The difference between power planes and gliders is similar to the difference
between having a small motorboat vs. a similarly sized sailboat on a lake.
After two or three laps in the motorboat, the fun is gone. You can go
sailing for years.

Others have pointed out the pluses and minuses of a commercial vs. club
operation. In addition to limiting the amount of personal time invested, a
commercial operation usually gives you the option to fly during the week
(most clubs are primarily weekend operations), making it possible to get
your rating in a much shorter period of time than thru a club using
volunteer instructors.

On the other hand, a lot of the fun of soaring is hanging out at the field
in a club environment and helping out with launching / retrieving gliders,
etc..... Another option, if you have sufficient hours, is to help out by
acting as a tow pilot.

Mike Schumann

"Emily" wrote in message
. ..
Haven't actually flown VFR much for years, except while instructing. I
really only fly to go somewhere, but have been toying with the idea of a
glider rating for a while. Is it worth it? The glider clubs I've talked
to find out I'm an A&P and want me to maintain their aircraft, something
I'm not willing to do. Are clubs the only way to fly gliders? I kind of
just want to do my lesson and go home, and not worry about "working" at
the airfield.