When ERAM is operational, which aircraft must have strips posted in the strip bay?

The correct answer highlights that when the En Route Automation Modernization (ERAM) system is operational, it specifically requires nonradar flights and any flights that are excluded from ERAM, such as those not using radar services, to have strips posted in the strip bay.

This practice is essential because nonradar flights, which might be operating under visual flight rules (VFR) or other air traffic control protocols, still need to be effectively monitored and coordinated within the air traffic system. The inclusion of ERAM-excluded flights ensures that those aircraft, which may not be captured in the electronic system, are still accounted for and managed properly by air traffic control personnel.

By having strips for these aircraft in the strip bay, controllers can maintain situational awareness and ensure safe separation from all types of traffic, effectively integrating them into the larger flow of airspace management. This ensures a holistic overview of air traffic in the sector. In contrast, radar flights are typically tracked electronically, which diminishes the need for physical strips in the bay.