/MEI/ATPFormer Navy Aviator and FedEx Captain with thousands of hours across military and commercial cockpits.
Mike Allen
CFI/CFII7,000+ hours of flight instruction with an active Angel Flights pilot background.
Marty Sacks
CFI/CFIICivil Air Patrol instructor deeply embedded in the Maryland GA community.
Jeff Barnett
CFI/CFII/MEI/ATP/FEFormer USAir Express Pilot with extensive commercial airline and multi-engine instruction experience.
Ready to Fly?
Greenbelt Pilots: 20 Minutes to Unrestricted Sim Training
No SFRA. No TSA requirements. No weather holds. Open 7 AM to 10 PM, 7 days a week — FAA-approved sim training just off the BW Parkway.
Direct Line
(410) 705-2250Operational Hours
Monday–Sunday, 7:00 AM – 10:00 PMBase Airport
Tipton Airport (KFME)