I recently moved into the counrtyside about 1 mile from a very well know gliding club and was keen to give it a try. (Did some in my younger days in the Air Cadets and also instructed on the G109B years ago so not totally new to it.)
I dropped them a mail to get some more details and as above was basically told to come along first thing in the morning, expect to be there all day and *IF* I was very lucky I might get the chance of a flight.
Given that I dont have a great deal of spare time as it is to fly my own powerd aircraft, to give up a whole day for only the *potential* of a flight isint something I'm willing to do which is a great shame.
I had hoped it would be a case of pitching up, paying my money, and doing as much gliding as possible to progress quickly in the sport but obviously thats not the case.
I do understand there is a lot of effort required on the ground but I find it odd that they dont use keen teenagers etc who are willing to push and pull all day long in return for the odd free flight ? I know I would have loved that oppertunity in my younger days.
Perhaps I'll give it a try once i'm retired and have some more spare time !