Air Traffic Control: FAA Retires Floppy Disks
The agency will install a new data system at 435 facilities by late 2028 to replace 1980s-era hardware.
By Nathan Reed ·
The Federal Aviation Administration is retiring floppy disks from its air traffic control operations.
The agency announced the change on Thursday as part of an upgrade to the Enterprise Information Display System. This new system will be installed in 435 facilities. It replaces several information display systems that have been in use since the 1980s. The update aims to give controllers faster access to data needed for safety alerts.
The FAA described the move as part of a historic modernization effort. The agency stated it is replacing outdated storage media with a streamlined system. E-IDS will be deployed to operational control positions in more than 400 facilities. It covers all air traffic control domains. The system will provide essential information for controlling aircraft.
The project has been in development for over six years. Acting FAA Administrator Chris Rocheleau told the House Appropriations Committee last year that the agency was ending the use of floppy disks and paper strips. The new system addresses two top safety concerns. These include the distribution of weather alerts to pilots and the timely distribution of Notices to Airmen. Notices to Airmen contain information on abnormal statuses and hazards.
FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said the new system allows controllers to make timely decisions. He noted that the agency is moving away from manual processes. The modern system enables the instant sharing of critical flight alerts. It also handles restricted airspace schedules and pilot reports across the National Airspace System.
The upgrade will take approximately one year to complete at all sites. The first locations to receive the E-IDS are Atlantic City International Airport and Nashville International Airport. Greater Rochester International Airport will also be among the first. Data processing hubs in Atlanta and Salt Lake City are included in the initial rollout.
The FAA plans to finish the installation at all 435 sites by the end of 2028. The older tools being replaced have reached technical end-of-life. The new system is designed to eliminate delays in sharing vital information between controllers.
