For any given floor area, the triangle provides the most stable base and longest sides. The three 60 degree angles provide maximum floor space for pilot and passengers while storing the fuel cylinders, hoses and instruments safely out of the way in the recessed corners. The ingenuity evident in its construction is unsurpassed. The 9-ply birch hardwood floor is actually cradled in a net of six aircraft ropes certified to lift 18,000 pounds. The wicker carriage is woven with a tight, vertical weave, well suited to resisting entanglement in branches or powerlines.
Horizontal weaves can easily snag.
A finishing urethane coating inside and out ensures the wicker will resist drying out and becoming brittle or rotting from prolonged exposure to moisture. This maintains the wickers ability to flex, absorbing and distributing any bumps during landings. The engineers at The BalloonWorks, balloonists amongst them, developed a set of criteria by which they would design their burner system. Burner Output - To increase flight safety margins, the absolute burner output must be extremely high. The flame must be efficient and clean burning, giving off a minimum of soot and radiant heat.