Air Data News
• Ricardo Meier
Floppy disks remain in parts of the U.S. air traffic control system, more than two decades after they disappeared from most computers. The FAA expects to need another two years to eliminate their use, extending reliance on legacy technology while it modernizes systems across the national network.
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Floppy disks remain in parts of the U.S. air traffic control system, more than two decades after they disappeared from most computers. The FAA expects to need another two years to eliminate their use, extending reliance on legacy technology while it modernizes systems across the national network.
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Air traffic controllers at Seattle’s Boeing Field are working from a temporary facility after roof leaks forced the control tower to close. The temporary setup has reduced operational capabilities, constraining the airport’s air traffic control services while emergency repairs are carried out.
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The FAA has begun deploying its Enterprise Information Display System to replace aging equipment, including systems that still rely on floppy disks for weather and other critical information. The agency plans to install the new displays at 435 facilities by the end of 2028.
The FAA will replace floppy disks used in air traffic control with the E-IDS digital system, with the transition due by 2028, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said. The change retires technology dating to the 1980s as the agency works to modernize its operational infrastructure.
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The FAA says it will retire legacy systems, including floppy disks, at more than 400 air traffic control facilities by 2028. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy is also seeking a vote on a proposed $30 billion overhaul, though the articles do not specify whether that funding is secured.
A procedural guide examines the ILS or localizer approach to Runway 1L at Wichita, including low-visibility arrivals and parallel approach procedures. The coverage focuses on the skills needed to fly these procedures when visiting the city known as the “Air Capital of the World.”
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A widening global shortage is pushing countries to recruit experienced air traffic controllers from abroad, as officials warn that staffing gaps can raise safety concerns and disrupt travel. One estimate puts global demand at 71,000 new controllers by 2034, intensifying competition for qualified personnel.
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A series of bomb threats against flights operated by Ryanair, Wizz Air, LOT Polish Airlines and SAS disrupted passenger operations across Europe. Aircraft were diverted or made emergency landings, while security services inspected planes and fighter jets escorted some flights; no explosives have been found.
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