{
  "id": 18560051,
  "title": "FAA to finally ditch floppy disks in what it calls \"historic\" tech upgrade",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/06/faa-to-finally-ditch-floppy-disks-in-what-it-calls-historic-tech",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-11-06T19:12:28.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Ars Technica Policy",
    "slug": "ars-technica-policy",
    "url": "https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2026/11/faa-to-finally-ditch-floppy-disks-in-what-it-calls-historic-tech-upgrade/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is set to retire floppy disks from its air traffic control system in a significant technological upgrade, the agency announced yesterday. This move marks a major leap forward in the country's air traffic infrastructure, replacing outdated equipment dating back to the 1980s. Central to this transformation is the implementation of the Enterprise Information Display System (E-IDS), which will be integrated into 435 facilities across the nation. This new system will supersede the previous floppy disk-based information display systems, providing air traffic controllers with faster access to crucial data such as weather updates and other safety alerts. The FAA emphasizes that this upgrade is part of a broader, historic modernization effort aimed at streamlining America's air traffic control system. Over 400 operational control positions will be equipped with the E-IDS, enabling it to deliver operationally essential information necessary for managing aircraft in real-time.",
  "summary": "FAA information display systems to be floppy-free at 435 sites by end of 2028.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 5,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Verge",
        "title": "The FAA is finally ditching floppy disks",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/05/the-faa-is-finally-ditching-floppy-disks",
        "published": "2026-11-05T17:13:42.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Engadget",
        "title": "The FAA is finally phasing out floppy disks from air traffic control",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/05/the-faa-is-finally-phasing-out-floppy-disks-from-air-traffic-control",
        "published": "2026-11-05T19:16:43.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "TechSpot",
        "title": "It's almost 2027, and the FAA is finally replacing the floppy disks used by US air traffic control",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/06/its-almost-2027-and-the-faa-is-finally-replacing-the-floppy-disks",
        "published": "2026-11-06T11:15:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Mashable",
        "title": "The FAA says it will phase out floppy disks by 2028",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/06/the-faa-says-it-will-phase-out-floppy-disks-by-2028",
        "published": "2026-11-06T17:57:03.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}