Flight Training Near
Annapolis, Maryland

Just 20 minutes from Annapolis, learn to fly in our Cessna 172s with the simulator built into every program, and keep training when the weather turns.

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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.

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.

Not sure which program fits your goals?

Call (410) 705-2250

Our 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.

Meet the Full Team
Todd O'Brien, Founder, Chief Instructor at Solid Ground Aviation

Todd O'Brien

Founder, Chief Instructor
CFICFIIMEIATP

Todd 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, Instructor at Solid Ground Aviation

Marty Sacks

Instructor
CFICFII

Marty 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, Instructor at Solid Ground Aviation

Todd Breese

Instructor
CFICFIIMEIATP

Todd 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, Instructor at Solid Ground Aviation

Mike Allen

Instructor
CFICFII

Mike 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, Instructor at Solid Ground Aviation

Jeff Barnett

Instructor
CFICFIIMEIATPFE

Jeff 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
Flight Training Guide Ebook

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.

Call Us
How do I get to Solid Ground Aviation from Annapolis?
From Annapolis, take US-50 West to MD-32 North, then MD-175 West to General Aviation Drive, Fort Meade. The drive is approximately 20 minutes with no toll roads required.
Is there a flight simulator closer to Annapolis than KFME?
Lee Airport (KANP) in Annapolis offers some flight training, but no dedicated FAA-certified AATD. Solid Ground Aviation at Tipton Airport is the closest facility offering logged, FAA-credit simulator training in the region.
Does Bay area weather affect your simulator availability?
Not at all. Unlike aircraft training, our simulators run rain or shine, fog or clear skies. Chesapeake weather that cancels aircraft flights has zero effect on your training schedule.
How much does simulator training cost?
Simulator rental is $65/hr and instruction is $60/hr. Most programs are $125/hr combined. The New Pilot Accelerator is a flat $460 package — no hidden fees.
How many hours can I log in the simulator for my FAA certificate?
Yes. Our FAA-approved SG-2 AATD allows you to log 2.5 hours toward a Private Pilot Certificate, up to 20 hours toward an Instrument Rating, and up to 50 hours toward a Commercial Pilot Certificate under Part 61.
Are evening and weekend sessions available?
Yes — open 7 AM to 10 PM, 7 days a week. Ideal for Annapolis professionals and Naval Academy personnel who need training around a demanding schedule.
Do you train naval and military pilots?
Absolutely. We have significant experience working with active-duty and transitioning military aviators. Our instructors include former Navy and military pilots who understand your background and training needs.

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.

Hours

Monday–Sunday, 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM

Base Airport

Tipton Airport (KFME)