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FAA plans to phase out floppy disks from air traffic control by 2028

The Federal Aviation Administration plans to eliminate floppy disks from U.S. air traffic control systems by 2028, retiring decades-old media still running across hundreds of facilities.

A black 3.5-inch floppy disk shown on a white background.
Image: @Dexerto

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration announced plans to retire floppy disks from air traffic control operations by 2028, according to reports by Reuters and Gizmodo. The agency has characterized the modernization effort as a "historic" technology upgrade, Ars Technica reported.[3][5][6]

The legacy storage medium remains in active use at more than 400 aviation facilities across the country following decades of service, Dexerto reported. As part of the planned phaseout, a new system will centralize flight alerts, restricted airspace schedules, and pilot reports, according to Tom's Hardware.[1][2]

Key facts

  • The FAA plans to eliminate floppy disks from air traffic control systems by 2028.
  • The FAA characterized the transition away from floppy disks as a "historic" technology upgrade.
  • Floppy disk technology remains operational at more than 400 air traffic control facilities across the United States after decades in use.
  • The incoming replacement system will centralize flight alerts, schedules for restricted airspace, and pilot reports.

Sources · 5 sources

  1. TH

    Tom's Hardware@tomshardwarePost on X ·

    US FAA to eliminate floppy disks from air traffic control by 2028 — new system will centralize flight alerts, restricted airspace schedules, and pilot reports https://t.co/w57Nu1mR53

    Open source
  2. DE

    Dexerto@DexertoPost on X ·

    US air traffic control is finally phasing out floppy disks after decades of use The outdated technology is still used at more than 400 facilities across the country https://t.co/4DniombkNl

    Open source
  3. RE

    Reuters@ReutersPost on X ·

    US FAA says it will phase out floppy disks from air traffic control by 2028 https://t.co/PCQfgOdjA8

    Open source
  4. RE

    Reuters@ReutersPost on X ·

    US FAA says it will phase out floppy disks from air traffic control by 2028 https://t.co/VFjdJT8FUI

    Open source
  5. GI

    Gizmodo@GizmodoPost on X ·

    FAA Plans to Retire Floppy Disks by 2028 https://t.co/kFkNKUoLGR

    Open source
  6. AT

    Ars Technica@arstechnicaPost on X ·

    FAA to finally ditch floppy disks in what it calls "historic" tech upgrade https://t.co/tBVn5AB7bo

    Open source