FAA Begins Retiring Decades Old Floppy Disks from Air Traffic Control
The FAA is replacing legacy air traffic control systems that relied on 1980s-era floppy disks with a modern digital display system called E-IDS. The project aims to improve safety and efficiency across 435 facilities by 2028.
Why it matters
Modernizing critical infrastructure is essential for maintaining aviation safety and reducing the risk of system failures.
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy today announced the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is continuing its historic modernization of America’s air traffic control system by replacing outdated floppy disks that contain vital weather and other critical information with a streamlined, 21st-century system.
The Enterprise – Information Display System (E-IDS) replaces four systems dating back to the 1980s that are in more than 400 FAA facilities. E-IDS provides a single, secure system that gives air traffic controllers faster access to information they need. It also will reduce costly repairs and workarounds while enhancing safety for the American flying public.
The first five facilities to receive these upgrades include:
The FAA plans to install E-IDS in 435 sites by the end of 2028.
Also covering this story
One other newsroom covered this event. We read that version too.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in