Ace- Terrific piece! Wonderful writing as well!

Did something similar in a four seat Piper I believe, (like a tiny compact car with wings), somewhere in the "outback", about 45 years ago.

No acrobatics, but the air and "heat updrafts-downdrafts ?" made for some exhilarating moments.

Hadn't thought about that for some time and your experience brought that back to me.