DELBERT DIEHARD
BY Kathleen Winters


Retrieving the Delbert trophy was heavy on my mind recently. When Sep. 27
showed promise we headed to Benson with the 1-26. Jim would give me a tow and
remain there as tow pilot. My job was to fly.

My excitement escalated at the field and I convinced Walt Johnson to fly with
me in the Pilatus - two gliders burning holes in the sky to Stanton airfield.
Mike Finnegan sniffed for thermals and it was clear the day was soarable. I
launched at 1:45, waited for Walt but couldn't raise or see him and had to
head out. After ducking out of the Class B airspace, I gained altitude and
headed toward my landmarks, staying east of the St. Croix River. Areas of weak
lift near Hudson slowed me down. Because the NW wind pushed me east of my
desired course, I frequently corrected to the west. 

After arriving at Hastings, the big blue sky ahead looked ominous. But with
the help of a good thermal enroute and patches of lift I arrived over Stanton
at 4:10, having successfully bucked the crosswind on this last leg. Upon
landing I rushed to the office, grabbed the trophy and furtively stashed it in
my glider cockpit. Les Stordalen informed me that Walt landed near River
Falls, eager to try another cross country flight. The Delbert returned to the
RWSA at Benson awaiting its next challenger………..