"Matt Whiting" wrote in message
...
And where did that rising heated air come from? If you were flying in a
straight line, then you likely aren't netting any gain from thermals as
you also are flying through the corresponding downdrafts.

In fact, he was missing his opportunity. As has been discussed here before,
in rising air the right thing to do is slow down and let it carry you up.
Then you dive as you fly through the descending air you're sure to find
(which you mention).

He can either take the assistance as fuel savings, or trade that for a
higher power setting that will get him to his destination faster. But by
diving in the updrafts, he's throwing away any possible savings, and
probably comes out behind when he has to slow down to maintain altitude in
the downdrafts.

Pete