Flight Training Near
Bowie, Maryland

Just 20 minutes from Bowie, 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 Bowie Pilots Train at Solid Ground Aviation

20 Minutes from Bowie

From Bowie, take MD-197 North to MD-32 West, then MD-175 West to General Aviation Drive. About 20 minutes — shorter than most drives to a decent restaurant in Prince George's County.

40–60% Lower Than Aircraft Costs

Prince George's County aircraft rental averages $180–$250/hr. Our simulator starts at $65/hr. Same FAA credit, same skills, dramatically lower cost.

Weather-Proof Your Training

Maryland storm systems and low IMC ceilings cancel aircraft sessions without warning. Our simulator runs every day of the year — your training schedule is yours, not the weather's.

Airline & Military Instructors

Every session is led by career-level pilots — former Navy aviators, airline captains, and professional CFIIs with tens of thousands of flight hours between them.

Log Hours Toward Your Certificate

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.

Realistic GA Airport Environment

We operate at a real general aviation airport with active aircraft, ATC, and the culture of a working field — not a strip-mall simulator center.

Training Programs

Training Programs for Bowie, MD Pilots

20 minutes from Bowie — FAA-approved simulator training for every stage of your aviation journey.

Not sure which program fits your goals?

Call (410) 705-2250

Our Instructors

Learn From Pilots Who've Done It at the Highest Level

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 Bowie and Prince George's County

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

  • KW00 Freeway Airport 8 mi
  • KFME Tipton Airport (SGA Location) 14 mi
  • KCGS College Park Airport 14 mi
  • KBWI Baltimore/Washington International 18 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 Bowie-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 Bowie?
From Bowie, take MD-197 North to MD-32 West, 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 training center closer to Bowie?
There is no dedicated FAA-certified AATD simulator facility in Bowie or Prince George's County. Solid Ground Aviation at Tipton Airport is the closest option at approximately 20 minutes.
How much does training cost?
Simulator rental is $65/hr and instruction is $60/hr — $125/hr combined for most programs. The New Pilot Accelerator is a flat $460 package. No hidden fees.
Can I log FAA simulator hours from here?
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 slots available?
Yes — open 7 AM to 10 PM, 7 days a week. Bowie residents can easily fit a session in before dinner on a weeknight.
Do you offer Youth sessions?
Yes — our Youth Discovery Session is a 1.5-hour hands-on intro for teens, ideal for Bowie-area families exploring aviation as a career or hobby.
Can I use the simulator to build toward my instrument rating without leaving the ground?
Yes. Up to 20 hours of your instrument rating requirement can be logged in our FAA-approved AATD. That can represent a significant portion of your training and cost savings.

Ready to Fly?

Bowie Pilots: 20 Minutes to Your Next Session

Open 7 AM to 10 PM, 7 days a week. No weather cancellations. No aircraft availability issues. FAA-approved training in Prince George's County's backyard.

Hours

Monday–Sunday, 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM

Base Airport

Tipton Airport (KFME)