Boeing 747s Still Use Floppy Disks to Get Critical Software Updates

[pm-r]

The headline seemed surprising until one realizes that an aircraft designed in the 1980s uses technology from the 1980s, and besides, If it ain't broke...

Actually, I didn't know one could still buy them, but maybe they have a good stockpile.

And I wouldn't be surprised if a few mac-forum members have their own supply of floppies they may still use occasionally.

Boeing 747s Still Use Floppy Disks to Get Critical Software Updates

Boeing 747s Still Use Floppy Disks to Get Critical Software Updates

It’s been approximately 12 million years since most of us last used a floppy disk, but apparently, the antiquated tech still plays a critical role in delivering software updates to Boeing’s 747-400 planes.

gizmodo.com

- Patrick
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[chscag]

That kind of makes me wonder how the USAF updates their Boeing B-52 bombers which were first produced in 1952? And by the way, are still flying missions.

 

[pm-r]

That kind of makes me wonder how the USAF updates their Boeing B-52 bombers which were first produced in 1952?

I am guessing, probably the same way they did any updates back in the mid to late 50s whatever that method was.

Maybe a little black book If they even needed any updates.

A marvelous plane for sure...

- Patrick
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[lclev]

My favorite museum to visit is the Air Force museum in Dayton. Since I live about 45 minutes away, my husband and I will frequently spend a day and just go through all the exhibits. My favorite exhibit is the WWII area. It seems every time we go we find something new.

Lisa

 

[chscag]

There's also an outdoor air museum of sorts located at Barksdale AFB, in Bossier City, Louisiana. Very interesting to see some of the older Strategic Air Command aircraft on display. And by the way, Barksdale AFB is home to several wings of B-52 aircraft.

 

[pigoo3]

That kind of makes me wonder how the USAF updates their Boeing B-52 bombers which were first produced in 1952? And by the way, are still flying missions.

Punch cards!

 

[Rod]

Sadly there are still plenty of antiquated systems out there running everything from power grids to public health care records, law enforcement, water management and so on. Here in Australia it has been pointed out numerous times thanks to hacking attempts and cyberthreats in general. Apparently the cost of replacing both the hardware and the software, not to mention the training required for users it is so prohibitive that our public health system is still broadly using MS Windows Excel throughout.

 

[Slydude]

There's also an outdoor air museum of sorts located at Barksdale AFB, in Bossier City, Louisiana. Very interesting to see some of the older Strategic Air Command aircraft on display. And by the way, Barksdale AFB is home to several wings of B-52 aircraft.

That's one of several military aviation-related sites I'd like to visit. The museum Lisa mentioned in Dayton and one in Arizona is also on the list.

 

[chscag]

The one you mention that's in Arizona is located at Davis Monthan AFB outside of Tucson. It's actually called the "Graveyard" of outmoded aircraft and includes everything from WWII up to recent times.

You need to get up to Bossier City and visit Barksdale AFB since that's closest to you.

 

[IWT]

And by the way, Barksdale AFB is home to several wings of B-52 aircraft.

Only wings?. What about the fuselages? Sorry. Bit childish, but I just had to say it.

Ian

 

[pm-r]

It's actually called the "Graveyard" of outmoded aircraft and includes everything from WWII up to recent times.

Is that the same one and place they call the US airplane Boneyard???

Hundreds of airplanes grounded at boneyard in Arizona due to the coronavirus

Hundreds of commercial airplanes were captured resting at a remote Arizona boneyard this month, their fate uncertain, after the coronavirus pandemic transformed air travel into a skeleton of its former self.

www.foxnews.com

- Patrick
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[MacInWin]

Patrick, there is a dedicated military aircraft repository at Davis-Montham AFB: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/309th_Aerospace_Maintenance_and_Regeneration_Group

Your link is just an airport near Phoenix where airlines have parked and abandoned unused aircraft. Technically, the airliners are not "preserved," just parked.

 

[MacInWin]

Here is a picture of the airplane I flew in, the A-6 Intruder, in storage there. This is called the Intruder Zipper, for obvious reasons.