Flight Simulator Training Near Greenbelt, MD | Solid Ground Aviation

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

Why Solid Ground

Why Greenbelt Pilots Train at Solid Ground Aviation

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

Not sure which program fits your goals?

📞 Call (410) 705-2250

Technical 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 Control
How do I get to Solid Ground Aviation from Greenbelt? +
From Greenbelt, take the Baltimore-Washington Parkway (I-295) North to Exit 15 (MD-175 West). Follow MD-175 approximately 2 miles to General Aviation Drive, Fort Meade. The drive takes about 20 minutes and avoids the Beltway entirely.
Why not just fly out of College Park Airport? +
College Park (KCGS) requires TSA registration for all pilots under the DC SFRA, adds Mode C transponder requirements, and limits the airspace you can train in. Our simulator at KFME is outside the SFRA — no extra requirements, no airspace restrictions, and far more training value per hour.
Is College Park the closest flight training option to Greenbelt? +
For basic aircraft training, KCGS is close. But for dedicated FAA-certified simulator training, Solid Ground Aviation at KFME is the closest BATD/AATD facility — and 20 minutes is a reasonable trade for the quality difference.
How much does simulator training cost? +
Simulator rental is $55/hr and instruction is $60/hr. Most programs are $125/hr combined. The New Pilot Accelerator is a flat $460 package with no hidden fees.
Can I log FAA hours from a simulator outside D.C.? +
Absolutely. FAA credit is nationally valid. Our SG-1 BATD allows up to 10 hours toward an Instrument Rating and 2.5 hours toward a PPL under FAR Part 61 — regardless of where you take your checkride.
Are METRO-accessible options available? +
The Greenbelt Metro station (Green Line) is the closest transit point. From there, a rideshare to KFME takes about 15 minutes. We're primarily car-accessible but rideshare works well for the short distance.
Are evening and weekend sessions available? +
Yes — open 7 AM to 10 PM, 7 days a week. Greenbelt residents working in D.C. can easily train on weeknights or weekend mornings before the afternoon winds up.

Operational Radius

Serving Pilots Across Greenbelt and the Inner Beltway 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

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

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.

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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

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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."

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?

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) 705-2250
🕐

Operational Hours

Monday–Sunday, 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM
AIR

Base Airport

Tipton Airport (KFME)