At Solid Ground Aviation, our mission has always been to provide the highest quality flight training by leveraging professional-grade technology. Today, we are thrilled to announce a landmark achievement that enhances this mission: our SG-2 flight simulator has earned an advanced level of certification from the FAA.

This upgrade from its previous Basic Aviation Training Device (BATD) status to an Advanced Aviation Training Device (AATD) is more than just a new piece of paper. It represents a significant increase in capability and value for every student pilot, licensed aviator, and flight instructor who walks through our doors.

This is a game-changer for flight training in the Maryland and D.C. area, and we’re excited to share what it means for you.

What is an AATD and Why Does It Matter?

An Advanced Aviation Training Device (AATD) is a flight simulator that meets a higher standard of realism and fidelity as defined by the FAA. Because it more accurately replicates the flight characteristics and systems of an aircraft, the FAA allows pilots to log significantly more training time in it compared to a BATD.

For our partner CFIs, flight schools, and your students, this means:

• More Loggable Hours: Students can now credit more simulator time toward their certificates and ratings. For example, the allowance for an Instrument Rating increases, potentially doubling the number of hours that can be logged in the sim. This translates into substantial cost savings.
• Expanded Training Scenarios: The AATD certification allows for logging more time toward a Commercial Pilot certificate and other advanced ratings, which was not possible with our previous BATD status.
• Higher Fidelity Training: This certification validates the professional-grade quality of our equipment, assuring you that the training conducted here directly translates to the cockpit.

You can learn more about the technical specifications of our simulator on our updated simulator page.

A New Era for Local Flight Schools and CFIs

We’ve always positioned Solid Ground Aviation as a “collaborative multiplier” for the local aviation community, not a competitor. This new AATD certification deepens that commitment.

Independent CFIs and flight schools can now send their students to our facility to complete a larger portion of their required training, especially for the instrument and commercial ratings. This allows you to:

• Accelerate Student Progress: Overcome weather and maintenance delays by using our simulator.
• Reduce Training Costs: Offer your students a more affordable path to their goals.
• Focus on In-Air Proficiency: Use valuable aircraft time for maneuvers that can only be done in the air, after students have mastered procedures and flows on the ground.

Our Private Pilot Ground School and other programs are now more powerful than ever, integrating this new level of certified training.

Experience the Difference

This certification is a testament to our investment in providing the best possible training tools. It solidifies our position as Maryland’s premier simulator-first training center and opens up new possibilities for efficient, effective, and affordable aviation education.

We invite Chief Flight Instructors, school owners, and independent CFIs to contact us for a personal demonstration of our newly certified AATD. Come see for yourself how incorporating our simulator into your curriculum can benefit your students and your business.

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FAQ for Instructors

1. What specific FAA regulations does the new AATD certification apply to for logging time? Our AATD allows for logging time under 14 CFR § 61.51, with increased allowances for ratings like the Instrument and Commercial Pilot certificate as specified in Part 61. We can provide the full details and a copy of our FAA Letter of Authorization (LOA) upon request.

2. Can my students complete their entire Instrument Proficiency Check (IPC) in the simulator? Yes, an AATD is approved for completing all required tasks for an IPC, making it an incredibly efficient and cost-effective tool for your instrument-rated clients.

3. How do I integrate your simulator into my existing training syllabus? We can work with you to identify the best opportunities to supplement your in-aircraft training. We can provide syllabus integration examples or simply make the simulator available for you to use with your students as you see fit.