The recent wave of aviation incidents has put a spotlight on the outdated infrastructure of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy is pushing for a major overhaul, warning that critical FAA systems are so antiquated that they still rely on floppy disks.
Calls for Urgent Action in Congress
Duffy is urging Congress to fast-track modernization efforts, emphasizing that waiting years for an upgrade is not an option.
“We need to act now. The systems we use are so old,” he stated in an interview with CBS News.
His concerns come in the wake of multiple plane crashes that have shaken public confidence in air travel safety.
Emergency Landing Raises Alarm
Passengers on an American Eagle flight from Jacksonville to Philadelphia were forced to brace for impact during an emergency landing on Thursday.
Fortunately, the jet landed safely just before 10 a.m., though concerns about aircraft safety remain high.
A passenger later described the experience on X, highlighting the crew’s professionalism in handling the situation.
Aviation Tragedies Spark Nationwide Concern
A deadly mid-air collision in Washington, D.C., on Duffy’s first day as Transportation Secretary only added to the urgency of FAA reforms.
Two people were killed in another mid-air collision at Arizona’s Marana Airport, following a Delta crash landing in Toronto that left several passengers seriously injured.
The nation is still reeling from last month’s catastrophic crash over Reagan International Airport, which claimed 67 lives.
Elon Musk and SpaceX Engineers Step In
In an effort to modernize air traffic control systems, Duffy has enlisted Elon Musk and his team from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
Musk and his SpaceX engineers have already visited FAA command centers to evaluate current systems and suggest improvements.
Acting FAA Administrator Chris Rocheleau confirmed that the DOGE team will continue their assessments at FAA headquarters and other key facilities.
Addressing Potential Conflicts of Interest
While SpaceX has faced fines from the FAA in the past, measures have been taken to prevent conflicts of interest.
SpaceX engineers are being kept separate from the FAA’s commercial space regulatory office, ensuring their focus remains on modernizing air traffic control without regulatory bias.
Trump Administration’s Controversial FAA Workforce Cuts
Adding to the turmoil, the Trump administration recently laid off hundreds of FAA employees just weeks after a mid-air collision at Reagan National Airport.
Duffy defended the move, calling the cuts “incredibly small” and emphasizing that safety-critical positions, including air traffic controllers and inspectors, remain intact.
The Challenge of Staffing and Outdated Technology
Despite these assurances, the FAA continues to struggle with a shortage of 3,500 air traffic controllers and reliance on outdated technology.
Plans to eliminate the decades-old practice of using paper flight strips for tracking aircraft are underway, but full implementation across 49 major airports is not expected until 2029.
What’s Next?
With mounting safety concerns, pressure is building on lawmakers and aviation authorities to act swiftly.
Duffy’s call for immediate action, Musk’s technological expertise, and the FAA’s ongoing efforts will shape the future of American air travel.
Whether these efforts will be enough to restore public confidence remains to be seen.
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