Microlight flies over Mt Everest

Richard Meredith-Hardy, a 46-year old Etonian Englishman, Richard Meredith-Hardy has become the first man to fly a microlight over the highest peak of the world Mt. Everest.


Hardy fulfilled his dream on May 24, 2004 around 8:15 AM Nepali time and waved to a "shed load of climbers" standing on top of the highest peak of the world and began circling to take photos to confirm his achievement of a ten year dream to be the first man to fly a microlight over Everest.


Richard had been towing an Italian hang glider pilot, Angelo also aiming to fly over Everest, but there had been a tow-line break at 27,000 feet after climbing in front of the Lhotse Face, and Richard lost sight of Angelo, who fell away, still attached to a piece of line, and was not seen by Richard again (it was later confirmed that Angelo landed safely next to the Italian Himalayan weather centre in Lobuche).


Richard climbed another 3,000 feet, crossing an area full of potentially deadly down drafts, some as fierce as 3,000 feet/min, before circling joyfully over the summit and taking numerous photos.


Richard flew back to his base at 12,500 feet, 15 miles from the summit, and landed safely. Richard and Angelo had been in Nepal a month, after a year of preparation, for the fourth attempt at Everest by microlight. Three previous attempts, had all failed the last by just 1,500 feet.



Angelo, an Italian hang glider expert who specializes in flying with eagles, tracing migration routes, had aimed to be the first man to fly a hang glider over the highest mountain in the world.


They had suitable equipment, including oxygen and cold weather gear, and
Richard was able to power his heated suit from the Rotax 912 turbo engine which drove his English-built Pegasus XL-S.