FAA to eliminate floppy disks, outdated tech in air traffic control system
Share and Follow


() Federal aviation officials last week unveiled an ambitious, three-year plan aimed at modernizing the U.S.’s air traffic control system.

The plan calls for a new, state-of-the-art system to replace the outdated technology currently in use, which includes floppy disks and computers running the Windows 95 operating system. According to NPR, air traffic controllers also still use slips of paper containing flight numbers to help track the approximately 45,000 flights that the Federal Aviation Administration handles on a daily basis.

“The whole idea is to replace the system,” acting FAA administrator Chris Rocheleau said. “No more floppy disks or paper strips.”

A 2023 FAA assessment determined that more than a third of the country’s air traffic control systems were unsustainable. Some had already begun to fail.

System failures most recently hit Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey, where staffing shortages and equipment issues have caused mass delays over the past few months. The delays forced FAA officials to curtail the number of flights in and out of the airport.

Airline officials pointed to those system failures in a recent open letter to Congress urging legislators to provide adequate funding to overhaul the “wildly outdated” system.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy last week described the proposed plan as the “most important infrastructure project” the U.S. has seen in decades.

“Everyone agrees, this is non-partisan,” Duffy said at a news conference. “Everyone knows we have to do it.”

It was unclear how much the authorities believe the project will cost, though Duffy has estimated the price tag at somewhere in the tens of billions of dollars, NPR reported.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Harrowing photos show what's left of volunteer fire chief's vehicle after he was swept away in Texas floods

Harrowing photos show what’s left of volunteer fire chief’s vehicle after he was swept away in Texas floods

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! A desperate search was…
Iowa mom honors late daughter with non-profit that empowers teen girls

Iowa mother creates non-profit in memory of her daughter to empower teenage girls

DES MOINES, Iowa — Ema Cardenas was walking home from school when…
Tourist who missed Norwegian cruise ship discovered dead on mountain trail in Alaska

Tourist who missed Norwegian cruise ship discovered dead on mountain trail in Alaska

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! A tourist who went…
Mets can finally use ideal starting rotation to end first half

The Mets can now use their best starting pitchers to finish the first half of the season

Carlos Mendoza remained cautiously optimistic on Sunday, hesitant to get too excited…
TikTok's deadline likely to be extended again by Trump

What you should know about the possible creation of a US edition of TikTok as part of a deal

For now, TikTok continues to function for its 170 million users in…
Denise Richards' husband Aaron Phypers 'files for divorce'

Aaron Phypers initiates divorce proceedings with Denise Richards

Denise Richards’s husband Aaron Phypers has filed for divorce after six years…
Texas rep defends vote against emergency alert bill amid floods

Texas representative explains why he voted against emergency alert legislation during floods

() A Texas state representative defended his vote against a $500 million…
Areas hit by Texas floods a scene of 'pure destruction': Volunteers

Volunteers witness severe damage in areas affected by Texas floods

() With the search for victims in the Central Texas floods now…