High Plains, Dihedral definately plays a part in self righting characteristics. I don't see how you can deny this. I have a nexstar. The plane was very difficult to fly inverted with a dihedral wing. It was also a very forgiving plane. I wanted a more aerobatic plane, so I removed the dihedral. It now holds inverted flight much easier than it did. It is also less forgiving and more sensitive. I thought Minnflyer did a very good job of explaining this. From a physics point of view, it just makes sense. I also agree that a new pilot should be able to fly inverted figure eights with a trainer. It takes alot of concentration, increases skill, helps get a new pilot used to different orientations, and can be done. I don't think that minnflyer was saying it couldn't be done. It's just more difficult to do with dihedral.