Aviation Environmental Design Tool (AEDT) Version 3c

Note that the information on this page is for AEDT 3c. Please visit the AEDT Version 3f page for information on the latest version of AEDT.

AEDT 3c was originally released on March 6, 2020. However, during initial planning for the next version of AEDT, a database discrepancy and related aircraft performance calculation issue were discovered that, in specific circumstances, may affect noise and emissions outcomes. These issues are predominantly related to the use of altitude control codes. However, to ensure that updates are made consistently across all of AEDT functionality, the FAA re-released AEDT 3c (build 140.0.11574.1) as a mandatory technical update on June 19, 2020.

All FAA actions requiring noise, fuel burn or emissions modeling and for which the environmental analysis process has begun on or after March 6, 2020 are required to use this updated version of AEDT 3c (build 140.0.11574.1). Use of the prior AEDT 3c release (build 135.0.11172.1) is not allowed for assessment of any action requiring FAA review, including those initiated between the original March 6, 2020 release and the date of this notice.

Guidance on the version of AEDT to be used is outlined in a memo available with documentation accompanying the AEDT 3c installer.

AEDT Version 3c Functionality

Microsoft SQL Server 2017 is officially supported in addition to SQL Server 2012.

AEDT 3c introduces a number of aircraft performance modeling improvements, including:

  • A flight profile editor that allows users to create user-defined ANP or BADA 4 procedural profiles to system aircraft or user-defined aircraft
  • Reporting the physics-based thrust calculation for approach for ANP, which means that some operations can now have a negative thrust value displayed for some approach segments when more drag than thrust is being generated
  • Applying the BADA 4 fuel burn calculation method to most airborne ANP modeled segments where there is an available BADA 4 model available for the aircraft being modeled
  • Allowing aircraft to accelerate beyond 250 knots calibrated airspeed once they reach an altitude of 10,000 feet MSL when modeling flight performance using the ANP model. Previous versions of AEDT limited aircraft speed to below 250 knots calibrated aircraft through 10,000 feet AFE
  • Updates to the latest AERMET and AERMOD

AEDT 3c also includes the following improvements to emissions calculations:

  • FOA 4.0 for estimating non-volatile, volatile, and total particulate matter (PM) mass and, for the first time, particle number as recommended by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). This new method replaces the FOA 3.0 previously implemented in AEDT
  • Updated cruise PM values to be used when FOA 4.0 cannot
  • Updated SOx emission factors for ground support equipment
  • Support for the AERMINUTE THRESH_1MIN option which is used to limit the 1-minute ASOS wind speed
  • Support for reading albedo, Bowen Ratio, and surface roughness values from an externally-generated AERSURFACE output file

Other highlights from this release include:

  • Airport, Fleet and Study database updates
  • Updates to the latest AERMET and AERMOD
BADA License Requirement for AEDT 3c

If you are a new AEDT user, please refer to the AEDT purchasing steps in the Pricing page

Existing AEDT 3b users do not need to re-apply for the BADA license for AEDT 3 in advance of downloading AEDT 3c.

Existing AEDT 2b / 2c / 2d users must apply for the BADA license for AEDT 3 even if you were previously approved for AEDT 2. This is because BADA 3 and BADA 4 are two distinct and different models. You will not be allowed to download the AEDT 3c software until EUROCONTROL approves your license request. Please visit https://www.eurocontrol.int/model/bada; the access procedure for the EUROCONTROL's OneSky Online is explained at the bottom of the page. Once you are logged in the BADA User Interface website, you can request a license. Select “Tools where BADA is integrated” as the license type and select "AEDT 3" as the name of the tool.

System Requirements and Specifications

The recommended specifications are listed with suggested minimums where applicable. AEDT is a stand-alone Windows based application. However, through the use of Microsoft SQL Server connectivity, it is possible to connect multiple computational clients to one central database server. AEDT requires administrative privileges for installation and execution.

 

Using the SQL Server 2017 requires additional configuration steps. Please refer to the Section 5.2.2 and 5.2.3 in the AEDT 3c Installation Manual.

  AEDT 3c System Requirements
Minimum Noise Only
(Recommended)
Emissions Dispersion and Multi-Airport Studies (Recommended) 1
Operating System2 Microsoft Windows 10 (x64) Microsoft Windows 10 (x64) or
Windows Server 2016
Microsoft Windows 10 (x64) or
Windows Server 2016
Processor Modern dual core processor with
2 GHz or higher clock
Modern many core (>2) processors with
2 GHz or higher clock
Modern many core (>2) processors with
2 GHz or higher clock
RAM 8 GB Memory 16 GB Memory 64 GB Memory or more
Hard Disk Space 100 GB Storage 500 GB Storage 500 GB Solid State Drive (SSD) for single airport emissions dispersion

4 TB or more SSD for large scale emissions analysis
Microsoft
SQL Server
Express Edition,
Version 2012 or 2017
Standard / Enterprise Edition,
Version 2012 or 2017
Standard / Enterprise Edition,
Version 2012 or 2017,
running on the SSD
Other Software Adobe Acrobat Reader Adobe Acrobat Reader Adobe Acrobat Reader

1 While it is possible to generate emissions dispersion metric results with less than the recommended configuration, the time required for those runs to complete will be significantly longer.

2 Use Microsoft Update to ensure your computer has the latest priority updates. Visit www.update.microsoft.com.

AEDT 3c Documentation

Documentation for AEDT 3c may be updated over time; please check back occasionally for updates.

For Further Information

If you have any questions regarding the features of AEDT, please contact us at aedt-support@dot.gov.