FAA to eliminate floppy disks, outdated tech in air traffic control system
Share this @internewscast.com


() 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failures in a recent open letter to Congress urging legislators to provide adequate funding to overhaul the “wildly outdated” system.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 this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Diddy Awaits Verdict: A Look at His Current Business Ventures

LOS ANGELES – As Sean “Diddy” Combs awaits the jury’s decision in…

Brunswick Welcomes Georgia’s Largest Buc-ee’s Just in Time for Holiday Travelers

BRUNSWICK, Ga. (WSAV) – If you’ve ever taken a journey through the…

Trump Launches Luxury Fragrance Line for $249

(The Hill) — President Donald Trump launched a new business venture on…

Dream Vacation for Basketball Fans: Rent Michael Jordan’s Former Chicago Mansion on Airbnb

A mansion in the Chicago area, once owned by legendary NBA player…

Westville Library Secures Funding to Enhance Technology and Internet Access

WESTVILLE. (WCIA) — Every day, new research highlights the impact of technology…

Trump Administration Alleges Harvard Seriously Breached Civil Rights Act

The Trump administration says Harvard University is in “violent violation” of the…

Illinois American Water Enhances Financial Assistance Program for Residents

Residents of Belleville, Illinois, will find it easier to get assistance with…

Arizona Democrats to Sidestep State Party for Midterms Amid Pivotal Races

PHOENIX – Leading Arizona Democrats announced Tuesday their decision to bypass the…

Trump Administration Takes Legal Action Against Los Angeles Due to Sanctuary City Laws

() The Justice Department has sued the city of Los Angeles, Mayor…

NOAA Plans to Stop Providing Certain Weather Data, but Postpones the Change

(The Hill) Federal authorities say they will discontinue some weather data, but…

Off-Duty Florida Nurse Rescues Neighbor’s 5-Year-Old After Accidental Shooting

EUSTIS, Fla. (WFLA) — When a tragic incident took place on Sunday,…

Survey Reveals 75% Believe Democracy is Under Serious Threat

(The Hill) – Three-quarters of U.S. adults say the future of democracy…