Simtra AeroTech - Airside Planning, Design and Operation Software

Simtra AeroTech is the company behind PathPlanner A5, the leading software for airside planning, design and operations.

PathPlanner A5 is a CAD application that contains an extensive aircraft database including the Airbus A380 and Boeing 787. It offers simulation of aircraft and vehicle movements with display of jet blast, safety clearances, realistic pushback, and much more. The software also provides for aircraft stand design with passenger boarding bridges.

The latest addition is the aircraft data viewer, a tool that allows the user to view, print and store aircraft specifications without the need for a CAD platform.

The modular structure of PathPlanner A5 provides the flexibility to select the functionality that fits your needs and budget.

PathPlanner A5 base module with aircraft library

The base module is the foundation for every PathPlanner A5 licence. It contains a library with around 300 commercial aircraft types with accurate dimensions and steering characteristics. The library with standard road design vehicles allows road designs both airside and landside.

It is easy to park aircraft or simulate the movement showing the nose-gear track and wing-swept path. Animation of the movement can be viewed in the CAD drawing.

PathPlanner A5 advanced module with airside design tools

The advanced module offers many additional features to assist in the design of airside infrastructure. The library is extended with typical airside vehicles such as aircraft movers, fire-fighting trucks, luggage trains, and other ground service equipment.

The critical aircraft for a design task can be selected by using the Simtra design aircraft for each ICAO and FAA group. It is also possible to use a ranking function that lists aircraft based on selected criteria, for example wingspan or turning radius.

A follow function allows easy tracing of taxiway centrelines and check of lead-in marking. The oversteer turn aligns the aircraft automatically when turning into its parking position. Jet blast impact, ICAO and FAA safety clearances, and nose-gear marking are just a few of the items that can be displayed.

The advanced module offers unique pushback features. Combinations of compatible aircraft movers and aircraft are readily available and complex manoeuvres can be simulated.

PathPlanner A5 gate module with boarding bridges

The gate module allows for detailed aircraft stand design. It contains additional aircraft data such as servicing points, door-sill heights and a safety clearance box. Aircraft can be displayed in various ways, including a front view and side view, allowing for obstacle-clearance analysis.

The library contains around 500 passenger-boarding bridge types from various manufacturers. The envelope of operation of the passenger boarding bridge is displayed and with a few clicks the user is able to dock the bridge to the selected aircraft. The software calculates bridge slope, cab rotation and tunnel extension.

PathPlanner A5 presentation module – a convincing tool

The presentation module offers aircraft colour fill, for example to distinguish aircraft from various airlines.

Animations of aircraft and vehicle movements can be linked and recorded in an AVI. It is a great tool to present technical results in a convincing way to higher management or clients. Apron capacity issues or an aircraft turn-around process can be visualised in this way.

PathPlanner A5 aircraft data viewer add-on

The aircraft data viewer does not require a CAD platform but simply operates in a Windows® environment. Browsing for aircraft data has never been so easy: aircraft dimensions, turning characteristics, door-sill heights, jet-blast impact and service-point locations are all available. Specifications of up to five aircraft can even be compared in one table. The information can be viewed, sent to a printer, or stored as a pdf.