SWINDON-BORN explorer David Hempleman-Adams hopes to fly into the record books next month . . . but only if he can get the engine going.

The 47-year-old plans to pilot a single-engined plane from the most northern point of the American continents to the most southern point.

But so far the daredevil has been plagued with technical problems.

And Mr Hempleman-Adams, who has a string of impressive record-attempts to his name, says that this is easily proving to be the most stressful adventure ever and it hasn't even begun yet.

"The mechanics are currently working hard to fix a number of technical problems with the plane," he said.

"It's immensely frustrating and I don't think I have ever kicked the table so hard before an adventure."

Mr Hempleman-Adams will fly the stripped-down Cessna with four other team members on a dangerous 11,500-mile journey over some of the world's most inhospitable terrain.

The three-week flight from Cape Columbia, in the Arctic Circle, to Cape Horn, in Chile, is expected to push the 29-ft-long aircraft to its limits.

But, not one to shy away from challenges thrown his way, Mr Hempleman-Adams is confident that the mechanics will deliver in time for his planned departure on July 6.

"I am sure that the problems will be solved in time," he said.

As well as engine problems, he and his team have had difficulties seeking permission to enter foreign airspace.

He said: "It's incredibly difficult to persuade these countries to grant entry into their airspace.

"When flying is concerned, 99 per cent of the preparation is out of your control.

"In previous walking adventures I have been able to plan everything myself."

The trip is tipped to be one of the explorer's hardest yet.

With temperatures likely to dip to minus 30C in the Arctic, the con-sequences would be grave for the crew if they were forced to ditch.

No crew member will be able to sleep onboard and they will instead have to snatch a couple of hours under a wing on scheduled refuelling stops.

Earlier Mr Hempleman-Adams had told reporters how he hoped the trip would inspire a new generation of daredevils. He said: "My hope is that it will inspire young people back to the classic spirit of adventure and prove to them that anything is possible."