Flight Simulator Training Near Washington D.C. | Solid Ground Aviation

FAA-approved flight simulator training 35 minutes from Washington D.C. Train at Tipton Airport (KFME) in Fort Meade, MD — $55/hr, no weather cancellations, airline instructors, open 7 days.

Why Solid Ground

Why D.C.-Area Pilots Train at Solid Ground Aviation

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

Not sure which program fits your goals?

📞 Call (410) 705-2250

Technical 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 Control
How do I get to Solid Ground Aviation from Washington D.C.? +
From downtown D.C., 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. Total drive time is approximately 35 minutes depending on traffic.
Why train in a simulator instead of an aircraft near D.C.? +
D.C. airspace is among the most restricted in the world. The SFRA and ADIZ create significant complexity for VFR training. In our simulator, you have zero airspace restrictions — practice any procedure, approach, or emergency scenario without limitations.
Can I log simulator hours from Maryland toward my FAA certificate? +
Yes. FAA credit is nationally valid regardless of where you log it. Our SG-1 BATD allows up to 10 hours toward an Instrument Rating and 2.5 hours toward a Private Pilot certificate under FAR Part 61.
Is this accessible for D.C. commuters without a car? +
The facility is most easily accessed by car via I-295 or the BW Parkway. MARC train service runs to Odenton station (10 minutes from the facility), which can be combined with a rideshare for a car-free option.
How does your pricing compare to D.C.-area flight schools? +
D.C.-area aircraft rental typically runs $200–$300/hr with instruction on top. Our simulator is $55/hr and instruction is $60/hr — most programs are $125/hr combined. Over a full instrument rating, that's a savings of $3,000–$6,000.
Can government employees or federal contractors train here? +
Yes. We serve pilots from all backgrounds and agencies. Sessions are booked privately and individually. Many of our students work in the D.C. metro area across both public and private sectors.
Are evening and weekend sessions available for D.C. professionals? +
Yes — open 7 AM to 10 PM, 7 days a week. D.C. professionals can train before or after work without fighting beltway traffic during rush hour.

Operational Radius

Serving Pilots Across the D.C. Metro 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
16 NM
KW00 Freeway Airport
10 NM
KBWI Baltimore/Washington International
8 NM
KEDG Washington Executive/Hyde Field
18 NM

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.

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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

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."

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?

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) 705-2250
🕐

Operational Hours

Monday–Sunday, 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM
AIR

Base Airport

Tipton Airport (KFME)