A Look Back at the Stone Age of Technology
While modern aircraft glide through the air with advanced avionics, satellite navigation, and automated assistance systems, time seems to have stood still on the ground in the USA – more precisely, in the 1990s. At Newark Airport (New Jersey), one of the largest international hubs in the United States, a technology that is now just a nostalgic relic for many is still in use: the 3.5-inch floppy disk.
Yes, you read that right – Floppy Disks. The security software for managing and maintaining air traffic control systems is partially loaded via floppy disks. This is not a joke, but bitter reality – and an alarming signal for the general safety of US air traffic.
What Exactly Is Wrong Here?
According to a recent report by the US Government Accountability Office, 51 out of 138 air traffic control systems of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are in a state classified as “urgently in need of modernization”. These systems do not affect unimportant peripheral areas, but rather the most central aspects of flight safety:
- Navigation
- Communication
- Weather monitoring
- Flight monitoring
Some of the systems are over 40 years old, and this is felt not only by the technicians – but also by the passengers.
Spare Parts on eBay: A Declaration of Bankruptcy
US Secretary of Transportation Sean P. Duffy (53) recently raised a public alarm. The condition of the systems is not only unacceptable but potentially life-threatening. The outdated technology is extremely prone to failure. Spare parts are hardly available on the free market. Instead, components are sought on online marketplaces like eBay – a bizarre and frightening state in a country that considers itself a technological superpower.
Technical Failures and Staff Shortages: A Dangerous Mix
In recent weeks, there have been several serious incidents at Newark Airport. Radar and communication systems failed repeatedly, leading to massive flight delays and even flight cancellations. The acute shortage of air traffic controllers further exacerbates the problem.
A failure of these systems during flight operations can have fatal consequences – especially in bad weather or during high air traffic.
A Renovation Plan with Hurdles
The FAA and the Department of Transportation are planning a comprehensive modernization program. Plans include:
- Renewal of radar systems
- Replacement of floppy disk systems
- Introduction of fiber optic, radio, and satellite technology
- Construction of new air traffic control centers
But as is often the case: Between plan and implementation lie worlds – and eight billion dollars. This is the amount the US government is budgeting for the renewal of air traffic control systems. The implementation is supposed to be completed within three to four years.
How Did It Come to This?
Many experts see the causes in years of investment backlog. While other countries like Germany, Canada, or Switzerland invested heavily in modern air traffic control, the USA saved money – and in the wrong place. The pressure to save, combined with inadequate long-term planning, has led to a reliance today on outdated technologies that any IT expert would have long since written off.
Safety Should Not Be a Question of Budget
The dependence on ancient technology, as observed in Newark, not only poses a risk to individual airports – it endangers the entire trust in American aviation. Passengers expect modern technology to ensure their safety – not 30-year-old software on floppy disks.
What Do We Learn from This?
- Safety must always be a priority.
- Technological backlogs endanger lives.
- Long-term maintenance and modernization are not a luxury – but a duty.
Engelmann Software says: Modern software solutions are not optional
As a software company, we know: Old systems can be useful during transition periods – but they should never become the backbone of critical infrastructures. Security, maintainability, and future viability must be ensured in every area – whether in aviation, communication, or the private sector.
