Picture the headset on, the checklist in your hand, and you walking the preflight around a Cessna before a lesson. That scene is now part of training here at Solid Ground Aviation. Our fleet now includes a Cessna 172M, tail number N9961V, and we are offering aircraft-based Private Pilot, Instrument Rating, and Commercial Pilot programs next to our FAA-approved simulator training in Fort Meade, Maryland.

If you are deciding where to train, this widens your options. You can build one plan that uses the simulator for repeatable practice and the airplane for the flying only an airplane can teach. Here is what is new, what an hour costs, and how to get started.

Meet N9961V, the Cessna 172M now in our fleet

The Cessna 172 is a familiar training airplane, and N9961V is the one you will fly with us. You can see it, along with its rates, on our fleet page, where we will add more aircraft details over time.

Two numbers shape most budgets. Aircraft rental is $185 per hour, and flight instruction is $70 per hour. Those rates cover the aircraft and your instructor, so ground study and testing sit on top of them. We break that down in the cost section below.

Your lessons are led by experienced instructors, including founder and chief instructor Todd O’Brien, a CFI, CFII, MEI, and ATP. You can meet the team on our team page.

Three aircraft programs, one clear path from first lesson to commercial

Many pilots follow the same sequence: a private pilot certificate first, an instrument rating next, then a commercial pilot certificate. It is a common path, and each program on our site also stands on its own. Each one pairs aircraft lessons with the preparation you need for the FAA practical test, the checkride.

Program	Who it fits	What the airplane adds
Private Pilot License	New students who want to fly on their own	Takeoffs, landings, solo flight, and cross-country navigation in a real airplane
Instrument Rating	Private pilots who want to fly in clouds and low visibility	Instrument approaches, holds, and en route navigation in actual flight
Commercial Pilot License	Pilots building toward flying professionally	Precision maneuvers and advanced operations flown to commercial standards

Here is what each step means for you.

Private pilot. A private pilot certificate lets you fly noncommercially, including carrying passengers, within your ratings and the operating rules. Under Part 61, the FAA sets a minimum of 40 hours of flight time for an airplane applicant, and most students need more, so plan around your own progress rather than the minimum. You need a student pilot certificate before you fly solo, not to take your first lessons. Your instructor endorses you for solo flight and prepares you for the checkride when your skills are ready. Our private pilot cost breakdown shows how to budget each line.

Instrument rating. An instrument rating is added to your pilot certificate. It lets you fly under instrument flight rules, subject to your aircraft’s equipment, your currency, and the operating rules. It is the rating that turns a cloudy forecast from a cancelled lesson into a useful training day.

Commercial pilot. A commercial pilot certificate allows certain flying for compensation, but it does not qualify you for every paid flying job by itself. It is the step where precision and professionalism matter most. Commercial flying jobs can also depend on additional ratings, company training, and experience. If a flying career is your goal, you can talk with us about how this certificate fits the roles you want and which steps come next.

What an hour in the airplane costs, and what it does not

Start with the math you can do today. At $185 for the aircraft and $70 for the instructor, one hour of dual flight is $255. That is the number to put in the first line of your spreadsheet.

That figure covers the aircraft and the instructor only. Total training cost depends on how many hours you fly, how prepared you arrive, and costs such as ground instruction, testing, and supplies. FAA minimum hours are a floor, so use them as a starting point for your plan and expect your own finish line to vary.

This is also the right moment to think about how you will pay for training. Whether you are self-funding or exploring financing, the best move is to see the full picture before your first lesson. Contact us and we will walk through the costs with you, one line at a time. If you are comparing a faster plan against a slower one, our post on getting your private pilot certificate faster and cheaper in 2026 is a good companion read.

How our simulator makes every airplane lesson count

The airplane is the most expensive hour in your plan, so we want every one of them to teach you something new. That is where our FAA-approved SG-2 simulator comes in. In the simulator you can repeat the same approach, the same radio call, or the same emergency until it feels calm, with no weather delay and no waiting for the airplane to be free.

Then you carry that preparation into the aircraft. A lesson that begins with a familiar procedure leaves more time for the new skill, which is the idea behind our Private Pilot Accelerator and Instrument Rating Accelerator programs.

Depending on the rating and the device, some simulator time can count toward FAA requirements. How much counts depends on the certificate, the rating, the device approval, and how the session is used, so we help you plan that before you book. You can read more about the device on our simulator page.

Four steps to your first aircraft lesson

You do not need to figure this out alone. Here is the order we suggest.

1. Pick your starting point. Choose the Private Pilot License, Instrument Rating, or Commercial Pilot License program that matches where you are today.
2. Look at the numbers. Use the $255 dual-hour figure and your own schedule to sketch how often you want to fly.
3. Add the simulator. Decide whether to start with simulator sessions so your first airplane lessons go further.
4. Talk with an instructor. Contact us and we will help you map your plan and confirm current availability.

Questions students ask about training in our aircraft

What aircraft do you train in?

Our fleet now includes a Cessna 172M, tail number N9961V. You can see it on our fleet page.

How much does it cost to fly with you?

Aircraft rental is $185 per hour and flight instruction is $70 per hour, which makes one hour of dual flight $255. Your total depends on your hours and other training costs, so we help you build an estimate through our flight training programs.

Can I earn an instrument rating or a commercial certificate with you?

Yes. Our Instrument Rating and Commercial Pilot License programs are available alongside the private pilot program.

How do I check availability?

Contact us and we will confirm current availability and talk through your schedule. Our contact page is the fastest way to reach the team.

How should I think about checkride preparation?

The checkride is the FAA practical test at the end of a certificate or rating. Our guide to the importance of the FAA checkride explains what to expect, and your instructor will prepare you for it throughout your training.

Ready to schedule your first lesson?

The aircraft is ready, the programs are open, and the simulator is there to help you prepare. Pick the program that fits your goal, then contact us to talk through your first lesson and your plan: Contact Solid Ground Aviation.