Killer updrafts...
 

In my limited flying experience, I haven't seen/felt anything like
this story..Have you?
http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/...405413696.html

I had heard once that someone in a C172 got underneath a developing
T-storm and got sucked up to something like 11,000ft before it let him go. I don't remember where I heard this but, he had the nose full forward, power at idle, and it did not stop his climb.

Sounds like one of the storms that I used to work weather modification on in western Kansas...sometimes the only way to maintain altitude is to put the gear down, power to idle, and increase the distance from the storm.

I have heard of some F-16 going into a T-Storm at 10,000' and getting spit out the top. Dont know how true it is, I have heard it somewhere

Where as in an airplane you try to avoid this type of weather, this is what you go seeking for in a glider.

The most I have seen is about 900FPM up from a good thermal on an unstable summer day before a thunderstorm. 20m/s is more than 4 times that much!

I know someone who flies a twin otter for smoke jumpers... says that there are many times around fires where you'll be power to idle in a 2,000 minute climb or full power in a similiar descent... although in her case it's the descents that get you!