RICHARD MEREDITH-HARDY is a British extreme microlight pilot. He has been flying microlights since 1984, was twice World Microlight Champion and has held a variety of speed records. Notable flights undertaken by Richard include the first flight over Mount Everest in a microlight craft and a 12,500-mile journey from London to Harare in Zimbabwe – a flight not that much shorter than the one to Australia. In 2001, Richard was awarded the Gold Medal by the Royal Aero Club of the UK.