Flight Training Near
Odenton, Maryland

Just 10 minutes from Odenton, 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 Odenton Pilots Choose Solid Ground Aviation

10 Minutes — Practically Next Door

From Odenton, take MD-175 West just a few miles to General Aviation Drive. Tipton Airport is your neighbor — the shortest drive to pro sim training in the state.

Best Value Between Baltimore and D.C.

At $65/hr simulator and $60/hr instruction, we offer airline-quality training at general aviation prices. No other FAA-certified sim facility in the region comes close.

Train Rain or Shine

Our simulators run every day regardless of weather. Living minutes away means you can maximize your training frequency without long commutes or weather-cancelled sessions.

Military-Grade Instructors

Living near Fort Meade, you appreciate real credentials. Our team includes former Navy aviators, FedEx captains, and career CFIIs with actual professional flight experience.

FAA Credit That Counts

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.

Custom-Built Simulators

The SG-2 was designed and manufactured in-house by Solid Ground Aviation. It's configurable to the exact aircraft you fly for maximum real-world transfer.

Training Programs

Training Programs for Odenton Pilots

The closest FAA-approved simulator training facility to Odenton — every program from first session to instrument rating, IPC, and career prep.

Questions about which program is right for you?

Call (410) 705-2250

Our Instructors

Instructors With Verifiable Professional 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 Odenton and the Fort Meade Community

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

  • KFME Tipton Airport (SGA Location) 4 mi
  • KANP Lee Airport 14 mi
  • KW00 Freeway Airport 10 mi
  • KBWI Baltimore/Washington International 10 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 Odenton-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 Odenton?
From Odenton, take MD-175 West approximately 4 miles directly to General Aviation Drive at Tipton Airport. No turns needed — the drive takes about 10 minutes.
Is the facility accessible for active-duty military from Fort Meade?
Yes. Our facility at Tipton Airport is on the Fort Meade installation — convenient for active-duty personnel. Civilian access is available via the General Aviation Drive gate.
Does being so close mean same-day scheduling is possible?
Often, yes. Because you're just minutes away, you can frequently get same-day appointments — especially for instrument currency sessions which don't always require pre-planning.
How much does it cost?
Simulator rental is $65/hr and instruction is $60/hr — $125/hr combined for most programs. The New Pilot Accelerator is $460 flat. No hidden fees.
What certificates and ratings can I work toward here?
You can use our simulator to log hours toward a Private Pilot License, Instrument Rating, and Commercial Pilot Certificate. We also offer training for instrument currency, CFI/CFII prep, jet transition, and more.
Do you have programs for military pilots transitioning to civilian aviation?
Yes. Our Jet Transition program and CFI/CFII Accelerator are well-suited for military aviators transitioning to civilian certificates or building toward airline careers. Our instructors include former military pilots who understand that background.
Are sessions available outside normal business hours?
Yes — open 7 AM to 10 PM, 7 days a week. Living 10 minutes away means you can knock out an evening session and be home before 8 PM.

Ready to Fly?

Odenton Pilots: Your Sim Is Practically Next Door

10 minutes on MD-175. Open 7 AM to 10 PM, 7 days. No weather holds, no long commutes — just the closest FAA-approved sim training in Maryland.

Hours

Monday–Sunday, 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM

Base Airport

Tipton Airport (KFME)