The eye of a cyclone is the feature that most readily defines it as essentially the most powerful of all storms.

The whole ‘Inverted’ Ring Vortex, that forms the cyclone’s Eye, has negative buoyancy but can only retain its form and power whilst it remains over an essentially horizontal surface or ground plain barrier (GPB), most commonly the open ocean. Basically, the same conditions must be maintained in developing the MACE Aircraft.

The air pressure within a cyclone’s eye can drop by as much as 14%, although 40mb-60mb is closer to the average. 14% translates to ~140mb and a potential lifting force of 1.4tonne/m2. In developing the MACE Aircraft, a 100mb drop in core pressure is taken as a goal that’s potentially achievable.