Flight Training Center
in Fort Meade, Maryland

Learn to fly in our fleet of Cessna 172s with the simulator built into every program, so your airplane money goes to what only an airplane can teach. When the weather says no, your lesson still happens.

Book a Discovery Session See the Programs
Student using FAA-approved flight simulator, beginner pilot training

New to Flying

Start with a discovery session and a plan

→
Student pilot practicing on simulator, instrument rating training

In Training

Keep moving toward your next checkride

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Licensed pilot using FAA-approved simulator for recurrent training

Licensed Pilots

Currency, IPCs and jet interview prep

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Flight Training Programs

From Your First Lesson
to Commercial Pilot

Three Part 61 programs, each with the simulator built in. You fly our Cessna 172s with an instructor, rehearse in the simulator between flights and train at a pace that fits your schedule.

Student pilot and instructor smiling inside the training aircraft before a lesson

Start Here

Private Pilot License

Your first pilot certificate. Go from your first takeoff through solo and cross-country flights to the checkride, then take friends and family flying.

 Pilot's view of the runway and GPS panel on approach in the training aircraft

Fly in the Clouds

Instrument Rating

Learn to fly by instruments in clouds and low visibility. You fly each approach in the simulator until it feels calm, then fly it for real.

 Pilot with a headset working through a checklist in the cockpit

Go Professional

Commercial Pilot License

The certificate that lets you fly for compensation, within commercial privileges. Sharpen your flying to commercial standards and take the next step toward a flying career.
See All Programs Book a Discovery Session
Instructor and student flying a low-visibility landing in the Solid Ground simulator

We Don't Cancel Lessons

Your flight school has a
weather problem. Solid Ground doesn't.

When the weather or an airplane says no, your lesson moves to the simulator or ground instruction. You keep your lesson time, your instructor works on what your syllabus needs next, and your training keeps moving while other students wait for a better forecast.

Book a Discovery Session

Simulator Built In

Spend Airplane Money on
What Only an Airplane Teaches

The simulator is part of every program here. Checklists, radio calls, procedures and approaches get practiced in our FAA-approved simulator, where an hour costs less than airplane time, so each flight lesson goes to the flying itself.

  • Instrument rating savings: $3,000 to $8,000
  • Rehearse each lesson in the simulator before you fly it
  • Some simulator time can count toward FAA requirements, depending on the rating and the device
  • Weather days turn into simulator or ground lessons
Flight simulator training background
Path Total Cost
Traditional Path - No Simulator $11,900
Supplement with Sim $8,750

Flight Hours Cost Comparison

Simulator rental runs ~$65/hr compared to ~$180/hr for an aircraft.

$3,150+
Potential
Savings
Plan Your Training
Nose and propeller of a Cessna trainer on the ramp at sunset
New

Our Fleet

Train in Our Fleet
of Cessna 172s

Our Cessna 172s fly with G5 instruments and Garmin GPS, and they're based at Tipton Airport (KFME), just outside the DC SFRA. Between flights, the same skills get polished in our simulator down the hall, so you show up to each lesson ready.

Meet Our FleetBook a Discovery Session

Why Train With Us

A Flight School That
Keeps You Moving

Flight training for pilots at every experience level, from your first lesson to your next rating. Here's what you get when you train with us.

Solid Ground Aviation Logo

What You Get

Everything You Need
to Keep Training

Here's what you get when you train with us, from your first lesson to your next rating.

Instructor and student in the training aircraft cockpit during takeoff

  • Lessons That Stay on the Calendar

    We don't cancel lessons. Weather and maintenance days move to the simulator or ground instruction.

  • Simulator in Every Program

    Practice procedures where an hour costs less, then fly them in the airplane.

  • Taught by Working Pilots

    Our founder and chief instructor is an airline pilot and ATP, and he holds CFI, CFII and MEI ratings.

  • Part 61 Flexibility

    Your pace fits your schedule. We plan lessons around work, school and family.

  • Emergencies, Practiced Safely

    Engine failures and instrument emergencies get rehearsed in the simulator, where a mistake costs a reset.

  • FAA & Insurance Benefits

    All courses provide FAA WINGS credit and AVEMCO safety reward insurance discounts, adding value to every lesson.

Already a Pilot?

Stay Current and
Ready for What's Next

Licensed pilots train here too. Log instrument currency, complete an IPC, shake off the rust or prepare for a FlexJet or NetJets interview in our FAA-approved simulator. Solid Ground Aviation is not affiliated with FlexJet or NetJets.

Instructor and pilot working through instrument procedures in the Solid Ground simulator

Instrument Proficiency
& Currency Calculator

Answer a few questions to check your FAA instrument currency status
and receive a personalized proficiency recommendation.

Flight Log Data

Review your logbook for the last 6 and 12 months.

How many approaches in the last 6 months? *
Total approaches in the last 12 months? *
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.

Why Our Students Excel

Flight Training That Works

Start Your Training

Tell us about your goals and we'll get back to you with a plan that pairs flight lessons in our Cessna 172s with simulator practice, and walk you through the next steps.

Category *

Course *
Pilot standing next to the training aircraft with the doors open at Tipton Airport

Airplane and Simulator,
One Training Plan

Fly with an instructor at Tipton Airport and rehearse each lesson in the simulator, from your first lesson to your next rating.

How We Make You a Better Pilot

Training with Solid Ground Aviation means getting more from every hour, in the airplane and in the simulator.

Build Your Training Plan
Ground school instructor explaining aviation charts to a student at Solid Ground Aviation

Fast, Cost-Effective Progress

Rehearse procedures in the simulator, where an hour costs less, so your flight lessons go to the flying itself.

Student practicing procedures in the Solid Ground Aviation simulator

Safe & Realistic Practice

Practice emergencies and complex maneuvers in the simulator first, then fly them with your instructor in the airplane.

Student flying a simulator lesson on a weather day at Solid Ground Aviation

Weather-Proof Learning

When the weather keeps the airplane on the ground, your lesson moves to the simulator or ground instruction.

Gift Experiences

Give the Gift of Flight

Close-up of a Cessna 172 nose and cockpit at sunset New: Aircraft Training

Discovery Flight in Our Cessna 172

Give the real thing. A discovery flight in one of our Cessna 172s with a certified flight instructor, the perfect first step for anyone who has ever wanted to fly.

Gift Experience Discovery Flight
Book a Discovery Flight
Career Mentoring

First Steps Course

The ultimate gift for aspiring aviators. Includes a career mentoring brief designed specifically to launch youth into their aviation journey.

Gift Investment $115
Affordable Intro

30-Min Sim Exposure

A high-impact, brief version of our simulation experience. The perfect 'taste of flight' for those looking for an affordable entry point.

Gift Investment $60
Most Popular
Instruction & Wings Credit

1-Hour Simulation Session

Experience the thrill of flight in a safe, controlled environment with professional instruction. Perfect for beginners or pilots seeking FAA WINGS credit.

Gift Investment $125
Instruction & Wings Credit

2-Hour Simulation Session

Dive deeper into flight training. Licensed pilots can sharpen their skills while newcomers enjoy an extended, safe introduction to the cockpit.

Gift Investment $250

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Solid Ground Aviation?
We're a Flight Training Center at Tipton Airport (KFME) in Fort Meade, Maryland. We teach Private Pilot, Instrument Rating and Commercial Pilot programs in our fleet of Cessna 172s, with our FAA-approved simulator built into every program. Licensed pilots train here too, for instrument currency, IPCs, proficiency and jet interview prep. See our programs.
What does "we don't cancel lessons" mean?
When the weather or an airplane says no, your lesson moves to the simulator or ground instruction, so your training keeps moving. You keep your lesson time and work on what your syllabus needs next instead of losing the day.
What is flight simulator training and how does it work?
It's hands-on flight practice in a high-fidelity simulator that replicates the controls, instruments, and visuals of an airplane. You can take off, navigate, and land without leaving the ground, practicing at your own pace and retrying maneuvers as needed. This allows for safe, realistic training, even in challenging conditions like crosswinds or low visibility. Learn more about our simulators.
Does simulator training count towards my pilot's license?
Yes, in two ways. Some simulator time can count toward FAA requirements when you fly it with an authorized instructor. Under our FAA approvals, the SG-2 can credit up to 2.5 hours toward the Private Pilot certificate and up to 20 hours toward the Instrument Rating (up to 10 hours in the SG-2B configuration).

The bigger benefit is what the simulator does for your airplane time. Most students need more than the FAA minimum hours before the checkride, and practicing those extra hours in the simulator, where an hour costs less, keeps your training on track and your budget in check. See how the savings add up.
How much does simulator training cost?
Our simulator rents for $65/hr, and simulator instruction is $60/hr.

Compare that with $185/hr for one of our Cessna 172s, plus $70/hr for flight instruction, and you can see why we move repeatable work into the simulator. You get more learning per dollar, and your airplane money goes to what only an airplane can teach. Compare the costs side-by-side.
How does simulator training save time compared to only flying an aircraft?
Simulators save you time by eliminating travel to practice areas, weather cancellations, and other ground-based delays. Every hour in the sim is dedicated to learning, which means you can master procedures faster and make your time in the aircraft more efficient. See a detailed time and cost breakdown.
Can I log instrument approaches in the simulator?
Yes. Our SG-2 is FAA-approved for instrument currency, so you can log the approaches, holding procedures and course intercepting and tracking that 14 CFR 61.57(c) asks for, with or without an instructor as your situation requires. Bring your logbook and we'll help you record the session. You can also read our simulator's FAA approval letter here.
Who can benefit from simulator training?
Pilots of all levels, from brand-new enthusiasts to experienced professionals. It's great for prospective pilots, student pilots, licensed pilots looking to stay sharp, and those practicing advanced or emergency procedures.
Are there prerequisites?
No prior flying experience is required. Beginners can start with an intro course, and experienced pilots can jump into advanced sessions. Solo use requires a pilot certificate and a short orientation. Check out our New Pilot Accelerator Course
I am training at a different flight school, can I train here too?
Absolutely. Many students use our simulator to reinforce skills learned elsewhere. You can train with your current instructor in our simulator or with one of our instructors to get a fresh perspective!
Do you offer flight lessons in aircraft?
Yes. You fly with us in our fleet of Cessna 172s, equipped with G5 instruments and Garmin GPS. Aircraft rental is $185/hr and flight instruction is $70/hr, and the simulator is built into every program so each flight lesson goes further. Meet our fleet.

Our instructors can also provide training in your personally owned aircraft, ensuring seamless continuity between your simulator sessions and in-aircraft experience.
How long is each session?
Most training sessions last between 1-3 hours. We can train longer, but we focus on quality training and find that this timeframe produces the best results.
When can I train?
Our training center is open from 7AM-10pm 7 days a week. We link you with an instructor that matches your availability to maximize convenience.

Got more any more questions? Contact Us

Solid Ground Aviation flight simulator in an office setup

For Flight Schools & Operators

Turn Empty Space Into a Training Center.

Pilots in your area need a professional, structured environment to build skills, maintain IFR currency, and stay sharp. Partner with Solid Ground Aviation to transform underutilized office space into a low-overhead, high-impact profit center. Our plug-and-play simulators integrate seamlessly into your facility, creating weather-proof revenue for your operation.

Learn more about partnerships

From the Blog

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Pilot reviewing a chart on the wing of the training aircraft before a flight

Book Your
Discovery Session

Start with a discovery session, meet the team and talk through a training plan that fits your goals and your schedule.

Book a Discovery Session
Ground School Training

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Upcoming Aviation Events & Ground School

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