Why Solid Ground
Why Frederick Pilots Make the Drive to Solid Ground Aviation
No Comparable Facility Closer to Frederick
Frederick Municipal Airport (KFDK) offers solid GA aircraft training — but no dedicated FAA-certified AATD simulator facility. For sim-specific training, Solid Ground Aviation at KFME is the closest credentialed option.
45 Minutes — and Worth Every Minute
The drive down I-270 South to I-370 East to the BW Parkway takes about 45 minutes. One session here logs more FAA-creditable approaches than 3–4 aircraft flights. The math works.
Save Thousands Over Aircraft Training
Frederick-area aircraft rental runs $180–$240/hr. Our simulator is $65/hr with instruction at $60/hr. Over a full instrument rating, Frederick pilots routinely save $4,000–$7,000.
Frederick Valley Weather Won't Cancel Your Session
The Frederick Valley is prone to morning fog, low ceilings, and mountain-driven weather systems that ground aircraft for hours. Our simulators run every day, regardless of conditions.
Airline & Military Instructors
Every session is led by career-level pilots with real professional flight backgrounds — not recently-certificated instructors still building their own hours.
Log FAA-Creditable Hours
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.
Student Reviews
What Pilots Say
About Training Here
Real reviews from student and licensed pilots who train with us at Tipton Airport.
Reviews 
Andrew Dresbach
2 months ago
Best in-person Ground School on the East Coast. If you care about Safety and want to crush the Written Exam, would reccomed these guys. Was able to learn from not one instructor but by four instructors with different Backgrounds in Aviation, This type of teaching makes the knowledge gained by learning from them priceless.
Chris Shields
7 months ago
I highly recommend Todd O’Brien and Solid Ground Aviation for flight instruction. He is the reason I now have my instrument rating after a fairly condensed timeline. Todd is extremely knowledgeable, professional, and experienced. He tailored our Instrument Rating Accelerator lessons to focus on the areas where I needed the most help and explained concepts in multiple ways to make sure I understood everything. His practical use case examples and quick tips/tricks based on experience were outstanding.
aaron shanklin
7 months ago
My son had a simulator session with Todd this past Saturday, he really enjoyed the training session. My son learned new valuable information on planes and flying, I will definitely continue taking my son at Solid Ground Aviation.
Mark De Binder
Edited a year ago
I just started getting involved with flight training and Todd was able to setup the instrument panel to the same plane I have been flying. That saved a lot of time and we were able to get right to training. I never would have guessed all the things I needed to know to solve my problem and by the end of the session was consistently and successfully landing the plane on speed and on centerline.
Shauna Bruno
2 years ago
Had the most exhilarating experience at the end of the year. I was able to get in contact with Todd O’Brien and he set me up with a Discovery Flight. So professional... Marty is patient, kind and extremely knowledgeable. This was a surprise gift that my cousin will never forget. AMAZING is an understatement. For an 1 hour we were able to soar over Baltimore and Annapolis and see some incredible sites.
Jose Rodriguez
2 years ago
I had been looking for a simulator to supplement my flight training. I have already been at SGA three times in the passed week. It has been a game changer for me, it has clarified so many things for me. Todd configures the simulator to the aircraft you fly so it helps because everything is familiar to you. Todd is also right there every step of the way helping with everything your doing. It's impressive that he is a CFI and really knows how to explain what's going on.
Justa Bill
a year ago
SGA's pilot accelerator program is a fantastic introduction to flying! It really helped me prepare for my first flight in a real plane. The transition was almost seamless! I highly recommend the experience if you are thinking of taking flying lessons! Well worth it!
Jeffrey Panko
6 months ago
Went for a mock PPL checkride. My CFI was knowledgeable and the location was clean and comfortable. I would definitely recommend anyone interested in their offerings.
Tim Sudduth
2 years ago
Hands down, the best training I have received for IFR. The training scenarios were practical, direct and efficient. I flew more approaches and scenarios in an hour and a half than I could have in 4 plus hours at a fraction of the cost. I am a private pilot getting ready for my IFR Checkride, and I could not be happier with the training.
David Tolson
2 years ago
This is the best IFR sim training I have received in 30 years of flying. The instructor can replay any segment of the flight/approach to provide meaningful feedback and correction. The result is immediate improvement and time saved. Highly recommend...
Tabe Ghislain
2 months ago
Best flight school out there
Cesar Arturo Rengifo Garcia
Edited a year ago
It's the cheapest way to learn to fly, get a rating, or train for a higher-level license, such as a commercial or ATP. Todd has a wealth of experience, is very professional, but above all, he has a strong will and patience to turn weaknesses into strengths.
Jason Levine
2 years ago
Training Programs
Training Programs for Frederick, MD Pilots
45 minutes south on I-270 — FAA-approved simulator training for every level of pilot from first session to instrument rating and career 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 is worth the drive?
Call (410) 705-2250Our Instructors
Instructors Worth Driving 45 Minutes to Learn From
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 From Frederick and Western Maryland
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
- KFDK Frederick Municipal Airport 48 mi
- KGAI Montgomery County Airpark 28 mi
- KW00 Freeway Airport 10 mi
- KFME Tipton Airport (SGA Location) 44 mi
Drive Times to Tipton Airport
New to Flight Training?
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Frequently Asked Questions
Questions From Frederick-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 Frederick?
Is there a closer FAA-certified simulator to Frederick?
Is the 45-minute drive worth it for simulator training?
Can I combine a sim session with other training to make the trip more efficient?
What are the best times to drive to avoid traffic?
How does sim training at KFME help me fly out of KFDK?
Does Frederick's mountain and valley weather affect your training?
Ready to Fly?
Frederick Pilots: The Drive Is Worth It
45 minutes on I-270. 90 minutes in the sim. More FAA-creditable approaches than a full aircraft day — at a fraction of the cost. Open 7 AM to 10 PM, 7 days a week.