Seems about time for an upgrade.
By Anna Washenko Nov. 5, 2026 2:16 pm EST Yauheni Kazlou/Shutterstock Add Engadget on Google: Google DiscoverThe US Federal Aviation Administration is getting some probably overdue upgrades. The flight agency announced today that it is modernizing some air traffic control systems that have to date been running on floppy disks. You read that right: floppy disks.
For those of you too young to remember, floppy disks were precursors to CDs as a means of storing and running digital data, particularly computer files and programs. IBM developed the first one back in 1971. The FAA systems in question date back to the 1980s. Unsurprisingly, the bulletin from the agency says the coming upgrades will give air traffic controllers faster access to information, reduce repair expenses and improve safety for public air travel.
