FAA to replace floppy-disk systems at air traffic facilities by 2028

The FAA plans to replace four systems dating to the 1980s that use floppy disks to provide weather and other operational information at more than 400 facilities. The new Enterprise Information Display System is intended to consolidate information for controllers, with installation planned at 435 sites by the end of 2028.

• The FAA says the floppy-disk systems carry weather and other critical information and are used at more than 400 facilities.· 2 sources
• The replacement, called E-IDS, will bring operational information into a digital display system; the FAA says it should help controllers access updates and alerts.· 2 sources
• The FAA plans to install E-IDS at 435 sites by the end of 2028. The five named locations include three airports and data-processing hubs in Atlanta and Salt Lake City.· 1 source
• CNA reports that Congress approved $12.5 billion last year for air traffic control system repairs and that Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy is seeking another $30 billion for upgrades.· 1 source
• CNA also describes recent disruptions linked to severed fiber-optic cables, including an October incident affecting data services between FAA facilities in Houston.· 1 source