Flight Training Near
Baltimore, Maryland

Just 25 minutes from downtown Baltimore, 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 Baltimore Pilots Train at Solid Ground Aviation

Our Fleet of Cessna 172s

Fly our Cessna 172s with G5 instruments and Garmin GPS, from the same building at Tipton Airport as our simulator. Your airplane, your simulator and your instructor are in one place.

25 Minutes From Baltimore

From the Inner Harbor, take I-97 South to MD-100 West and you're at Tipton Airport in under 30 minutes. Less time commuting, more time flying.

Chesapeake Bay Weather Won't Cancel Your Lesson

The Bay brings fog, low ceilings and coastal weather that ground a lot of training flights. We don't cancel lessons: when the weather or an airplane says no, your lesson moves to the simulator or ground instruction.

Airplane Money Where It Counts

Our FAA-approved simulator starts at $65/hr, and our Cessna 172s are $185/hr with instruction at $70/hr. We move the repeatable work into the simulator, so you spend airplane money on what only an airplane can teach.

Airline & Military Instructors

Learn from instructors with airline, military, corporate and decades of teaching experience, led by our founder and chief instructor, an airline pilot and ATP.

An FAA-Approved Simulator We Built

We designed and built the SG-2 ourselves and can set it up to match the aircraft you fly. Depending on the rating and the device, some simulator time can count toward FAA requirements when you train with an authorized instructor.

Training Programs

Training Programs Available to Baltimore Pilots

Drive 25 minutes from Baltimore for every step of your flying, from a first lesson in a Cessna 172 to jet interview prep, with the simulator built into each program.

New Pilot

Private Pilot License

Learn to fly in our Cessna 172s, with the simulator built in so every airplane hour goes further.

Investment

$185/hr aircraft + $70/hr instruction

Student

Instrument Rating

Fly approaches in the Cessna 172 and repeat them in the simulator until they feel routine.

Investment

$185/hr aircraft + $70/hr instruction

Career

Commercial Pilot License

Build the precision a flying job asks for, in the airplane and the simulator.

Investment

$185/hr aircraft + $70/hr instruction

New Pilot

New Pilot Accelerator

Learn the basics in the simulator so your first airplane lessons start ahead.

Investment

$125/hr

Student

Private Pilot Accelerator

Sharpen your PPL skills in the simulator so your airplane hours go further.

Investment

$125/hr

Licensed

Instrument Rating Accelerator

Build instrument skills in our FAA-approved simulator, where some time can count toward your rating with an authorized instructor.

Investment

$125/hr

Licensed

Rusty Pilot Refresh

Get current again with FAA WINGS credit, on your schedule and in any weather.

Investment

$125/hr

Licensed

IPC Accelerator

Prepare for your Instrument Proficiency Check in the simulator with an experienced CFII.

Investment

$125/hr

Licensed

IMC Emergencies

Practice IFR emergency scenarios in realistic, repeatable, and completely safe conditions.

Investment

$172 (1.5 hrs)

Career

Jet Transition / Interview Prep

Prepare for jet interviews and simulator evaluations with jet-profile training.

Investment

$125/hr

Youth

Youth Discovery Session

A 1.5-hour intro for teens and parents exploring aviation careers, with mentoring included.

Investment

$99/session

Licensed

Instrument Currency

Log the approaches and holds you need for currency in our FAA-approved simulator.

Investment

$65/hr

Career

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) 705-2250

Our Instructors

Learn From Airline, Military and Career Instructors

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

Convenient for Pilots Across the Baltimore Region

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

  • KBWI Baltimore/Washington International 8 mi
  • KMTN Martin State Airport 20 mi
  • W00 Freeway Airport 10 mi
  • KCGS College Park Airport 16 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 Baltimore-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 Baltimore?
From downtown Baltimore, take I-97 South to Exit 7 (MD-100 West), then follow MD-175 West to General Aviation Drive. Total drive time is approximately 25 minutes, and free parking is available at the facility.
Do you train in airplanes or only in simulators?
Both. We're a Flight Training Center with our fleet of Cessna 172s, with G5 instruments and Garmin GPS, and the simulator is built into every program. Private Pilot, Instrument Rating and Commercial Pilot training all happen at Tipton Airport, 25 minutes from Baltimore.
Do I need a pilot certificate to train here?
No certificate required. We welcome everyone from complete beginners to ATP-level pilots. If you've never flown, start with a Discovery Session or our Private Pilot License program.
How much does training cost?
Our Cessna 172s are $185/hour and instruction is $70/hour, so one hour of dual flight is $255 before ground instruction, testing and supplies. Simulator time starts at $65/hour, and most simulator programs are $125/hour with an instructor.
Will bad weather cancel my lesson?
We don't cancel lessons. When Bay fog or low ceilings keep the airplane on the ground, your lesson moves to the simulator or ground instruction, so your training keeps moving.
Are sessions available on weekends and evenings?
Yes, we're open 7 days a week, 7 AM to 10 PM. That works well for Baltimore professionals who can't train during standard business hours.
Can simulator time count toward my FAA certificate?
Depending on the rating and the device, some simulator time can count toward FAA requirements when you train with an authorized instructor in our FAA-approved SG-2. Tell us which certificate or rating you're working on and we'll show you how it applies.
Can Baltimore-based CFIs bring their students to your simulator?
Absolutely. Many local CFIs use our simulator alongside their aircraft training. Your instructor can come with you, or you can train with one of our team.

Ready to Fly?

Your Flight School Is 25 Minutes From Baltimore

Open 7 AM to 10 PM, 7 days a week. Your flight school has a weather problem. Solid Ground doesn't. Book a Discovery Session and meet our team at Tipton Airport.

Hours

Monday–Sunday, 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM

Base Airport

Tipton Airport (KFME)