Fossett go for 2nd takeoff try

The pre-dawn preparations for Steve Fossett's takeoff are underway. Technicians are crawling all over the GlobalFlyer aircraft, which is being fueled. Similar to yesterday, a few dozen reporters are gathered along with government officials.

The National Aeronautics Association is on hand, to seal the cockpit and the fuel tanks so they can verify that Fossett indeed leaves in the airplane and stays in it for the entire flight. The NAA's job is to verify that the records Fossett is trying to set are indeed. They also are timing the exact takeoff, so they can record how long the mission takes.

Winds are between 7 and 10 knots, blowing the opposite direction that Fossett's plane will be rolling down the runway. The air on the runway is cold. So weather conditions are perfect for a takeoff this morning sometime just before 7 a.m.