US aviation body to phase out floppy discs

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The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is finally phasing out floppy disks and paper strips as part of a sweeping plan to modernise the United States’ aging air traffic control (ATC) system. 

According to NPR, acting FAA administrator Chris Rocheleau confirmed the upgrade push during a recent House Appropriations Committee hearing.

The overhaul aims to bring ATC infrastructure into the 21st century, replacing outdated technologies — some still running on Windows 95 — that have become a growing liability for national security and efficiency. "The whole idea is to replace the system. No more floppy disks or paper strips," Rocheleau said.

Despite the archaic tools still in use, experts warn that the transition won’t be simple. Because ATC systems must operate round-the-clock, they cannot be shut down for replacements or upgrades.

Also read: Japan all set to retire 90s relic floppy disc

Japanese behemoth Sony, its last manufacturer, stopped selling floppy discs last year, driving a final nail in the coffin of the 90s relic that put up a brave fight so far in the face of modernities, such as CDs and other storage devices. 

Japan, which made a considerable use of floppy use in several of its bureaucratic jobs, phased out floppy discs last July. 

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy called the initiative the most important infrastructure project in decades, emphasising its non-partisan urgency. "Everyone agrees — this is non-partisan. Everyone knows we have to do it," he said earlier this week.

Also read: Japan phases out floppy discs

The FAA is already spending heavily to keep legacy systems running safely, but acknowledges that continued patchwork maintenance is unsustainable. The age of the current infrastructure poses mounting risks, including vulnerability to cyberattacks.

To begin the process, the FAA has issued a Request For Information to gather ideas from tech companies. It has also scheduled several "Industry Days" for businesses to present solutions to the Department of Transportation.

While the Transportation Department has set an ambitious four-year goal, industry insiders say that timeline may be overly optimistic. Still, there is widespread agreement that an upgrade is long overdue.

Aviation groups have formed a coalition called Modern Skies to advocate for the transition. The group has launched campaigns spotlighting the outdated tools currently guiding US air traffic.

No official cost estimate has been released by the White House yet.