FAA plans to replace floppy-disk systems at 435 sites by 2028
The agency says new information displays will give air traffic controllers quicker access to data and reduce repair costs.
The US Federal Aviation Administration plans to install a new information display system at 435 sites by the end of 2028, replacing air traffic control equipment that still uses floppy disks. The equipment being replaced dates to the 1980s.
Controllers currently rely on the diskette-based systems for weather data and other critical information at more than 400 facilities across the country. The replacement, called Enterprise – Information Display System (E-IDS), uses digital displays to deliver status reports, alerts and updates to air traffic teams.
The first installations are planned for three airports: Nashville International Airport, Greater Rochester International Airport and Atlantic City International Airport. Data processing hubs in Salt Lake City and Atlanta are also among the first five locations scheduled for upgrades.
The FAA says the changes will make information available to controllers more quickly, lower repair expenses and improve safety for air travelers. The rollout will replace technology that has remained in use decades after floppy disks first appeared in 1971.
