MAY 5: Explorer David Hempleman Adams is hoping to set off on his Atlantic balloon challenge at 2am tomorrow, after a week of delays due to bad weather.

He is making a second attempt fly across the ocean from Pittsburgh, USA in an open wicker basket to break the 5,300 mile solo distance record.

If he is successful he will also be the only person to fly solo across the Atlantic in a traditional Roziere balloon.

"It is a waiting game now. We are ready to go but we are waiting for the right weather conditions," he said.

Mr Hempleman Adams has had three possible flying dates in the last week but torrential ran as prevented him from taking flight.

"It is pouring it down with rain. We had a slot last week for Wednesday but then the ground conditions were not right," he said.

Mr Hempleman Adams said he can only take off when it was completely dry so the balloon is not weighted down by moisture.

There also has to be a wind no greater then four knots.

His team have put together a four-day weather forecast but he will not be sure until the last minute if he is flying or not.

"You never quite know what's going to happen," he said.

"But there is an advantage this year because the nights are getting lighter. The first time it was September so we were running out of time.''

All Mr Hempleman Adams' equipment is now ready for take-off and some missing parts have been replaced.

"We are all very pleased. Everything is all in the basket," he said.

"Up to now we have all been very busy so there hasn't been any time to get anxious."

Once Mr Hempleman Adams is up in the air there is one thing he is not looking forward to.

"Sleep deprivation is pretty horrible," he said. "But the best thing is the views. They are wonderful."

Mr Hempleman-Adam's journey should take about a week and if he crosses the Atlantic he will land somewhere in Europe, depending on where the currents take him.

"We only know where it might be two days before I land," he said.

"It could be anywhere between northern Norway and Morocco."