Why Solid Ground
Why D.C.-Area Pilots Train at Solid Ground Aviation
35 Minutes via the BW Parkway
From Capitol Hill or Northwest D.C., take the Baltimore-Washington Parkway (I-295) North to MD-175 West. You're at Tipton Airport in about 35 minutes — no beltway required.
No ADIZ. No SFRA. No Restrictions.
D.C. airspace is one of the most restrictive in the world. Our simulator has none of those limitations — you can practice any approach, emergency, or maneuver without airspace constraints.
Airline & Military Instructors
Our team includes former Navy aviators, airline captains, and career CFIIs with real cockpit experience — pilots who bring practical judgment to every session.
FAA Credit That Transfers
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 — valid anywhere in the country.
A Fraction of D.C.-Area Aircraft Costs
Aircraft rental in the D.C. metro area runs $200–$300/hr before instruction. Our simulator is $55/hr — and you'll log more approaches per hour than you ever would in the actual airplane.
More Reps Per Hour Than Any Aircraft
Reset, reposition, replay — our simulator lets you run 15–20 instrument approaches in a single session. In an aircraft, you'd get 3 or 4 at most.
Training Programs
Training Programs for D.C.-Area Pilots
Everything from your first discovery session to airline interview prep — 35 minutes from the nation's capital, none of the ADIZ complexity.
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 D.C.-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 Washington D.C.? +
Why train in a simulator instead of an aircraft near D.C.? +
Can I log simulator hours from Maryland toward my FAA certificate? +
Is this accessible for D.C. commuters without a car? +
How does your pricing compare to D.C.-area flight schools? +
Can government employees or federal contractors train here? +
Are evening and weekend sessions available for D.C. professionals? +
Operational Radius
Serving Pilots Across the D.C. Metro 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?
D.C. Pilots: 35 Minutes to FAA-Approved Sim Training
No ADIZ. No SFRA. No weather holds. Open 7 AM to 10 PM, 7 days a week — professional simulator 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 Who've Flown in the Most Complex Airspace in the World
"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?
D.C. Pilots: 35 Minutes to FAA-Approved Sim Training
No ADIZ. No SFRA. No weather holds. Open 7 AM to 10 PM, 7 days a week — professional simulator training just off the BW Parkway.
Direct Line
(410) 705-2250Operational Hours
Monday–Sunday, 7:00 AM – 10:00 PMBase Airport
Tipton Airport (KFME)