[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 93 (Thursday, May 13, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Page 26644]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-10817]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration


Transition to Docket Management System

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of policy change.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This notice announces a transition that will make docket files 
for future airworthiness directives (AD) available on the Internet. The 
docket files will be available in the DOT's Docket Management System 
(DMS).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Linda S. Walker, Program Manager, 
Federal Aviation Administration, Aircraft Certification Service, 
Aircraft Engineering Division, Delegations and Airworthiness Programs 
Branch, AIR-140, Room, 813, 800 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, 
DC 20591; telephone (202) 267-9592; fax (202) 267-5340; e-mail: 
[email protected].

Background

    In mid-May, the FAA will make change that will make docket files 
for future AD actions easier for you to access. With the exception of 
some AD actions already in process, we will be placing the docket files 
for many of our AD actions into the DMS on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov/. You can continue to view AD docket files for previously 
issued ADs in the office of the issuing Directorate or in the Office of 
the Assistant Chief Counsel for the issuing Directorate.
    The DMS is an electronic, image-based database in which DOT stores 
the docketed material for DOT rulemaking activities for you to view. 
This online database contains more than 1.2 million pages of regulatory 
and adjudicatory information for easy research and retrieval. Anyone 
with Internet access can submit comments on rulemaking activities 
electronically to the DMS and view comments already submitted.
    The AD docket files contain justification documents that support an 
AD action. Once we begin placing AD dockets on the DMS, all material 
routinely part of the AD docket file will be available electronically 
with the exception of any materials that for any reason cannot be 
scanned. Materials that cannot be scanned will be maintained in the 
office of the issuing Directorate or in the Office of the Assistant 
Chief Counsel for the issuing Directorate.
    This policy will apply to future docket files. You can continue to 
view the docket files of, and submit comments on, previous AD actions 
that are not maintained in the DMS, at the addresses indicated in the 
AD actions. We will not transfer existing paper dockets to the DMS. If 
you do not have Internet access, each AD action published in the 
Federal Register will contain the physical address of the DMS for 
viewing any AD docket information, and for submitting any comments on 
that action.
    We will continue to publish AD actions in the Federal Register.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on May 5, 2004.
Susan J.M. Cabler,
Assistant Manager, Aircraft Engineering Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 04-10817 Filed 5-12-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M