G'Day Chris , I've read your posts in the recent few weeks with interest, you have farm near Bathurst,? Well my family have been Graziers and wheat farmers, as well. One reason I learnt to fly trikes, was because it would be handy around the property. Now as far as Thermalling goes, I'm no expert , by any means but, I have had a fair amount of experience with them over the years ( Oh ! how reflecting makes you feel old, somehow. ) I spent about 5 years flying Gliders, before moving on to Hang gliders, approx 10yrs, and thermalling as youd'e expect is a large part of Mastering each, out here , Inland pilots that is. Chris I find, and my co-horts, that flying on real hot days when the air is very thin and less boyant, that a ride on a thermal or two really helps to A: save feul and B: reach that cool air much faster. Just straight and level flight on these Booming days, as we get out here in Summer , you run the risk of inverting when passing thru the edge of one. So we've learnt to relax and use them, not all the time, but I like to practice it occasionally . The best way to avoid neg G's is not to fall out of them, easier said than done !! . And you Are welcome to drop in sometime to. Cheers Lance......