Why Solid Ground
Why Annapolis Pilots Choose Solid Ground Aviation
20 Minutes from Annapolis
From downtown Annapolis, take US-50 West to MD-32 North — you're at Tipton Airport in 20 minutes. Closer than many local flight schools.
Bay Weather Can't Stop Your Training
Chesapeake Bay fog and coastal weather systems ground Annapolis-area aircraft regularly. Our simulators operate rain, fog, or IFR conditions — every day, all year.
FAA Credit Toward Your Certificate
Log 2.5 hours toward your Private Pilot certificate, up to 20 hours toward an Instrument Rating, and up to 50 hours toward a Commercial Pilot certificate on our FAA-approved SG-2 AATD.
Airline & Military Instructors
Every session is led by pilots with real-world time in military cockpits or commercial flight decks — career aviators, not just recently-certificated instructors.
Dramatically Lower Cost
At $65/hr for the simulator and $60/hr for instruction, you get airline-quality training at a fraction of what aircraft-based instruction costs in Anne Arundel County.
Configured to Your Aircraft
The SG-2 can be set up to replicate the exact panel of the Cessna 172 or Piper PA-28 you fly — so every sim hour translates directly to your real aircraft.
Student Reviews
What Pilots Say
About Training Here
Real reviews from student and licensed pilots who train with us at Tipton Airport.
Training Programs
Training Programs for Annapolis-Area Pilots
20 minutes from Annapolis, every level of FAA-approved simulator training — from your very first session to IPC and airline interview prep.
New Pilot Accelerator
Take your first steps in a safe, structured environment before ever entering a real aircraft.
Investment
$125/hr
Private Pilot Accelerator
Supplement your PPL training and cut expensive aircraft rental hours significantly.
Investment
$125/hr
Instrument Rating Accelerator
Log up to 20 FAA-creditable hours toward your Instrument Rating on our approved AATD.
Investment
$125/hr
Rusty Pilot Refresh
Get current again with FAA WINGS credit — no aircraft rental or weather delays.
Investment
$125/hr
IPC Accelerator
Renew your Instrument Proficiency Check efficiently in the sim with an experienced CFII.
Investment
$125/hr
IMC Emergencies
Practice IFR emergency scenarios in realistic, repeatable, and completely safe conditions.
Investment
$172 (1.5 hrs)
Jet Transition / Interview Prep
Prepare for your first airline job with simulator-based interview and jet-profile training.
Investment
$125/hr
Youth Discovery Session
A 1.5-hour intro for teens and parents exploring aviation careers — mentoring included.
Investment
$99/session
Instrument Currency
Stay legally current on instruments at the most accessible rate in the region.
Investment
$65/hr
CFI/CFII Accelerator
Prepare to pass the checkride and become an instructor people can actually learn from.
Investment
$125/hr
Not sure which program fits your goals?
Call (410) 705-2250Our Instructors
Instructors With Real-World Flight Experience
Our certificated flight instructors bring airline, Navy, Civil Air Patrol and decades of teaching experience to every lesson, with the simulator built into how they teach.

Todd O'Brien
Founder, Chief InstructorTodd loves aviation and has been flying since 2007. In nearly 5,000 hours of flight time he has flown a wide variety of general aviation, military and corporate aircraft, and he currently flies for a major airline when he is not instructing at Solid Ground Aviation. He has landed in over 60 countries in nearly every weather condition imaginable. His passion for flight instruction led him to found Solid Ground Aviation, now a Flight Training Center at Tipton Airport, to share that experience with pilots of all experience levels.

Marty Sacks
InstructorMarty loves teaching aviation. His more than 40 years of flying began with his father, when he first caught the flying bug. After years of flying on his own, he developed a passion for flight instruction and has been teaching ever since. Marty devotes much of his time and instruction to the Civil Air Patrol, where he gets to fly state-of-the-art avionics, and he is no stranger to the variety of equipment in the general aviation fleet.

Todd Breese
InstructorTodd has been flying professionally for over 41 years. He started his career as an active duty Naval aviator, flying and instructing in the S-3 Viking, T-2 Buckeye and C-130 Hercules, and held numerous duty assignments, including chief evaluator and commander of two Navy squadrons. After retiring from the Navy, Todd flew as an international captain and test pilot for FedEx on the Airbus A300. Since retiring, he has returned to general aviation, bringing a wealth of experience and a passion for teaching.

Mike Allen
InstructorMike started his flying career in gliders in England over 60 years ago. After moving to the U.S. and converting his UK licenses to FAA ones, he began a long career of flight instruction in all kinds of light aircraft, including his favorite J-3 Cub, and has given an impressive 7,000 hours of flight instruction. When he is not teaching the next generation of aviators, Mike enjoys flying Angel Flights for patients who need transportation.

Jeff Barnett
InstructorJeff brings a variety of experience as a professional flight instructor and former charter and airline pilot. After nearly a decade of instructing, he spent time flying Learjets and turboprop commuter aircraft for USAir Express. He then returned to flight instruction and has since passed 4,000 hours of instruction given. He especially enjoys teaching instrument students in a variety of avionics, and when he is not teaching, Jeff takes his Cessna 182 on family trips all over the country.
Service Area
Serving Pilots Across Anne Arundel County and Beyond
Within 50 miles of our Flight Training Center at Tipton Airport, you can fly our Cessna 172s and train in our FAA-approved simulator without a long drive.
Nearby Airports
- KANP Lee Airport 6 mi
- KBWI Baltimore/Washington International 8 mi
- KFME Tipton Airport (SGA Location) 18 mi
- KW00 Freeway Airport 12 mi
New to Flight Training?
Get 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions From Annapolis-Area Pilots
Have a question that isn't answered here? Give us a call and our team will be happy to help.
How do I get to Solid Ground Aviation from Annapolis?
Is there a flight simulator closer to Annapolis than KFME?
Does Bay area weather affect your simulator availability?
How much does simulator training cost?
How many hours can I log in the simulator for my FAA certificate?
Are evening and weekend sessions available?
Do you train naval and military pilots?
Ready to Fly?
Annapolis Pilots: 20 Minutes to Your Next Session
Open 7 AM to 10 PM, 7 days a week. Chesapeake weather won't cancel your session. FAA-approved sim training closer than you think.