FAA has used eBay and 3D printers to replace parts, Duffy says
FAA has used eBay and 3D printers to replace parts, Duffy says

President Trump’s transportation secretary said Thursday the FAA’s air traffic control system “truly is 25, 35, 40 years old in some places.”
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Truth Analysis
Analysis Summary:
The article's core claim about the FAA using eBay and 3D printers for replacement parts is supported by multiple sources, although the details are somewhat vague. The age of the FAA's equipment is also corroborated. The article exhibits a moderate bias by presenting the information in a way that highlights the FAA's perceived shortcomings, potentially to support a political narrative.
Detailed Analysis:
- Claim:** FAA uses eBay and 3D printers to replace parts.
- Verification Source #1 and #3 support the claim that the FAA has resorted to buying parts on eBay due to the age of its equipment.
- The use of 3D printers is implied but not explicitly confirmed by the provided sources.
- Claim:** The FAA's air traffic control system is "truly is 25, 35, 40 years old in some places."
- Verification Source #4 supports this claim, quoting Duffy as saying "We use radar from the 1970s."
- Overall Tone:** The article presents these facts in a way that suggests the FAA is struggling with outdated equipment and unconventional solutions. This framing contributes to a slightly negative portrayal.
Supporting Evidence/Contradictions:
- Agreement:** Verification Source #1 and #3 both confirm the claim about the FAA using eBay for parts due to the age of its equipment.
- Agreement:** Verification Source #4 supports the claim about the age of the FAA's equipment, stating that they use radar from the 1970s.
- Lack of Coverage:** None of the provided sources explicitly confirm the use of 3D printers by the FAA, although it is implied in the title. This is a limitation of the provided sources.
- Potential Bias:** The framing of the information, particularly the emphasis on the FAA's reliance on eBay and the age of its equipment, suggests a potential bias towards highlighting the perceived inadequacies of the current system.