The main objective of the work proposed here was to provide a detailed specification and design for a new level of aircraft noise prediction modelling, capable of being used in real-time applications. This model can thus be used for the minimisation of the noise impact “on-the-fly” as part of a wider optimisation for minimum environmental impact of aircraft operations, as envisaged in SGO/MTM.

In recent years increased effort has been dedicated to better understand the interdependencies between noise and emissions. In Europe, initiatives like TEAM-PLAY had been setup in order to create a toolsuite with which these interdependencies can be assessed. However, these efforts are mainly directed towards long term assessments, usually for policy support, informing the rulemaking process, e.g. for the assessment of stringency options or elaboration of action plans. These methods do not intend to be accurate at single event level. ARMONEA, however, provided a tool with which each individual aircraft operation can be optimised for minimum noise impact in dependence of current air traffic/meteo situations, thus significantly contributing to minimising the environmental impact of air traffic.

ARMONEA was based on the SOPRANO platform, a complex aircraft noise source prediction program, developed in EU projects and at present the main common tool for aircraft noise predictions in Europe. Its flexibility allows for its adaptation to a variety of applications, and it is envisaged that the power of SOPRANO will greatly contribute to the success of ARMONEA.