{
  "id": 19175104,
  "title": "'Floppy disks are out, 21st century tech is in': The FAA is finally ditching 55-year-old storage",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/09/floppy-disks-are-out-21st-century-tech-is-in-the-faa-is-finally",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-11-09T16:07:08.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "PC Gamer",
    "slug": "pc-gamer",
    "url": "https://www.pcgamer.com/hardware/floppy-disks-are-out-21st-century-tech-is-in-the-faa-is-finally-ditching-55-year-old-storage/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has announced the end of an era for 55-year-old floppy disk storage, as it prepares to transition to modern technology. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy stated that the United States will now embrace \"state-of-the-art\" air traffic control systems, aligning with the vision of President Trump. The outdated 3.5-inch floppy disks, which have been used to store crucial weather and other essential information in the air traffic control system, will be phased out in favor of the Enterprise Information Display System (E-IDS).\n\nFAA Administrator Bryan Bedford emphasized that the E-IDS would enhance the ability of air traffic controllers to make timely decisions and maintain the safety of air travel. The new system aims to improve the sharing of critical flight alerts, restricted airspace schedules, and pilot reports across the National Airspace System. The E-IDS is set to replace the aging Information Display System 4 (IDS-4), which relied on floppy drive-equipped machines running MS-DOS.\n\nThe FAA plans to complete the upgrade at 435 sites across the country by the end of 2028. Some of the first locations to receive the new system include Atlantic City International Airport and Nashville International Airport. As air travelers, we can only hope that this transition to modern technology goes smoothly, ensuring a safer and more efficient flying experience for everyone.",
  "summary": "Better late than never.",
  "key_points": [
    "FAA ends use of 55-year-old floppy disks in air traffic control",
    "Enterprise Information Display System (E-IDS) replaces outdated system",
    "Upgrade to be completed by end of 2028 at 435 sites"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "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."
}