I’ll add a third OMG to the quoted cost estimate for getting an Air Force flight student to solo. What is their mainstream training aircraft, an F-18? Yes, LSA aircraft typically have lower fuel burns than aircraft certified under 14 CFR Part 23, but fuel cost is a minor piece of the overall cost of training through solo. Even a slow learner can solo after 15 hours of instruction. With a conservative cost of $125/hour wet for the plane and $45/hr for instructor time, that is still only $2,550.00. Was the article off by 2 decimal places?