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Find quick answers about flight lessons in our Cessna 172s, simulator training, instrument currency and costs, or ask us directly.

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Common Questions

Answers for Every
Stage of Training

Search by keyword or pick a topic below. New students, licensed pilots and simulator buyers all find answers here, from your first lesson in our Cessna 172s to your next IPC.

Accelerated Instrument Rating in 2026

Faster than weekly lessons, but nobody can promise a date. The FAA minimums are a floor, and your instructor recommends you for the checkride when you fly to the instrument standard. Some of the work, like the 250 nautical mile IFR cross-country flight and 3 hours of instrument training in an airplane within 2 calendar months of the checkride, depends on weather and airplane availability.

What we can compress is the simulator work. Our traveling-pilot block is built around 2 to 3 consecutive days of simulator training, which keeps you from relearning last week's approaches every lesson. Our week-by-week timeline shows how a plan can be laid out.

You need to hold a private pilot certificate and be able to read, speak, write, and understand English. You also need 50 hours of cross-country time as pilot in command, at least 10 of them in an airplane. Many private pilots already have that time from their private training.

Confirm that your medical certificate is current before the airplane phase and the checkride. If you are unsure about your logbook, bring it to us and we will go through it with you. The accelerated IFR requirements checklist walks through each item.

Yes, up to a limit. The FAA caps device credit at 10 hours of instrument time in a basic aviation training device and 20 hours in an advanced aviation training device. Credit applies only when the device is FAA-approved, an authorized instructor provides the time, and the FAA approved the instrument training and tasks flown in it.

That cap is a maximum, and what applies to your plan depends on the device and the tasks you fly. Our SG-2 simulators are FAA-approved AATDs, and your instructor can tell you how your sessions will be logged. Some instrument time always happens in an airplane, so the simulator cannot replace the whole rating. See how simulator hours change your instrument rating cost for the budget side.

The FAA requires you to pass the instrument knowledge test before the checkride. You first complete ground training or home study and get an instructor endorsement to take it. A passing result stays valid for 24 calendar months before the month of your practical test.

The test timing matters for your schedule. If you arrive with the knowledge test done, your training days go to flying and not to studying. Your instructor also has to endorse you for the checkride within 2 calendar months before you apply.

You will fly holds, missed approaches, ILS, VOR, and GPS approaches, plus partial-panel flying, system failures, and weather scenarios. The training runs on GNS 430/530 and GTN 650/750 avionics, so you learn the boxes you will see in the airplane.

The simulator lets your instructor pause, replay, and reset a scenario. A foggy approach gets flown again from the final approach fix until it feels calm. Weather never cancels a simulator session, and we are open early and late, every day of the year.

Your total depends on how many hours you need, and simulator hours cost less per hour than airplane hours. The main cost lines are airplane time, instructor time, simulator sessions, ground study, the knowledge test fee, the examiner fee, your medical, and supplies. Gaps between lessons add review hours, so a tight schedule can keep your hours down.

Bring your budget or financing plan to your first conversation and we will build the plan around it. The post on accelerated vs. traditional instrument rating training compares how the two paths spend your time and money.

The right one depends on your schedule and how you learn. Both paths meet the same FAA requirements and the same checkride standard. Accelerated suits you if you can block consecutive days and want momentum, and part-time suits you if work and family spread your availability across the week.

Long gaps in a part-time plan can push your airplane training outside the 2-calendar-month window before the checkride, so plan that window early. Our post on accelerated or part-time instrument training helps you pick a pace.

We train at Tipton Airport (KFME) in Fort Meade, Maryland, and serve pilots across the Washington, D.C., Baltimore, and Annapolis areas. Our simulators run weather-proof and on your schedule, so you do not lose a lesson to Chesapeake Bay fog or wait on D.C. airspace.

If you live out of town, the traveling-pilot format is built for you. You fly in, train over consecutive days, and go home with the simulator block done. See accelerated training for traveling pilots for how it works.

Start with a conversation about your logbook, your medical, and your calendar. We will check what you already have, point out what is left, and lay out a plan you can follow.

Contact us to map your accelerated instrument rating plan and bring your logbook with you.

CFI & CFII Accelerator

A simulator-based program designed to enhance your instructional technique, focusing on teaching methods, error correction, and scenario-based training in both VFR and IFR environments.
For aspiring CFIs and CFIIs preparing for checkrides, or current instructors looking to maintain and improve their teaching proficiency.
You'll learn how to demonstrate maneuvers effectively, manage simulated students, handle unexpected scenarios, and refine your communication and instructional flow.
Training is billed hourly: $65/hr for the simulator and $60/hr for instruction. Most sessions last 2 to 3 hours including briefing and debriefing.

Engine Failure Bootcamp

An intensive training program that builds instinctive responses and sound decision-making for engine failures and power-loss emergencies.
You’ll practice forced landings, best glide management, restart procedures, and emergency checklists in both VFR and IFR environments.
The session starts with a detailed pre-brief, followed by multiple failure scenarios in the simulator, and concludes with a full debrief and performance review.
Because simulators let you safely experience a wide range of realistic emergencies you could never safely practice in an aircraft.

Fear of Flying

A structured and supportive training experience designed to help you overcome anxiety related to flying by learning how flight works in a calm, simulator-based environment.
Not at all. This course is tailored for complete beginners or passengers who want to feel more confident about air travel.
Ground discussion about how airplanes fly, turbulence, and air traffic control, followed by a realistic but relaxed simulator session where you can explore flight from the pilot’s seat.
Yes. All sessions are one-on-one in a controlled simulator environment. You can pause, ask questions, or stop at any time.

First Steps Course

The First Steps Course is the perfect entry point for anyone curious about learning to fly. It combines a structured consultation with an introductory simulator session, giving you a clear understanding of the Private Pilot License (PPL) process before committing to full training.

You’ll leave with a realistic plan, answers to your questions, and the confidence to take your next step in aviation.

This course is designed for:

  • Prospective pilots unsure where to start
  • Those curious about the time, cost, and requirements to get a PPL
  • People who want to experience flight training without a big commitment
  • Serious prospects looking for structured guidance before enrolling

We walk you through the entire training process and give you a hands-on introduction to flying:

  • Basic prerequisites (age, language, and citizenship requirements)
  • Ground school options and FAA written test overview
  • Medical certificate process (3rd and 1st class, MedXPress)
  • Recommended equipment: headsets, ForeFlight, iPad, study materials
  • Training timeline: FAA minimum vs. realistic national average
  • Common mistakes and how to avoid them
  • Introductory simulator flight, a “taste” of your first lesson

Unlike a free tour or casual visit, this course is structured to give real value while helping ensure that only serious future pilots move forward. It’s a smart way to get clarity without wasting time or money.

  • Low commitment, high clarity
  • Realistic simulator experience
  • Step-by-step review of what it takes to get started
  • Personalized guidance for your next step

Most students who complete the First Steps Course choose to continue with our New Pilot Accelerator Course, which focuses on foundational flight procedures in the simulator before stepping into the aircraft.

This saves both time and money, setting you up for success from your first flight lesson.

Learn more about the New Pilot Accelerator course

Flight 101

Yes. Our goal is to build the aviation community. There is no credit card required and no obligation to sign up for lessons.
Not at all. This session is designed for people on all levels of flight experience.
Absolutely! Flying is better with a support system. Just make sure they register as well so we have enough seating.
At our Flight Training Center at Tipton Airport (KFME), 7515 General Aviation Dr, Fort Meade, MD 20755. Our simulator and our Cessna 172s work from the same building, so you'll see both.
Flight 101 is a free group session about cost, timelines and how training works. A discovery session is your own hands-on time at the controls with one of our instructors. Many people come to Flight 101 first, then book a discovery session.
Yes, you're welcome. Bring your questions about your next rating, instrument currency or a career move, and we'll point you to the right program.

ForeFlight VFR Mastery

A hands-on simulator session that teaches you how to plan, brief, and fly VFR routes using ForeFlight on your iPad or EFB.
Student pilots, private pilots, and anyone who wants to become proficient using ForeFlight for navigation, traffic awareness, and weather tools.
Flight planning, weight & balance, filing flight plans, navigation logs, and live use of ForeFlight features while flying in the simulator.
Yes. Bring your own iPad with ForeFlight installed to train exactly the way you’ll use it in the cockpit.

General

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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!
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.
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.
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.

GNS430/530 Mastery

A dedicated session for mastering Garmin’s GNS430 and GNS530 avionics systems, focusing on setup, navigation, and IFR operations.
Because avionics skills are best learned without pressure. You can pause, repeat, and explore all menus without burning fuel or holding up traffic.
Flight plan creation, direct-to navigation, approach loading and activation, OBS mode, and emergency use cases.
Absolutely. This training saves valuable aircraft time by letting you master avionics flow and procedure on the ground first.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, within FAA limits. With an authorized instructor, time in our FAA-approved SG-2 can count toward your certificate or rating, up to the amounts in the device's approval, and you can log instrument currency in it too. The rest of your training happens in our Cessna 172s, so your airplane hours go to what only an airplane can teach.

We operate out of Tipton Airport at KFME in Fort Meade, Maryland. Our spot sits right outside the restrictive D.C. SFRA airspace. You spend your paid minutes learning instead of waiting out air traffic control holds.

An hour in our simulator costs less than an hour in the airplane, so we move repeatable work like checklists, procedures and approaches into the simulator. Your airplane money then goes to what only an airplane can teach. How much you save depends on your program and your pace, and we'll walk you through a realistic plan before you start.

Yes, you can start from zero. We take you from your first lesson through your Private Pilot certificate, Instrument Rating and Commercial Pilot certificate in our Cessna 172s, with the simulator built into every step. Many pilots then build hours, often as flight instructors, on the way to an airline job. Hiring is up to the airlines, so our job is to make you a sharp, well-trained pilot at every stage.

IMC Emergencies Course

A scenario-based training experience designed to prepare instrument-rated pilots for realistic in-flight emergencies under IMC conditions.
You'll handle partial panel failures, vacuum loss, electrical issues, engine failures in IMC, and lost communications, all in a safe simulator setting.
Simulators allow you to experience complex or dangerous failures safely, repeat scenarios instantly, and learn proper response techniques with instructor guidance.
Ideal for active IFR pilots seeking to improve decision-making, emergency readiness, and confidence when facing unexpected challenges in the clouds.

IMC Emergencies

A course focused on handling unexpected situations in instrument meteorological conditions, from disorientation to equipment failures.
Partial panel flying, vacuum failures, loss of GPS signal, ATC reroutes, spatial disorientation, and emergency diversions.
Instrument-rated pilots and IFR students who want to improve their confidence and reaction time when things go wrong.
You can safely repeat complex emergencies, analyze your responses, and build muscle memory without risk or added cost.

Instrument Currency Program

A focused simulator training package to help current IFR pilots maintain legal instrument currency and sharpen their procedural proficiency.
Often enough to stay inside your 14 CFR 61.57(c) currency window. Many pilots also book quarterly refreshers, so the approaches feel routine before they need them in real weather.
Each session covers at least six approaches, holding procedures, intercepting and tracking courses, and emergency scenarios in IMC conditions.
Yes. The approaches, holds and course tracking you fly in our FAA-approved simulator count toward instrument currency under 14 CFR 61.57(c). Log them the same way you would log them in the airplane.

Instrument Proficiency Check Accelerator

A targeted simulator course for instrument-rated pilots who need an Instrument Proficiency Check. You train the IPC tasks in our FAA-approved simulator first, so getting your currency back is faster and more affordable.
You practice every maneuver and procedure in the simulator before the check. Under our SG-2A's FAA approval, part of the IPC itself can be flown in the simulator and the rest is flown in an airplane, which lets most pilots finish the airplane portion in as little as one flight.
You'll train on holds, approaches, missed approaches, departures, RNAV procedures, emergencies, and real ATC radio practice using realistic IFR scenarios.
Simulator sessions are $55/hr, compared with $185/hr to rent one of our Cessna 172s. That makes the simulator the affordable place to sharpen the approaches, holds and procedures you'll fly on your IPC.

Instrument Currency

A structured simulator session designed to help you meet 14 CFR 61.57 instrument currency requirements efficiently.
Six instrument approaches, holds, intercepts, and course tracking, all in compliance with FAA regulations.
Yes. Our FAA-approved AATD allows you to log approaches and holding procedures toward maintaining instrument currency.
You can complete approaches solo after checkout, or with one of our CFII instructors for proficiency verification.

Instrument Rating Accelerator

A focused training path designed to prepare you for the Instrument Rating checkride with heavy use of simulator-based IFR training.
Private pilots ready to pursue their instrument rating or students already in an IFR program looking to reduce aircraft costs.
Scenario-based IFR training including approaches, holds, navigation procedures, and emergency management with guided instruction.
You master procedures and avionics in the simulator first, so your airplane hours go to flying them for real instead of learning the boxes in the air. With an authorized instructor, up to 20 hours in our SG-2A can count toward the rating.

IPC Accelerator

A simulator-based preparation course for your Instrument Proficiency Check (IPC), allowing focused practice before the official evaluation.
Approaches, holds, missed procedures, partial panel work, and emergency scenarios in a realistic IFR environment.
Not entirely. Part of the IPC can be flown in our FAA-approved SG-2A, and the rest has to be flown in an airplane. A CFII, an examiner or another authorized person conducts the check, and most of your preparation and skill review happens right here in the simulator.
Typically 2 to 3 simulator sessions, each lasting 1.5 to 2 hours with full briefing and debriefing.

Jet Transition

A simulator-based training designed to help piston or turboprop pilots transition to jet aircraft operations and modern avionics systems.
Commercial pilots, corporate candidates, and airline applicants preparing for interviews or type-rating programs.
High-altitude operations, jet aerodynamics, CRM, automation management, and turbine system familiarization.
Yes. We build in the simulator profiles and flows commonly used in airline and corporate interview prep, including FlexJet and NetJets interviews and sim evaluations. Solid Ground Aviation is not affiliated with FlexJet or NetJets.

Licensed Pilots Training

The Licensed Pilots Training program is designed to help current pilots maintain proficiency, sharpen their avionics knowledge, and advance their aviation careers. Whether you're a weekend flyer or preparing for professional opportunities, our FAA-approved simulator programs provide an efficient and cost-effective way to stay sharp.

This training pathway includes recurrent training, advanced avionics mastery, and scenario-based proficiency courses tailored to your specific goals.

This program is ideal for:

  • Private, commercial, and ATP-rated pilots wanting to stay proficient
  • Instrument-rated pilots maintaining currency
  • Rusty pilots looking to refresh their skills before returning to active flying
  • Flight instructors and airline candidates preparing for the next career step

Our curriculum offers focused modules to meet different pilot needs, including:

  • Rusty Pilot Refresh: Get back in the cockpit with confidence.
  • IPC Accelerator & Instrument Currency: Regain or maintain IFR proficiency efficiently.
  • IMC Emergencies: Practice high-risk scenarios safely in the simulator.
  • Avionics Mastery: GNS, GTN, Garmin G5, and G1000 focused training.
  • Jet Transition & Interview Prep: Prepare for FlexJet, NetJets and airline interviews and simulator profiles.
  • Personalized Training: One-on-one instruction for specific goals.

Training in our FAA-approved SG-2 flight simulator offers significant advantages over traditional aircraft-only training:

  • Lower costs compared to flying hours
  • Solo currency sessions after a simulator checkout
  • Safe environment to train IMC emergencies and complex scenarios
  • Ability to pause, repeat, and reposition at any phase of flight
  • Faster mastery of avionics and procedures

Many of our courses support FAA currency and proficiency requirements, such as:

  • Instrument currency (14 CFR 61.57)
  • IPC preparation
  • Flight review preparation
  • FAA WINGS credit for Rusty Pilot Refresh

Practice the procedures in the simulator first, and your airplane time goes to showing what you know instead of relearning the basics. The flight portion of a flight review is always flown in an airplane, and you can fly it with one of our instructors in our Cessna 172s.

Upon completion, pilots typically:

  • Schedule a shorter, more efficient flight review or IPC in the aircraft
  • Log currency approaches and holds at a fraction of the cost
  • Receive documentation and endorsements as appropriate
  • Feel more confident and safer in real-world flying

Many pilots also continue with advanced courses, such as Jet Transition & Interview Prep or CFI Accelerator, to progress toward professional goals.

New Pilot Accelerator

A 4-part simulator-based course introducing you to flight controls, radio communication, navigation, and aircraft procedures before your first real flight.
Aspiring pilots who want to build confidence and save money before starting actual flight lessons.
Checklists, navigation, pattern work, and emergency procedures, all safely practiced on the ground first.
You’ll start your aircraft lessons already comfortable with flight fundamentals, reducing overall training costs.

Partnership & Operations

One of the biggest advantages of our system is its compact footprint. You only need a standard-sized office or a spare room at your facility.

The simulator runs on standard electrical outlets and does not require heavy industrial modifications. We will help you evaluate your specific space during our initial consultation.

Yes, within the limits of the FAA approval. Our commercial simulators are designed to meet rigorous standards, and when paired with our structured curriculum and an authorized instructor, the time logged can count toward instrument currency, part of an instrument proficiency check and specific certificate requirements. The Letter of Approval lists exactly what each configuration can credit.

Not at all. When you partner with Solid Ground Aviation, you receive our complete, "plug-and-play" educational framework.

This includes an extensive catalog of pre-developed courses covering everything from the New Pilot Accelerator program to advanced avionics and emergency procedures. Your instructors simply follow the proven syllabus.

Our commercial partnership includes a comprehensive support framework. You are never left to figure things out on your own.

We provide ongoing technical support, software updates, and hardware troubleshooting to ensure your operation experiences minimal downtime and maintains a commercial standard of quality.

Shipping and installation fees vary based on your specific location and facility setup.

Once we finalize your partnership structure, we will provide a custom quote and coordinate the logistics to ensure your simulator is delivered, installed, and thoroughly tested before you open your doors.

Private Pilot Accelerator

A guided simulator-based course designed to complement your flight lessons by reinforcing core PPL skills in a controlled, repeatable environment.
Checklists, radio work, pattern entries, navigation, and in-flight decision making, all taught through practical scenarios.
You’ll master procedures faster and spend less money reviewing them in the airplane.
Yes. You can schedule sessions flexibly and focus on the topics you need most.

PPL Maneuver Master

A simulator-based course focusing on perfecting Private Pilot maneuvers like steep turns, stalls, and ground reference patterns.
Student pilots preparing for their PPL checkride or wanting to refine their control precision and flow.
Each lesson isolates a key maneuver, followed by simulator practice and instructor feedback to improve consistency.
Absolutely. It’s one of the best tools to build confidence and smoothness before your practical test.

Private Pilot Supplemental Program

A series of courses designed to save you time and money throughout your training by teaching topics in the simulator in a way you could never learn in the airplane
No! Pick and choose what you need throughout your training, or book a custom training session to focus on what you need help with
Most sessions start with a 30 minute pre-brief covering the academics behind the skill, then we hop in the simulator for a 1.5 hour lesson to put it into practice
Sessions are billed hourly. Simulator rental is $65/hr and the instructor is $60/hr. You will only pay for the simulator while you are using it

Private Pilot Training

A lot of it. The simulator is where you practice the procedures: crosswind landings, engine failure procedures, ForeFlight basics, VOR and GPS navigation and busy airport operations. Then you fly them for real in our Cessna 172s, so each airplane lesson starts from what you already know. With an authorized instructor, up to 2.5 hours of that simulator time can count toward your certificate. You can learn more about our Private Pilot Accelerator program and see a full list of topics.
Yes, and we highly recommend it. Our New Pilot Accelerator course front-loads your first few flight lessons in the simulator, saving you time and money from day one. You'll step into the aircraft fully prepared, confident, and ready to get the most from every hour you fly.

Rusty Pilot Refresh: Flight Review & Topics

A focused simulator course designed to help lapsed pilots regain proficiency and confidence before returning to real-world flying.
Pilots who haven’t flown in months or years and want to review airspace, radio communication, and flight procedures.
Normal and emergency procedures, airspace review, pattern work, navigation, and current FAA regulations.
It gets you ready for one. The simulator is a great place to review maneuvers and procedures, and an instructor can cover the ground portion with you. The flight portion of a flight review has to be flown in an airplane, and you can fly it with one of our instructors in our Cessna 172s.

Rusty Pilot Refresh

A comprehensive refresher course designed to help lapsed pilots regain confidence, review updated procedures, and return safely to active flying.
This course is perfect for certificated pilots who have been out of the cockpit for a while and want to get current again, whether it’s been months or years.
You'll review airspace, regulations, communications, weather briefings, and flight planning, then apply it all hands-on in our FAA-approved simulator.
Most pilots complete the full refresher in one to two sessions depending on proficiency level and comfort with current procedures.

The Simulator Advantages

Simulator training reduces costs by replacing expensive aircraft hours with more affordable, focused simulator time. For example, you can master complex procedures without paying for fuel, transit time to a practice area, or weather delays. You can see a detailed flight training simulator cost comparison on our advantages page.
Yes. Our simulators allow for instant repetition and focused practice on specific skills, like instrument approaches or emergency procedures. This learning density is much higher than in an aircraft, where time is spent on ground taxiing or flying to practice areas. This is a big part of how we build the simulator into every program, and it helps you get proficient faster.
Maintaining instrument currency in an aircraft can be costly due to rental fees, fuel, and instructor time. With our FAA-approved simulator, you can log the approaches, holds and course tracking you need at a fraction of the cost, on your own schedule, and without weather concerns. Explore the advantages of simulator training for pilots to see how much you can save.
Maryland weather can cause real delays, with over 110 days of precipitation a year. At many schools that means cancelled lessons, broken momentum and months added to your training. We don't cancel lessons: when the weather or an airplane says no, your lesson moves to the simulator or ground instruction. That's a big part of how we help pilots save money on pilot lessons.
It makes your expensive aircraft time more effective. By mastering maneuvers, procedures, and avionics in the simulator first, you spend less time in the airplane practicing and more time demonstrating proficiency. This reduces the total number of aircraft hours needed, which is the biggest factor in the overall cost of a private pilot license.

Youth Discovery Session

A fun and educational simulator experience for young aviation enthusiasts curious about flying.
Typically ages 10 to 17, but anyone interested in learning about flight is welcome.
Students learn basic flight controls, take off, navigate a short route, and land, all guided by an instructor.
Completely. The whole session happens in our flight simulator, so it feels real with none of the risk, and an instructor guides every step.

The Simulator

We use our custom-built SG-2, FAA-approved as an Advanced Aviation Training Device (SG-2A) and a Basic Aviation Training Device (SG-2B). It has wraparound visuals, authentic controls and a wide range of cockpit configurations, from analog gauges to glass panels like the G1000. You can see our full list of panels on the simulator page.
Yes. We have many FAA-approved panel configurations, from classic steam gauges to glass cockpits like the Garmin G1000 and G5 with a range of GPS units, so you can practice on G5 displays before you fly our Cessna 172s. We can also build custom panels to closely match your own or a rental aircraft, and FAA credit applies only to our approved configurations. You can see our full list of panels here.
Our simulator is designed for immersion. It features force-feedback controls that replicate the feel of the aircraft, stunning 4K wraparound visuals for situational awareness, and full integration with EFB apps like ForeFlight on your iPad. You can learn more about our simulator technology on our page.
Yes. After a simulator checkout with one of our instructors, you can book solo practice sessions.
Yes. Our simulator is FAA-approved as an Advanced Aviation Training Device (AATD), which lets you log certain flight experience, including the approaches, holds and course tracking for instrument currency. You can review our FAA Letter of Approval (LOA) on our simulators page.
Yes, we do. We offer our SG-series simulators for purchase by flight schools, flying clubs, businesses, or for home use. Pricing varies based on the configuration you need. Please contact us for a sales inquiry.
Simulator training reduces costs by replacing expensive aircraft hours with more affordable, focused simulator time. For example, you can master complex procedures without paying for fuel, transit time to a practice area, or weather delays. You can see a detailed flight training cost comparison on our advantages page.
Yes. Our simulators allow for instant repetition and focused practice on specific skills, like instrument approaches or emergency procedures. This learning density is much higher than in an aircraft, where time is spent on ground taxiing or flying to practice areas. This is a big part of how we build the simulator into every program, and it helps you get proficient faster.
Maintaining instrument currency in an aircraft can be costly due to rental fees, fuel, and instructor time. With our FAA-approved simulator, you can log the approaches, holds and course tracking you need at a fraction of the cost, on your own schedule, and without weather concerns. Explore the advantages of simulator training for pilots to see how much you can save.

Still have a question?

Call or write to our team at Tipton Airport and we'll help with flight lessons, simulator time or scheduling.

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