Well, so far, so good, all things considered… Fossett has passed Hawaii and is now en route to the California coast. The BBC story shows that he got what he wanted from the wind:

Mission organisers said Mr Fossett had been helped across the Pacific from the coast of Japan by strong tailwinds of between 100 and 130 knots, bringing the circumnavigation record back within his grasp.

Mr Fossett said: "I hit the jet stream very well which has put us in a better fuel position. I have every hope of making it to Salina tomorrow."

Wind speeds of 100-130 knots far exceed the 58 knots he was hoping for, so it’s a good sign that he may yet complete the full global flight tomorrow… Stay tuned!