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AEDT 3f Update 1 Released

Posted on December 15, 2023

AEDT 3f was released on December 13, 2023. Since the initial installation files were posted on the AEDT website, an issue was identified with an application setting that affects the number of processors that AEDT uses. The application setting does not affect metric results or any other AEDT functionality.

This setting has been corrected and new AEDT 3f and AEDT 3f Distributed Processing installation files (version 210.0.19778.1, dated 12/15/2023) have been posted to the AEDT website. If you have not downloaded AEDT 3f, please proceed downloading and installing the current versions from the website.

If you have already downloaded and installed AEDT 3f and/or AEDT Distributed Processing (dated 12/13/2023), you may uninstall them and then run the updated installer versions. Alternatively, you can manually update three .config files located in both the main and distributed processing application directories (typically: C:\Program Files\FAA\AEDT3f & C:\Program Files\FAA\AEDT 3f Distributed Processing).

Using a text editing application (e.g., Windows Notepad),

  • Disable this option by replacing this line: <add key="EventProcessorThreads" value="1" />
  • with the following line: <!--<add key="EventProcessorThreads" value="1"/>-->

From the following configuration files:

  • AEDT.exe.config
  • app.config
  • RunStudy.exe.config

Some users who have installed AEDT 3f while selecting the option to remove older versions of the software have reported an issue with the program unexpectedly shutting down while opening AEDT studies. This issue is currently under investigation. It is recommended that if you want to remove prior AEDT versions, you should do so outside of AEDT via the Add/Remove Programs in Windows prior to installing AEDT 3f. If you want to maintain using other AEDT versions, you should choose to install AEDT 3f side by side with other versions during the installation process.


AEDT 3f Released

Posted on December 13, 2023

AEDT 3f was released on December 13, 2023 and is available for download on the AEDT Support website. AEDT 3f is the latest version of AEDT and is a free upgrade for existing licensed users of AEDT 2b up to 3e.

All FAA actions requiring noise, fuel burn or emissions modeling and for which the environmental analysis process has begun on or after December 13, 2023 are required to use AEDT 3e. Guidance on the version of AEDT to be used is outlined in a memo available on the AEDT website.

AEDT 3f Highlights

Starting with the AEDT 3f release, Microsoft SQL Server 2022 is officially supported in addition to SQL Server 2017.

AEDT 3f introduces a number of improvements to emissions calculations:

  • Greenhouse gas (GHG) calculations from the major sources of airport emissions: carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) can now be generated in AEDT emissions reports for Auxiliary Power Units (APU), Ground Support Equipment (GSE), and stationary sources.
  • Update to CAEP12 Working Group 3 non-volatile particulate matter (nvPM) Mission Emissions Estimation Method (MEEM): this is an update to the existing FOA4.0 nvPM estimation method which calculates emissions based on peak Emission Index mass and number values when reported by engine manufacturers.
  • Update to fuel flow adjustments for taxi emissions in accordance with SAE AIR-8035.
  • Harmonization of noise and emissions inputs for runup operations: users can specify the number of operative engines and thrust value per engine for runup operations.

AEDT 3f also includes the following improvements to dispersion modeling:

  • Characterization of aircraft sources as volume sources: added ability to characterize aircraft operations including airborne, ground roll, and taxi segments, as volume sources rather than area sources for emissions dispersion modeling.
  • Ability to generate PM2.5 dispersion results without NAAQS full year restriction: PM2.5 can be modeled for a period less than one year.
  • Expansion of runup operations to support dispersion modeling: added ability to model dispersion using runup operations and added two new source groups – Preflight Check and Engine Maintenance.
  • AERMOD and AERMET update to version 23132.

Other highlights from this release include:

  • Updated pressure and temperature profiles through tropopause.
  • Added ability to import APU duration for aircraft operations in CSV files.
  • Support for the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year 2020 data for Limited English Proficiency analyses and backwards compatibility with 2015 ACS Data.
  • Updates to the source of USA Census Block Groups and Tracts shapefile layers used for the Environmental Justice & Limited English Proficiency.
  • Airport, Fleet and Study database updates.

A full list of new features, updates, and bug fixes is included in the Release Notes. Licensed AEDT users with the BADA license for AEDT 3 can download the 3f installer and the updated documentation from the Downloads page. An AEDT account is required to access the Downloads page. If you need assistance with logging into your AEDT website account, please contact us at AEDT-support@dot.gov. Thank you for your continued interest in AEDT.


AEDT 3e Released

Posted on May 9, 2022

AEDT 3e was released on May 9, 2022 and is available for download on the AEDT Support website. AEDT 3e is the latest version of AEDT and is a free upgrade for existing licensed users of AEDT 2b up to 3d.

All FAA actions requiring noise, fuel burn or emissions modeling and for which the environmental analysis process has begun on or after May 9, 2022 are required to use AEDT 3e. Guidance on the version of AEDT to be used is outlined in a memo available on the AEDT website.

AEDT 3e Highlights

AEDT 3e introduces a number of new features, improvements and updates, including:

  • Ability to import tracks and aircraft operations in CSV files
  • Option to display only selected tracks on the map in Airports tab
  • Option to edit only selected tracks in Airports Designer
  • Support for the U.S. Census 2020 data for the population exposure report
  • Support for the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year, 2020 data for the Environmental Justice analysis
    • Note: Limited English Proficiency (LEP) data is not available at the tract-level in the 2020 ACS 5-year data, therefore LEP analyses continue to use the 2015 ACS 5-year data.
  • AERMOD and AERMET update to version 21112
    • Aircraft thrust specific in-stack NO2/NOx ratios
    • ALPHA NO2 modeling options
    • Urban population option
    • ALPHA low wind parameters
  • Improved performance and speed of AERMOD input file generation during dispersion modeling
  • Updates to emissions calculations for boiler/heater, fuel tank, sand salt pile, and solvent degreaser based on the latest EPA approved methodologies
  • Airport, Fleet and Study database updates

A full list of new features, updates, and bug fixes is included in the Release Notes. Licensed AEDT users with the BADA license for AEDT 3 can download the 3e installer and the updated documentation from the Downloads page. An AEDT account is required to access the Downloads page. If you need assistance with logging into your AEDT website account, please contact us at AEDT-support@dot.gov. Thank you for your continued interest in AEDT.


AEDT 3d Released

Posted on March 29, 2021

AEDT 3d was released on March 29, 2021 and is available for download on the AEDT Support website. AEDT 3d is the latest version of AEDT and is a free upgrade for existing AEDT 2b / 2c / 2d / 3b / 3c licensed users.

All FAA actions requiring noise, fuel burn or emissions modeling and for which the environmental analysis process has begun on or after March 29, 2021 are required to use AEDT 3d. Guidance on the version of AEDT to be used is outlined in a memo available on the AEDT website.

AEDT 3d Highlights

Starting with the AEDT 3d release, Microsoft SQL Server 2012 is no longer supported. Microsoft SQL Server 2017 is the only supported version and is a prerequisite for using AEDT 3d.

AEDT 3d introduces a number of new features, improvements and updates, including:

  • Storing segment-level emissions results in a SQL table and view
  • Re-implementation of the Speciated Organic Gases (SOG) calculation
  • Updates to particulate matter (PM) calculations, including the use of measured non-volatile particulate matter (nvPM) from the ICAO Emissions Databank and revised methods for estimating volatile and non-volatile PM
  • Ground Emissions Detail report
  • Running multiple pollutants at once in dispersion modeling
  • Interface to EPA’s AERSURFACE utility
  • Support for GeoTIFF terrain data for noise calculations
  • Updates to contouring methods
  • Option to visualize the creation of dynamic grids
  • ASIF import of user-defined spectra
  • Legacy Flight report
  • Update of altitude and speed labels in AEDT GUI
  • Performance model selection contingent on BADA 4 approval status of aircraft
  • Support for fixed-point profiles with BADA 4 performance
  • BADA 4 fuel burn model is only used with BADA 4 performance
  • Airport, Fleet and Study database updates, including updated airport-level weather data

A full list of new features, updates, and bug fixes is included in the Release Notes. Licensed AEDT users with the BADA license for AEDT 3 can download the 3d installer and the updated documentation from the Downloads page. An AEDT account is required to access the Downloads page. If you need assistance with logging into your AEDT website account, please contact us at AEDT-support@dot.gov. Thank you for your continued interest in AEDT.


Technical Bulletin: GeoTIFF to GridFloat Conversion Instructions

Posted on December 9, 2020

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) has announced that they are transitioning their systems to only provide terrain data in GeoTIFF format. This format is not supported by AEDT versions 3c and prior for noise modeling.

A document (Converting_GeoTIFF_Terrain_Data_for_Use_in_AEDT.pdf) which has instructions for converting GeoTIFF terrain data into GridFloat files is provided in the AEDT Support Website, Downloads page, Optional Tools section. It describes the process for converting GeoTIFF data using both an open source tool and ESRI software. Following either process will result in a set of GridFloat files with resolution identical to the input data that can be used by AEDT 3c and prior versions. Please note that the next version of AEDT (AEDT 3d) will support using GeoTIFF data directly without conversion.


AEDT 3c Re-release

Posted on June 19, 2020

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 is re-releasing AEDT 3c (build 140.0.11574.1) as a mandatory technical update.

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 3c is the latest version of AEDT and is a free upgrade for existing AEDT 2b/2c/2d/3b licensed users.

AEDT 3c Highlights

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

A full list of new features, updates, and bug fixes is included in the Release Notes. Licensed AEDT users with the BADA license for AEDT 3 can download the 3c installer and the updated documentation from the Downloads page. An AEDT account is required to access the Downloads page. If you need assistance with logging into your AEDT website account, please contact us at AEDT-support@dot.gov. Thank you for your continued interest in AEDT.


Technical Bulletin: AEDT 3c Fleet Database Notice

Posted on May 22, 2020

An incompatibility between the ANP and BADA3 data in the AEDT3c FLEET database (version 3.36.1) has been identified for the AEDT Equipment IDs listed in the table below. These AEDT Equipment IDs may cause abrupt changes in noise, fuel consumption, and emissions at the point of transition between the ANP and BADA3 performance models when altitude control codes are used, and should therefore not be used in AEDT 3c. AEDT users should contact FAA-AEE-100 to request approved aircraft fleet remapping where modeling of these aircraft is needed. The remappings will be provided without the need of a non-standard aircraft substitution request. Fleet data updates that will remedy this issue will be incorporated in the forthcoming AEDT 3c SP1 release

EQUIP_ID AIRFRAME ENGINE
777Britten-Norman BN-2 IslanderTIO-540-J2B2
784Rockwell Sabreliner 65TFE731-3
1465Piper PA46-TP MeridianPT6A-42
1690Bombardier de Havilland Dash 8 Q400PW127C
1694Bombardier de Havilland Dash 8 Q400PW123
1696Bombardier de Havilland Dash 8 Q400PW123B
1704Bombardier de Havilland Dash 8 Q400PW127-A
1705Bombardier de Havilland Dash 8 Q400PW150A
1970Israel IAI-1123CJ610-2C
1971Israel IAI-1124 Westwind ICJ610-6
1972Israel IAI-1124 Westwind ITFE731-3
1973Israel IAI-1124-A Westwind IITFE731-3
2010Raytheon Hawker 1000TFE731-3
2020Raytheon Hawker 1000TFE731-2/2A
4033Israel IAI-1124-A Westwind IICJ610-2C
4337Rockwell Sabreliner 65CF700-2D
4758Raytheon Hawker 1000PW306B
4899Embraer Legacy 450 (EMB-545)HTF7500E (AS907-3-1E-A2)
5335Embraer Legacy 450 (EMB-545)HTF7500E (AS907-3-1E-A3)
6118Raytheon Hawker 1000PW306A
6123Rockwell Sabreliner 65CJ610-2C
6140Israel IAI-1123CJ610-6

Boeing 767-300ER ANP data update for AEDT 3c

Posted on May 15, 2020

New Aircraft Noise and Performance (ANP) data for the Boeing 767-300ER have recently been made available by the manufacturer and is provided here for optional use. The 767-300ER is a new aircraft data set in AEDT, in addition to the Boeing 767-300 currently available in AEDT 3c. This pre-release ANP data for the 767-300ER provide new options for modeling noise and performance for the 767-300ER.

The new 767-300ER ANP information will be included as standard with the upcoming release of AEDT 3d, however users must contact the FAA Office of Environment and Energy (FAA-AEE) for approval prior to its use for any FAA reviewed regulatory purpose with AEDT 3c. Use of this new 767-300ER is encouraged and in most cases, FAA-AEE expects to provide approval on request, without need for any further supporting justification.

A partial ASIF xml file containing the necessary data is provided in the AEDT Support Website, Downloads page, Optional Tools section.


AEDT 3c Released

Posted on March 6, 2020

AEDT 3c was released on March 6, 2020 and is available for download on the AEDT Support website. AEDT 3c is the latest version of AEDT and is a free upgrade for existing AEDT 2b / 2c / 2d / 3b licensed users.

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 AEDT 3b. Guidance on the version of AEDT to be used is outlined in a memo available on the AEDT website.

AEDT 3c Highlights

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

A full list of new features, updates, and bug fixes is included in the Release Notes. Licensed AEDT users with the BADA license for AEDT 3 can download the 3c installer and the updated documentation from the Downloads page. An AEDT account is required to access the Downloads page. If you need assistance with logging into your AEDT website account, please contact us at AEDT-support@dot.gov. Thank you for your continued interest in AEDT.


Technical Bulletin: Updates for AEDT users who are working with MOVES HRE files larger than 1 GB

Posted on December 19, 2019

Symptom: In AEDT, due to a Microsoft limitation, importing a MOVES HRE file larger than 1 GB crashes the AEDT application with a “System.OutOfMemoryException” error (in the Definitions tab, “MOVES AERMOD Files” screen).

IMPORTANT: This update is only needed if MOVES-AERMOD HRE files larger than 1 GB are being used.

Resolution: Replace the two DLL files in the AEDT application folder with the updated files that include methods that will automatically work around this limitation.

  • FAA.AEE.AEDT.EmissionsDispersion.dll
  • FAA.AEE.AEDT.GUI.View.Ribbon.ViewModel.dll

Steps for AEDT 2d Service Pack 2 users:

  1. Close out of AEDT 2d SP2.
  2. From your AEDT 2d SP2 application directory (e.g., C:\Program Files\FAA\AEDT, this path can be different depending on your installation), copy the following DLL files and save them in a different location as a backup.
    • FAA.AEE.AEDT.EmissionsDispersion.dll
    • FAA.AEE.AEDT.GUI.View.Ribbon.ViewModel.dll
  3. Go to the AEDT Support Website, Downloads page.
  4. Under the Optional Tools section, download the AEDT2dSP2_DLL_Replacements_For_Large_MOVES_HRE.zip file and unzip it.
  5. Copy the FAA.AEE.AEDT.EmissionsDispersion.dll and FAA.AEE.AEDT.GUI.View.Ribbon.ViewModel.dll to your AEDT 2d SP2 application directory, replacing the files with the same name that are already in that directory.
    • The updated DLL files are only compatible with AEDT 2d SP2. They are not compatible with AEDT 2d.
    • The updated DLL files have the file version of 93.1.10684.1.

Steps for AEDT 3b users:

  1. Close out of AEDT 3b.
  2. From your AEDT 3b application directory (e.g., C:\Program Files\FAA\AEDT, this path can be different depending on your installation), copy the following DLL files and save them in a different location as a backup.
    • FAA.AEE.AEDT.EmissionsDispersion.dll
    • FAA.AEE.AEDT.GUI.View.Ribbon.ViewModel.dll
  3. Go to the AEDT Support Website, Downloads page.
  4. Under the Optional Tools section, download the AEDT3b_DLL_Replacements_For_Large_MOVES_HRE.zip file and unzip it.
  5. Copy the FAA.AEE.AEDT.EmissionsDispersion.dll and FAA.AEE.AEDT.GUI.View.Ribbon.ViewModel.dll to your AEDT 3b application directory, replacing the files with the same name that are already in that directory.
    • The updated DLL files have the file version of 103.1.10705.1..

Notes

  • The new file size upper-limit will depend on the exact contents of the MOVES HRE file. With this update, users may encounter the “System.OutOfMemoryException” when working with MOVES AERMOD files that exceed 10 GB in size.

Next AEDT Releases and Sunsetting of Microsoft SQL Server 2012

Posted on November 25, 2019

The next release of AEDT that will be named AEDT 3c is scheduled to be available in the first quarter of 2020. In addition to bug fixes and new features, there is an important change to the system requirements for the supporting database software.

Starting with AEDT 3c, Microsoft SQL Server 2017 will be officially supported in addition to the currently supported Microsoft SQL Server 2012. Users will be able to update their existing SQL Server 2012 study databases to SQL Server 2017 if they choose to run AEDT 3c with SQL Server 2017.

The support for SQL Server 2012 will end with the AEDT 3d release (planned for third quarter 2020), meaning that with AEDT 3d SQL Server 2017 will be the only supported SQL Server version. Users are responsible for ensuring that they have a version of SQL Server installed that is compatible with the version of AEDT that they are using and is appropriate for the size of the study.

We are sending this advance notice about the upcoming change in SQL Server version to allow users to plan their SQL Server migration to 2017.


AEDT 3b Released

Posted on September 24, 2019

AEDT 3b was released on September 24, 2019 and is available for download on the AEDT Support website. AEDT 3b is the latest version of AEDT and is a free upgrade for existing AEDT 2b / 2c / 2d licensed users.

All FAA actions requiring noise, fuel burn or emissions modeling and for which the environmental analysis process has begun on or after September 24, 2019 are required to use AEDT 3b. Guidance on the version of AEDT to be used is outlined in a memo available on the AEDT website.

AEDT 3b Highlights

AEDT 3b is a major release that includes new substantial changes to aircraft performance modeling along with other new features, updates, and a series of bug fixes and usability improvements.


AEDT 3b introduces the ability to select alternative weight and reduced thrust departure profiles. This new feature is considered non-standard, and therefore, the FAA’s policy for non-standard modeling procedures and methodology applies to its use.

With AEDT 3b, aircraft performance can be calculated using EUROCONTROL’s Base of Aircraft Data (BADA) Family 4, which provides improved modeling fidelity in the terminal area and enables the ability to compute noise and emissions from sophisticated user-defined flight procedures. The capability is currently provided for research purposes only.

In AEDT 3b, the use of dynamic grid is now supported for both system and user-defined noise metrics. The user also has the option of limiting the dynamic grid expansion to a user-defined boundary for closing and non-closing contours.

AEDT 3b supports U.S.EPA’s three-tiered screening approach to 1-hour NO2 emissions dispersion modeling and the use of 1-minute and 5-minute Automated Surface Observing System (ASOS) weather data.

Other highlights from this release include:
  • Airport, Fleet and Study database updates
  • Support for Windows 10 / Windows Server 2016
  • Environmental Justice support for Limited English Proficiency (LEP) analysis

A full list of new features, updates, and bug fixes is included in the Release Notes.

BADA License Requirement for AEDT 3b

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

All AEDT users must apply for the BADA license for AEDT 3 in advance of downloading AEDT 3b. Because BADA 3 and BADA 4 are two distinct and different models, EUROCONTROL requires existing AEDT users to apply for the AEDT 3 license even if you were previously approved for AEDT 2.

Please visit https://www.eurocontrol.int/model/bada and apply for the “Tools where BADA is integrated” license type, and select “AEDT 3” as the name of the tool. You will not be allowed to download the AEDT 3b software until EUROCONTROL approves your license request.


AEDT 2d Service Pack 2 Released

Posted on September 5, 2019

The AEDT 2d Service Pack 2 (SP2) installer and the release notes are available on the AEDT Support Website, Downloads page. AEDT 2d SP2 is a free upgrade for existing AEDT 2d licensed users. AEDT 2d Service Pack 1 (SP1) users should upgrade to AEDT 2d SP2 and discontinue use of AEDT 2d SP1.

This AEDT 2d SP2 release includes the following updates and bug fixes.

  • Renews the GlobalMapper license through September 4, 2020.
  • Fixes a bug that prevented users from using distributed processing to run metric results with terrain.
  • Fixes a bug in the Delay, Sequencing, and Queueing Model (DSQM) that was resulting in some flights being assigned excessive delay.
  • Adds the option to limit the maximum amount of delay that can be generated by the DSQM or to specify “no delay.”
  • Adds the option to exclude departure operations that exceed the runway length during takeoff from the metric result and log those operations as errors. If the user does not enable this option, such flights will be included in the calculations and flagged in the log file only as warnings. Users are advised to resolve runway overruns in the input by assigning aircraft to a longer runway or selecting a shorter stage length. It is important to note that excluding operations will result in differences in results compared to AEDT 2d.

Per the FAA versioning memo dated September 27, 2017, this service pack represents a modification of AEDT and is not considered an updated version of the model. Current users of AEDT 2d may use AEDT 2d SP2 without additional AEE approval, but are not required to do so.


Boeing 737800 ANP data update for AEDT 2d

Posted on August 7, 2019

Updated Aircraft Noise and Performance (ANP) data for the Boeing 737800 has recently been made available by the manufacturer and is provided here for optional use. The 737800 is currently available in AEDT 2d; however, with approval the updated ANP data provides updated arrival noise information as well as updated arrival profiles formatted as procedures for AEDT 2d.

The updated 737800 ANP information will be included as standard with the upcoming release of AEDT 3b, however for use with AEDT 2d users must notify the FAA Office of Environment and Energy (FAA-AEE) for approval prior to its use for any FAA reviewed regulatory purpose. Use of this updated 737800 is encouraged and in most cases, FAA-AEE expects to provide approval on request, without need for any further supporting justification.

An ASIF xml file containing the necessary data is provided in the AEDT Support Website, Downloads page, Optional Tools section.


Gulfstream G650 ANP Data Update For AEDT 2d

Posted on July 27, 2018

Updated Aircraft Noise and Performance (ANP) data for the Gulfstream G650 has recently been made available by the manufacturer and is provided here for optional use. The G650 is currently available in AEDT 2d through a standard substitution to the GV ANP information; however, with approval this updated ANP data may be used to create a new non-standard aircraft type for AEDT 2d.

Updated G650 ANP information will be included as standard with the upcoming release of AEDT 3a, however for use with AEDT 2d users must notify the FAA Office of Environment and Energy (FAA-AEE) for approval prior to its use for any FAA reviewed regulatory purpose. Use of this updated G650 is encouraged and in most cases, FAA-AEE expects to provide approval on request, without need for any further supporting justification.

Import instructions and an ASIF xml file containing the necessary data are provided.


AEDT 2d Update 1 Released

Posted on February 12, 2018

The AEDT 2d Update 1 installer and the release notes are available on the AEDT Support Website, Downloads page. This AEDT 2d Update 1 release includes the Esri patch for the following issue that affected AEDT installed on Microsoft Windows 7 and Windows 2008 R2 machines.

  • Microsoft Windows Security Updates (KB4056894 and KB4056897) caused the Esri geoprocessing services to fail on Windows 7 or Windows 2008 R2 computers. As a result, AEDT functionality which uses Esri geoprocessing services also failed (e.g., generating noise contour, pollutant concentration contour, population exposure report, Environmental Justice boundary, and exporting a map layer as shapefile).

Notes:

  • AEDT software and databases in the AEDT 2d Update 1 release remain the same as the AEDT 2d release. The only change is the Esri DLL file (DADFLib.dll) which gets installed by AEDT (under C:\Program Files\FAA\AEDT\ArcGISRuntime10.2.5\LocalServer64\bin).
  • If you already replaced the DADFLib.dll file, then there is no need to install AEDT 2d Update 1.

Technical Bulletin: Unable to generate contours in AEDT after Windows Update

Posted on January 17, 2018

We want to inform AEDT users about a known issue that affects AEDT.

Recent Microsoft Windows Security Updates are causing Esri geoprocessing services to fail on Windows 7 and Windows 2008 R2 computers. As a result, AEDT functionality which uses Esri geoprocessing services also fails.

Affected Microsoft Windows Versions: Windows 7 and Windows 2008 R2

Symptoms: AEDT stops working and crashes when generating noise contour, pollutant concentration contour, population exposure report, Environmental Justice boundary, and when exporting a map layer as shapefile.

Workaround: Uninstall the following Security Update for Microsoft Windows.

  • KB4056894
  • KB4056897

Status: We are investigating a solution with Esri Support and will inform you if there is any update. Please also refer to this statement released by Esri.


AEDT Newsletter | Issue 5 | September 2017

Posted on September 27, 2017

AEDT 2d Released

AEDT 2d was released on September 27, 2017 and is available for download on the AEDT Support website. AEDT 2d is the latest version of AEDT and is a free upgrade for existing AEDT 2b/2c licensed users.

All FAA actions requiring noise, fuel burn or emissions modeling and for which the environmental analysis process has begun on or after September 27, 2017 are required to use AEDT 2d. Additional information on the use of AEDT versions and their modifications is outlined in a versioning memo available on the AEDT website.

AEDT 2d release includes new features, updates, and a series of bug fixes and usability improvements, in part identified by the user community. Highlights from this release include the following:

  • Dynamic grid support for time-based noise metrics
  • Create and edit MOVES roadway, parking facility, and construction zone in Airports tab
  • MOVES inventory and links file improvement
  • VALE Report improvement – support for the MOVES sources (roadway, parking, and construction)
  • Define Metric Results wizard improvement – enter name and description; specify weather
  • Migrate Studies feature
  • Create and edit vector tracks in Airports tab
  • Track dispersion enhancements in Airports tab
  • Metric Results Import and Combine feature improvement
  • High fidelity weather support for MERRA-2 and WRF
  • Sensor Path Import (SPI) tool
  • Study Database Update to version 1.54.2
  • Fleet Database Update to version 3.24.4. Key updates include new ANP aircraft to support Boeing 737 MAX and Bombardier Global 5000 and 6000 as well as BADA support for Airbus A350-900

A full list of new features, updates, and bug fixes is included in the Release Notes. AEDT 2b/2c licensed users can download the 2d installer and the updated documentation from the Downloads page. An AEDT account is required to access the Downloads page. If you need assistance with logging into your AEDT website account, please contact us at AEDT-support@dot.gov. Thank you for your continued interest in AEDT.


Upcoming AEDT Training
Upcoming training opportunities include the following AEDT training courses:

For a list of other training opportunities please refer to the training question on the FAQs page. The FAA does not endorse specific AEDT training classes. Information is provided to the user community as a public service.


Next AEDT Release & Sunsetting of Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2

Posted on July 26, 2017

The next release of AEDT, named AEDT 2d, is scheduled to be released in the Fall of 2017. In addition to bug fixes and new features, there is an important change to the system requirements in regards to the supporting database software. AEDT 2d will only support Microsoft SQL Server 2012.

Starting with AEDT 3c, Microsoft SQL Server 2017 will be officially supported in addition to the currently supported Microsoft SQL Server 2012. Users will be able to update their existing SQL Server 2012 study databases to SQL Server 2017 if they choose to run AEDT 3c with SQL Server 2017.

Microsoft SQL Server 2012 is officially supported as of AEDT 2c Service Pack 2 which was released on March 13, 2017. The support for SQL Server 2008 R2 will end with the upcoming AEDT release (AEDT 2d), and SQL Server 2012 will be the only supported SQL Server version as of then. A utility will be provided to upgrade SQL Server 2008 R2 study databases to SQL Server 2012.

Please note that users are responsible for installing SQL Server 2012 on their system. The installer for Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Express edition is available for download from the AEDT Support Website (https://aedt.faa.gov/). We encourage you to prepare early by installing SQL Server 2012 before the AEDT 2d release.


AEDT Newsletter | Issue 4 | March 2017

Posted on March 13, 2017

AEDT 2c Service Pack 2 Released

AEDT 2c Service Pack 2 (SP2) was released on March 13, 2017 and is available for download on the AEDT Support website. AEDT 2c SP2 is the latest modification of AEDT 2c and is a free upgrade for existing AEDT 2b/2c licensed users.

All FAA actions requiring noise, fuel burn or emissions modeling and for which the environmental analysis process has begun on or after September 12th 2016 are required to use AEDT 2c. Additional information on the use of AEDT versions and their modifications is outlined in a versioning memo available on the AEDT website.

AEDT 2c SP2 release includes new features, updates, and a series of bug fixes and usability improvements, in part identified by the user community. Highlights from this Release include the following:

  • Official support of Microsoft SQL Server 2012
  • Side-by-side installations of AEDT versions
  • AERMOD and AERMET version update
  • Speed & performance improvements for emissions dispersion metrics
  • Detailed noise report
  • Acoustics diagnostics logging

A full list of new features, updates, and bug fixes is included in the Release Notes. AEDT 2b/2c licensed users can download the 2c SP2 installer and the updated documentation from the Downloads page. An AEDT account is required to access the Downloads page. If you need assistance with logging into your AEDT website account, please contact us at AEDT-support@dot.gov. Thank you for your continued interest in AEDT.


Upcoming AEDT Training
Upcoming training opportunities include the following AEDT training courses:

For a list of other training opportunities please refer to the training question on the FAQs page. The FAA does not endorse specific AEDT training classes. Information is provided to the user community as a public service.


AEDT Newsletter | Issue 3 | December 2016

Posted on December 19, 2016

AEDT 2c Service Pack 1 Released

AEDT 2c Service Pack 1 (SP1) was released on December 19, 2016 and is available for download on the AEDT Support website. AEDT 2c SP1 is the latest modification of AEDT 2c and is a free upgrade for existing AEDT 2b/2c licensed users.

All FAA actions requiring noise, fuel burn or emissions modeling and for which the environmental analysis process has begun on or after September 12th 2016 are required to use AEDT 2c. Additional information on the use of AEDT versions and their modifications is outlined in a versioning memo available on the AEDT website.

AEDT 2c SP1 release includes new features, updates, and a series of bug fixes and usability improvements, in part identified by the user community. Highlights from this Release include the following:

  • Dynamic grid support for all dB-based noise metrics
  • Edit operations
  • Emissions dispersion contouring and output selection
  • Centralized feature control
  • Updated user documentation

A full list of new features, updates, and bug fixes is included in the Release Notes. AEDT 2b/2c licensed users can download the 2c SP1 installer and the updated documentation from the Downloads page. An AEDT account is required to access the Downloads page. If you need assistance with logging into your AEDT website account, please contact us at AEDT-support@dot.gov. Thank you for your continued interest in AEDT.

Upcoming AEDT Training
Upcoming training opportunities include following AEDT training courses:

For a list of other training opportunities please refer to the training question on the FAQs page. The FAA does not endorse specific AEDT training classes. Information is provided to the user community as a public service.


AEDT 2c Released

Posted on September 12, 2016

AEDT 2c was released on September 12, 2016 and is available for download on the AEDT Support website.

AEDT 2c is the latest version of AEDT and is a free upgrade for existing AEDT 2b licensed users. All FAA actions requiring noise, fuel burn or emissions modeling and for which the environmental analysis process has begun on or after September 12th 2016 are required to use AEDT 2c. Additional information on the use of AEDT versions and their modifications is outlined in a versioning memo available on the AEDT website.

AEDT 2c includes a new capability designed to assist in the identification of potential environmental justice (low-income and minority) populations for the purpose of community outreach. Guidance on the use of the environmental justice capability is available here.

AEDT 2c release includes new features, updates, and a series of bug fixes and usability improvements, in part identified by the user community. Highlights from this Release include the following:

  • Number above noise level
  • Background emissions concentrations
  • Environmental justice population identification
  • Updated User Guide and Technical Manual

A full list of new features, updates, and bug fixes is included in the Release Notes.

AEDT 2b licensed users can download the 2c installer and the updated documentation from the Downloads page. An AEDT account is required to access the Downloads page. If you need assistance with logging into your AEDT website account, please contact us at AEDT-support@dot.gov.

Thank you for your continued interest in AEDT. For more information about AEDT, please visit https://aedt.faa.gov/.


AEDT Newsletter | Issue 2 | August 2016

Posted on August 30, 2016

AEDT & Legacy Tools Comparison
The FAA's Aviation Environmental Design Tool (AEDT) replaced a series of legacy FAA tools for modeling noise, emissions, and fuel consumption. These legacy tools include the Integrated Noise Model (INM), Emissions and Dispersion Modeling System (EDMS), and Noise Integrated Routing System (NIRS).

Improved algorithms in AEDT result in differences in noise calculated at receptor locations, noise contours, emissions output and fuel burn, relative to the legacy models. Updates to AEDT from the legacy models include:

  • Shorter flight path segments to better approximate changes in aircraft state
  • Improvements to input weather data into a study
  • Aircraft data updates specific to noise levels, fuel burn, and airframe/engine mapping
  • Updated fuel consumption models
  • Helicopter emissions modeling using climb-out mode approach

AEDT has a fundamentally different system architecture, design and capabilities from the legacy tools. This allows users to simultaneously model aviation noise, fuel consumption, and emissions within a common interface and common inputs. A summary of caparisons between AEDT and the legacy tools may be found on the AEDT website at AEDT & Legacy Tools Comparisons

Upcoming AEDT Training
Upcoming training opportunities include AEDT Training Courses:

The FAA does not endorse specific AEDT training classes. Information is provided to the user community as a public service.

New AEDT Training Videos
The FAA provides introductory self-paced training videos for AEDT 2b users found on the AEDT website at: AEDT Outreach. Available videos include:

  • AEDT 2b User Interface Intro Video
  • AEDT 2b Define Metric Results Video
  • AEDT 2b Generate Layers Video
  • AEDT 2b Generate Reports Part 1 Video
  • AEDT 2b Generate Reports Part 2 Video - How to Read the Impact Set Report Video

AEDT 2b Service Pack 3 Released

Posted on June 13, 2016

AEDT 2b Service Pack 3 (SP3) was released on June 13, 2016 and is available for download on the AEDT Support website. AEDT 2b SP3 includes the following updates:

  • Addition of time audible functionality
  • Addition of fuel consumption and emissions for military aircraft (and aircraft with thrust type = “other”)
  • Improvements to generating VALE reports for multi-year analysis
  • Improvements to the study upgrade process
  • Improvements to the import of EDMS studies
  • Updated User Guide and Technical Manual
  • A series of bug fixes, in part identified by the user community

A full list of bug fixes and updates is included in the Release Notes.

Instructions on how to install AEDT 2b SP3 or update to SP3 from an existing version of AEDT 2b can be found in Section 5.2 of the Installation Guide. AEDT 2b licensed users can download the SP3 installer and the updated documentation from the Downloads page. An AEDT 2b account is required to access the Downloads page. If you need assistance with logging into your AEDT website account, please contact us at AEDT-support@dot.gov.


AEDT Newsletter | Issue 1 | May 2016

Posted on May 23, 2016

Technical Manual Update
AEDT 2b Service Pack 2 (SP2) Technical Manual has been posted! To view the manual click HERE!
AEDT 2b replaces INM, EDMS and AEDT 2a applications as the required tool for noise, fuel burn and emissions modeling of FAA actions.


AEDT Bug Fixes and Updates
The FAA is planning recurrent updates to AEDT software for new features and bug fixes! The updates will be on an approximate 3-month cycle, beginning with the release of Service Pack 3 (SP3) on June 13, 2016. Service Pack 3 (SP3) updates will include:
  • Addition of time audible functionality
  • Addition of fuel consumption and emissions for military aircraft (and aircraft with thrust type = “other”)
  • Improvements to the import of EDMS studies
  • Improvements to generating VALE reports for multi-year analysis
  • Improvements to the study upgrade process
  • A series of bug fixes, in part identified by the user community

Upcoming AEDT Training

Upcoming training opportunities include AEDT Training Courses to commence on the following dates:
  • Tuesday, June 28, 2016 in Cambridge, MA provided by VOLPE. Click to register
  • Coming this Fall in Burlington, MA provided by HMMH.

The FAA does not endorse specific AEDT training classes. Information is provided to the user community as a public service. The FAA provides introductory, self-paced training material in the Instructional Resources section of the AEDT Downloads page.


AEDT 2b Service Pack 2 Released

Posted on December 22, 2015

AEDT 2b Service Pack 2 (SP2) was released on December 22, 2015 and is available for download. AEDT 2b SP2 includes several bugs fixes and updates since 2b's release in May. A full list of bug fixes and updates is included in the Release Notes.

Instructions on how to install AEDT 2b SP2 or update to SP2 from an existing version of AEDT 2b can be found in Section 5.2 of the Installation Guide. AEDT 2b licensed users can download the SP2 installer and the updated documentation from the Downloads page. An AEDT 2b account is required to access the Downloads page. If you need assistance with logging into your AEDT website account, please contact us at AEDT-support@dot.gov.


New AEDT 2b Training Videos

Posted on September 29, 2015

The first set of AEDT 2b training videos are available on the Outreach videos page. The available videos include an introduction to the AEDT 2b user interface, define metric results workflow, and generation of layers. Additional training videos for AEDT 2b will be posted periodically.


New AEDT 2b Training Materials

Posted on September 18, 2015

The first set of AEDT 2b training materials are available on the AEDT Support website, including six step-by-step exercises, an introduction to AEDT 2b reference sheet, and a presentation on using the Motor Vehicle Emissions Simulator (MOVES) with AEDT 2b. Additional training materials for AEDT 2b will be posted periodically. Downloadable materials such as exercises and presentations can be found on the Downloads page, which requires an AEDT 2b account to access. Videos are coming soon and will be found on the Outreach videos page when available.


AEDT 2b Feature Pack 1 Released

Posted on July 29, 2015

AEDT Feature Pack 1 (FP1) updates EPA tools which are used within AEDT 2b for processing emissions dispersion metric results. The specific EPA tools addressed are AERMOD and AERMET (both updated from version 12345 to 14134). The AEDT 2b User Guide and Installation Guide have been updated to match appropriate EPA versions. All other AEDT 2b software and databases remain the same as the prior release. A list of minor bug fixes are included in the Release Notes.

Instructions on how to install AEDT 2b FP1 or update to AEDT 2b FP1 from an existing version of AEDT 2b can be found in Section 5.2 of the updated Installation Guide. AEDT 2b Licensed Users can download the FP1 installer and new documentation from the AEDT 2b Downloads page. An AEDT 2b account is required to access the Downloads page. If you need assistance with logging into your AEDT website account, please contact us at AEDT-support@dot.gov.


AEDT 2b Release

Posted on May 29, 2015

AEDT 2b was released to the public on May 29, 2015, replacing the Integrated Noise Model (INM – single airport noise analysis), the Emissions and Dispersion Modeling System (EDMS – single airport emissions analysis), and AEDT 2a (regional noise analysis) as the single required model for environmental compliance of airport actions as well as air traffic airspace and procedure actions. AEDT 2b pricing and licensing information can be found on the 2b purchase page.