worth learning to fly gliders?

Emily wrote:
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.

Obviously it's a matter of taste, but I might turn the question around:
Is it worth learning to fly Cessnas?

I have had a glider rating for 12 years, logged well over 2000 hours,
and hardly ever been tempted to get my SEL. Admittedly, I fly a motor
glider so I've been able to fly from my home base in the SF Bay Area to
the Grand Canyon, the Tetons, Santa Fe and other distant points. But
each flight is interesting from takeoff to landing.

There are no autopilots or other boredom inducing devices. I'm
constantly playing the air currents (even with the engine on), flying
close to stall (in thermals), close to Vne (in strong sink), etc.
Flying so much of the ship's envelope on a constant basis is not only
fun, it enhances pilot performance since you become intimately
acquainted with flight in those regimes seldom visited by power pilots.
All power pilots I know who also are glider rated feel that their
glider experience has made them better power pilots as well.

Turning to your question of clubs and work load, there are a number of
commercial glider operations where, at the end of the flight you say
"Thanks" and walk away with no work to do. Admittedly it's more
expensive than the clubs, but still a lot cheaper than power flying. To
find an operation near you, go to www.ssa.org and click on "Find Where
to Fly" on the
RHS. Or the direct link to that page is

http://www.ssa.org/sport/wheretofly.asp

With all your power experience you should be able to get a glider
rating in just a few days of concentrated work. If you have the
vacation time and a few bucks, make a reservation at a place like Soar
Minden and get your rating. The views of Lake Tahoe and the Sierra
Nevada Mountains, not to mention the generally reliable lift in the
summer will make it a memorable experience. If you have a family, they
can tour the lake and other attractions while you learn to soar.

If you can stand up for what you're willing to do (e.g., instruct) and
not do (e.g., maintenance), then even a club can work. Though I can see
why a club would salivate at getting a CFI (and hopefully a soon to be
CFIG) and an A&P member. Just be firm!

If you need more info, send me a private email and I'd be happy to
help.

Martin