Fossett soaring over China

American adventurer Steve Fossett is starting a five-hour pass over China, hoping to pick up a strong tailwind as jet stream conditions improve over that nation a bit.

Piloting the Virgin Atlantic GlobalFlyer, Fossett is soaring along at an altitude of 46,735 feet, or almost 2,000 feet above his normal cruising altitude, in a move meant to help compensate for a four-percent loss of fuel. His speed is about 322 knots.

Fossett had planned to take-off on his planned 26,160-mile journey in late January but Chinese government officials closed bureau offices for a n ational Chinese New Year's holiday period without issuing necessary overflight permits. The permits finally were granted earlier this week.

Project officials report that cockpit temperatures have dropped to a more comfortable 80 degrees Fahrenheit. They had risen above 130 degrees due to a ventilation system problem earlier in the flight. The extreme heat has caused Fossett to drink a significant amount of the 10 liters of water onboard the experimental aircraft.