Clay Lacy Aviation is a business aviation company founded at Van Nuys Airport (KVNY) in 1968 by Clay Lacy.[1][2][3] Clay Lacy Aviation provides aircraft management, private air charter, aircraft maintenance, fixed-base operator (FBO) and other services to private and corporate clients.[4] The company manages a nationwide fleet of more than 100 business jet aircraft, worth more than $1.5 billion, most of which are available for domestic and international private charter.[5]
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Founded | 1968Van Nuys, California | in||||||
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Hubs | Van Nuys Airport, Los Angeles | ||||||
Secondary hubs | Boeing Field (King County International Airport), Seattle, Washington | ||||||
Fleet size | 43 | ||||||
Headquarters | Los Angeles, United States | ||||||
Key people | Brian Kirkdoffer, President and CEO | ||||||
Founder | Clay Lacy | ||||||
Employees | 500 | ||||||
Website | www | ||||||
Notes | |||||||
Services:
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Operations centers, hangar facilities, and FAA Part 145 Repair Stations are located at Van Nuys Airport,[6] McClellan–Palomar Airport (KCRQ) near San Diego,[7] and Waterbury-Oxford Airport (KOXC) near New York.[8] Managed jet aircraft are based at general aviation airports across the U.S. Clay Lacy also operates a full-service FBO at Van Nuys Airport and began operating an FBO at Orange County's John Wayne Airport in January 2021.[9][10] A Clay Lacy Aviation FBO at Waterbury-Oxford Airport, announced in 2020, is set to open in 2024.[11][12][13]
History
editIn 1968, Clay Lacy Aviation began operations as an on-demand jet charter operator at Van Nuys Airport in Los Angeles.[14] At the time it was the only jet charter company west of the Mississippi.[15] Early clients included Hollywood celebrities such as Danny Kaye, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., Carol Channing, Kirk Douglas, and Cary Grant.[16][17] Over the next decade, the company began to offer aircraft management and maintenance services, and in 1981 established the first all-jet FBO.[18]
In 2002, Clay Lacy expanded to the Pacific Northwest, with a hangar facility and full-service FBO at Boeing Field in Seattle.[19] An additional 40,000 square-foot of hangar space was completed there in 2009. In 2016, the company opened an FAA Part 145 Repair Station and expanded its Seattle capabilities to include FAA-certified private jet charter services.[20][21]
In 2006, Brian Kirkdoffer was promoted to company president.[22][23] Kirkdoffer joined Clay Lacy as a pilot in 1990. He has flown more than 10,000 hours in Learjet and Gulfstream aircraft and holds four world aeronautical speed records. He acquired majority interest in Clay Lacy Aviation in 2013, and is currently president and CEO.[24]
In 2011, the company opened a satellite office at McClellan-Palomar Airport near San Diego, adding an FAA Part 145 Repair Station in 2016.[25][26]
In 2016, Clay Lacy acquired Key Air, a long-time East Coast private aviation company, with an operations and maintenance center at Waterbury-Oxford Airport near New York. An FAA Part 145 Repair Station was certified in 2018.[27][28][29]
In 2017, the company's ground operations at Seattle's Boeing Field earned the first IS-BAH Stage II registration in North America.[30][31] IS-BAH is the International Standard for Business Aviation Handling.[32]
In 2018, Clay Lacy marked its fiftieth anniversary in April, opened its first New York office in June, and sold its Boeing Field Seattle operation in December.[33][34][35]
In January 2019, the company opened a new round-the-clock aircraft MRO (maintenance, repair and overhaul) facility at its Van Nuys Airport FAA Part 145 Repair Station.[36] In April 2019, the FAA awarded Part 145 certification to the Clay Lacy aircraft maintenance operation at Waterbury-Oxford Airport, in Oxford, Connecticut.[37]
In January 2020, Embraer expanded the authorized service center designation at Clay Lacy's Van Nuys Airport FAA Repair Station to include Embraer Legacy and Embraer Praetor business jets. Clay Lacy has been an authorized service center for Embraer Phenom 100 and Embraer Phenom 300 aircraft since 2009 and began performing 10-year inspections on those aircraft in 2019.[38][39][40]
Responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, in April 2020 Clay Lacy developed and implemented the CleanCheck health and safety standard throughout its aircraft operations, based on recommendations and best practices from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the United States Department of Transportation, and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).[41][42] Also in April, and in response to COVID-19, the company broadened its aircraft detailing capabilities with disinfecting services, available through Clay Lacy maintenance centers and mobile response teams.[43][44]
In September 2020, the Orange County Board of Supervisors concluded a four-year evaluation process and awarded Clay Lacy a thirty-five year, 15-acre leasehold to design, build, and operate a full-service FBO with hangar, office space, and private terminal at John Wayne Airport in Santa Ana, California. Operations began in January 2021.[45][46] It announced a new $95 million FBO and hangar complex at the airport, to be built in two phases.[47]
A third Clay Lacy FBO, to be developed on a 16-acre, 30-year leasehold at Waterbury-Oxford Airport, was announced by the Connecticut Airport Authority in October 2020.[48] The 40,000-square-foot hangar and FBO should open in 2024, expanding the company's operations in the northeastern United States and creating an estimated 100 new jobs.[49] An additional 120,000 square feet of aircraft maintenance and hangar space will be constructed in subsequent years.[50] The company announced its first hangar equipped with 29-foot doors to accommodate newer and larger aircraft at the site had sold out in 2023 ahead of its scheduled opening.[51]
In September 2021, Eviation Aircraft, a global manufacturer of all-electric aircraft, announced a partnership with Clay Lacy to provide electric charging as part of its Fixed Based Operator (FBO) network of services. The partnership represents the first FBO agreement that will allow charging of Eviation Alice aircraft in preparation for the plane's expected 2024 entry into service.[52][53]
In November 2021, Transport Canada certified Clay Lacy's FAA Part 145 Repair Station at Waterbury-Oxford Airport to provide aircraft maintenance services for Canadian-registered business jets.[54][55]
In November 2022, Clay Lacy Aviation was awarded the ARGUS Platinum rating for the 13th consecutive year along with the IS-BAO Stage III certification for the fifth consecutive year.[56]
The FAA recognized Clay Lacy in March 2023 as meeting the standards of the agency's safety management system voluntary program (SMSVP). The FAA validation placed the company among the top 2% of Part 135 operators in the U.S. that have completed the agency's SMSVP process and demonstrated a culture of safety promotion.[57]
In March 2024, Clay Lacy Aviation became a dealer and installer of Starlink, SpaceX's low-earth orbit satellite in-flight internet service. It will install the high-speed, global-coverage solutions at its Van Nuys and Oxford MROs.[58]
Its founder, Clay Lacy, received a lifetime achievement award from Aviation Week Network's 66th Laureate Awards, held in March 2024. The award recognized his career milestones and aviation achievements, including Lacy being "instrumental in launching the business jet era."[59]
Sustainability strategy and carbon-neutral operations
editClay Lacy began executing a comprehensive nationwide sustainability strategy in 2020, partnering with World Kinect Energy Services, a subsidiary of World Fuel Services.[60][61] Clay Lacy's strategy addresses every aspect of ground and flight operations at each of its facilities, as well as offering sustainability and carbon offset programs for customers. The strategy “incorporates renewable energy and sustainable fuels such as Renewable Diesel (RD) and Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). It also establishes new sustainable purchasing strategies, EV charging stations and the use of carbon credits to offset emissions that cannot otherwise be reduced.”[62]
In January 2021, Clay Lacy completed the installation of a 30,000-square-foot solar panel array at its Van Nuys Airport headquarters, These solar panels will offset the equivalent of 500 metric tons of CO2 annually. Additionally, 200 conventional lighting fixtures were replaced with LED fixtures, and 44 electric vehicle charging stations were installed on the property.[63][64]
In February 2021, 4AIR, a sustainability rating program for private aviation, selected Clay Lacy as its first official rating partner, providing carbon neutral validation of the company's facilities for 2020, and awarding “the first-ever carbon emissions offset rating for FBO and maintenance repair and overhaul facilities.” [65][66] 4AIR gave its carbon neutral rating to Clay Lacy's facilities in Van Nuys, San Diego and Orange County, California, Seattle, Washington, and Oxford, Connecticut. Going forward, 4AIR will also evaluate and validate the company's carbon offset programs, as well as reductions from solar energy and renewable fuel use.[67]
In March 2021, the company began offering SAF from World Fuel Services at its Van Nuys Airport and John Wayne Orange County Airport FBOs.[68][69][70][71] Also in March, Air Elite announced that the Clay Lacy FBO at Van Nuys Airport has been carbon neutral since 2019.[72][73]
In December 2021, Clay Lacy became the first company certified to the National Air Transportation Association’s Sustainability Standard for Aviation Businesses. This initiative was created to encourage FBOs, airports, and other aviation businesses to pursue flexible, cost-effective options to lower their carbon footprint.[74][75]
In April 2022, Clay Lacy received certification from the United States Environmental Protection Agency's Green Power Partnership, a program that supports business and organizations that voluntarily adopt the use of renewable energy, one of the first in the industry to be so recognized.[76]
In January 2024, Clay Lacy partnered with two electric aircraft companies to install air taxi chargers at its FBOs. The installation of electrical infrastructure to support Joby's Global Electric Aviation Charging System (GEACS) will be part of Clay Lacy's FBO at John Wayne Airport.[77] It also plans to develop concept of operations and charging infrastructure for eVTOL manufacturer Overair at its Van Nuys and Orange County locations.[78]
Aviation training and education scholarships
editIn addition to direct donations to aviation training and educational programs,[79] Clay Lacy offers pilot scholarships through the John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences at the University of North Dakota[80] and Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa, California,[81] as well as aviation scholarships through the Flight Path Museum and Learning Center in Los Angeles,[82] and Gold Stars to Blue Skies, a program which helps the children of fallen U.S. Marines.[83] Scholarships are also available to students attending the LAUSD's North Valley Occupational Center Aviation Mechanics School[84] and the Connecticut Aerotech School in Hartford, Connecticut.[83] The company supports educational efforts through events such as Aviation Career Day at Van Nuys Airport, and mentoring and job shadowing programs.[85][86]
Fleet
editAircraft | In Fleet |
Passengers | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
Bombardier Challenger 300 | 5 | 8 | |
Bombardier Challenger 600 | 1 | 7 | |
Bombardier Global Express 5000 | 2 | 13 | |
Bombardier Global Express 6000 | 1 | 16 | |
Bombardier Global Express | 1 | 15 | |
Citation Ultra | 1 | 7 | |
Cessna CE-750 (Citation X) | 1 | 8 | |
Dassault Falcon 2000 | 7 | 8 | |
Dassault Falcon 900 | 2 | 11 | |
Dassault Falcon 7X | 2 | 12 | |
Embraer Legacy 600 | 2 | 13 | |
Gulfstream 150 | 1 | 7 | |
Gulfstream G280 | 1 | 9 | |
Gulfstream IV | 6 | 13 or 14 | |
Gulfstream G550 | 4 | 12 or 14 | |
Gulfstream G-650 | 2 | 16 | |
Gulfstream V | 1 | 14 | |
Hawker Siddeley HS.125 | 1 | 8 | |
Hawker HS-125-850XP | 1 | 8 | |
Pilatus PC-24 | 1 | 6 | |
Total | 43 |
Safety and operational certifications
edit- FAR Part 135 Air Carrier Certificate BKEA492C[88]
- FAR Part 145 Repair Station BKER301L – Los Angeles, California[89]
- FAR Part 145 Repair Station 4XGR883C – San Diego, California[89]
- FAR Part 145 Repair Station 81CR317D – Oxford, Connecticut[89]
- ARGUS Platinum[90]
- Wyvern Wingman[91]
- International Standard for Business Aviation Operations (IS-BAO) Stage III[92]
- FAA Safety Management System Voluntary Program (SMSVP) validation[93]
References
edit- ^ “Van Nuys Airport's Clay Lacy Aviation breaks ground on major expansion,” by Dana Bartholomew, "Los Angeles Daily News," February 12, 2015 [1]
- ^ “Lacy, Clay, Pilot/Entrepreneur, Enshrined 2010,” The National Aviation Hall of Fame [2]
- ^ “Moon Astronaut and Aviation Hall of Fame Pilot to be Honored at Palm Springs Air Museum Gala,” by Ann Greer, “Desert Sun,” January 29, 2018 [3]
- ^ “Aviation Pros Buyers Guide,”
- ^ “Clay Lacy Aviation Charter Activity Growing,” by Molly McMillin, “Aviation Week,” Feb 12, 2018 [4]
- ^ “Clay Lacy Aviation, Inc.”, “Air Charter Guide”
- ^ “Clay Lacy,” “Ranch & Coast,” December 1, 2016
- ^ “Waterbury-Oxford Airport, Connecticut Airport Authority
- ^ “Clay Lacy Aviation, KVNY Van Nuys Airport,” Paragon Aviation Group
- ^ “Clay Lacy Aviation Awarded FBO Lease at John Wayne Airport, Orange County,” Yahoo! News, September 23, 2020 [5]
- ^ “Connecticut Airport Authority Announces Clay Lacy Aviation Expansion at Waterbury-Oxford Airport,” Aviation Pros, October 30, 2020 [6]
- ^ Epstein, Curt, "Clay Lacy to Open East Coast FBO,” Business Jet Traveler, November 2020 [7]
- ^ Le Marquand, Yves, "Clay Lacy Waterbury-Oxford Expansion 'on track' for 2024 Opening," Corporate Jet Investor, October 2023 [8]
- ^ Geere, Stacy T. (2010). Lucky Me: The Life and Flights of Veteran Aviator Clay Lacy. Van Nuys: The Donning Company Publishers. ISBN 978-1-57864-635-7., page 81
- ^ “Jet service pioneer at Van Nuys Airport gets Howard Hughes honor,” by Dan Weikel, “Los Angeles Times,” February 9, 2012 [9]
- ^ Geere. Lucky Me. p. 80
- ^ “Lear Jet: 50th Anniversary Milestone, The story behind an iconic aviation photograph,” by Stephen Pope, “Flying,” July 6, 2016 [10]
- ^ ““The Air Elite Network welcomes Clay Lacy Aviation,” by Terry Spruce, “Corporate Jet Investor,” November 18, 2015 [11]
- ^ “Clay Lacy, API CEO Acquire FBO in Seattle at BFI,” Staff Article, “Aviation Week,” September 9, 2002 [12]
- ^ “Clay Lacy Aviation-Seattle Expands Maintenance Offerings with Newly-Awarded FAA Part 145 Repair Station Certification,” “DOM, Director of Maintenance,” April 29, 2016 [13]
- ^ “Clay Lacy Aviation,” FlightAware
- ^ “Clay Lacy has a new boss,” AIN Staff, “Aviation International News,” November 14, 2006 [14]
- ^ “Executive Profile: Brian Kirkdoffer, President & CEO, Clay Lacy Aviation,” Bloomberg [15]
- ^ “Clay Lacy Aviation's Key to Sky-High Success,” “CSQ," January 1, 2017
- ^ “Clay Lacy Aviation opens at CRQ,” by Janice Wood, “General Aviation News,” September 27, 2011 [16]
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- ^ “Clay Lacy Aviation, Key Air to Merge,” by Chad Trautvetter, “Aviation International News,” September 14, 2016 [17]
- ^ “Clay Lacy Merges With East Coast Aviation Firm,” by Mark Madler, “San Fernando Valley Business Journal,” September 14, 2016 [18]
- ^ “Clay Lacy opens maintenance facility at KOXC,” Staff Article, “General Aviation News,” April 18, 2018 [19]
- ^ “Clay Lacy Aviation Earns IS-BAH Stage II Safety Registration,” William Garvey, Jessica A. Salerno and Molly McMillin, “Aviation Week,” September 22, 2017 [20]
- ^ “Clay Lacy BFI Gets First North American IS-BAH Stage II,” Curt Epstein, “Aviation International News,” July 11, 2017 [21]
- ^ “Introducing IS-BAH,” International Business Aviation Council
- ^ “Clay Lacy Aviation Celebrates 50 Years at VNY,” by Alexa Rexroth, “Aviation International News,” March 28, 2018 [22]
- ^ “Private jet company Clay Lacy opens first office in New York,” by Anthony Notto, “New York Business Journal,” June 27, 2018 [23]
- ^ "Modern Aviation Acquires Clay Lacy FBO in Seattle," Jerry Siebenmark, "Aviation International News," December 28, 2018 [24]
- ^ Epstein, Carl (February 14, 2019), “Clay Lacy Debuts New VNY MRO Facility, AINonline [25]
- ^ Lynch, Kerry (May 29, 2019), “Clay Lacy's OXC Site Gets Part 145 Approval, AINonline [26]
- ^ “Embraer Expands Clay Lacy Service Center Authorization to include Legacy and Praetor Aircraft,” Aviation Pros, January 14, 2020 [27]
- ^ Siebenmark, Jerry, “Clay Lacy Adds Legacy, Praetor To Embraer Mx Bona Fides,” AINonline, January 15, 2020 [28]
- ^ Siebenmark, Jerry, “10-year Phenom Inspections Keep Clay Lacy Aviation Busy,” AIN Online, May 20, 2020 [29]
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- ^ “Clay Lacy Aviation Sets New CleanCheck Standard as Commitment to Health and Safety," AVIATION PROS, May 5, 2020 [31]
- ^ Epstein, Curt, “CLAY LACY ADDS DISINFECTION SERVICES,” Business Jet Traveler, April 2020 [32]
- ^ "CLAY LACY LAUNCHES AIRCRAFT CLEANING AND DISINFECTING SERVICES," Aero News Network, April 29, 2020 [33]
- ^ Madler, Mark, “Clay Lacy to Build FBO in Orange County,” San Fernando Valley Business Journal, September 23, 2020 [34]
- ^ “Clay Lacy Aviation Awarded FBO Lease at John Wayne Airport, Orange County,” BUSINESS INSIDER, September 23, 2020 [35]
- ^ Epstein, Curt, "Clay Lacy Bets Big on New FBOs," Aviation International, October 18, 2022 [36]
- ^ “Connecticut Airport Authority Announces Clay Lacy Aviation Expansion at Waterbury-Oxford Airport,” October 29, 2020 [37]
- ^ Gosselin, Kenneth R., “Private jet servicer to expand, add jobs at Waterbury-Oxford Airport,” Hartford Courant, October 29, 2020 [38]
- ^ Missakian, Natalie, “Aviation firm building $20M complex at Waterbury-Oxford Airport,” New Haven Biz, October 30, 2020 [39]
- ^ Kariuki, Jeremy, "Clay Lacy Sells Out $20M Hangar Space at Waterbury-Oxford Airport," Aviation Week, October 6, 2023, [40]
- ^ “Clay Lacy prepares to charge up Eviation Alices,” Business Air News, September 17, 2021 [41]
- ^ Alcock, Charles, “CLAY LACY TEAMS WITH EVIATION TO PROVIDE ELECTRIC AIRCRAFT RECHARGING STATIONS,” Future Flight, September 15, 2021 [42]
- ^ Siebenmark, Jerry, “Transport Canada Gives Mx Nod to Clay Lacy KOXC,” AINOnline, November 10, 2021 [43]
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- ^ "Clay Lacy Aviation has been awarded the ARGUS Platinum rating for the 13th consecutive year". Globalair.com. Retrieved 2022-11-02.
- ^ Lynch, Kerry, "Clay Lacy Earns FAA's SMS Voluntary Program Recognition," AIN Online, March 29, 2023 [45]
- ^ Thurber, Matt, "Clay Lacy Aviation Adds Starlink Satcom Dealership," Aviation International News, March 5, 2024 [46]
- ^ "Winners Announced for Aviation Week Network's Annual Laureate Awards," Aviation Week [47]
- ^ Traytvetter, Chad, “Clay Lacy Taps World Kinect for Sustainability Program” AINonline, February 11, 2020 [48]
- ^ “Clay Lacy Partners with World Kinect Energy Services to Develop Sustainability Program,” Air Charter Journal,” February 10, 2020 [49]
- ^ “Air Elite Network Welcomes Clay Lacy Aviation's Newest FBO Location in Orange County, Clay Lacy leading in sustainability with World Kinect Energy Services,” AIR ELITE NEWS, March 25, 2021 [50]
- ^ New solar panels help Clay Lacy work towards zero carbon footprint,” February 13, 2021, General Aviation News [51]
- ^ ”Clay Lacy Works Toward Net-Zero Carbon Footprint with Solar Panels, LED Lighting at Van Nuys Airport Headquarters,” Aviation Pros, February 10, 2021 [52]
- ^ Spruce, Terry, “4AIR Announces Clay Lacy Aviation as Official Rating Partner, Validating Its Facilities as Carbon Neutral and Offsets of Aircraft Carbon Emissions,” Corporate Jet Investor, February 19, 2021 [53]
- ^ Buss, Dale, “8 Companies Bringing Innovative Ideas To Private Aviation,” Chief Executive, May 25, 2021, [54]
- ^ “Clay Lacy becomes 4AIR early adopter,” Business Air News, February 22, 2021 [55]
- ^ Boatman, Julie, “NetJets, Clay Lacy Aviation Make Moves Towards Sustainability, with commitments to SAF and efficient operations, the two leaders add to the solutions for the environment,” Flying Magazine, February 16, 2021 [56]
- ^ Sapp, Megan, “Clay Lacy Aviation to offer World Fuel SAF at two California Regional Airports,” Biofuels Digest, March 23, 2021, [57]
- ^ Robertson, Edward, “Clay Lacy Aviation goes green with cleaner fuel deal,” Executive and VIP Aviation International, March 22, 2021 [58]
- ^ Epstein, Curt, “Clay Lacy's California FBOs To Stock SAF,” AINonline, March 22, 2021 [59]
- ^ Saunders, Eddie, “43 Air Elite Network Members Achieve Carbon Neutrality,” Executive and VIP Aviation International, March 19, 2021 [60]
- ^ ”43 Air Elite Network Members Achieve Carbon Neutrality,” Business Air News, March 18, 2021 [61]
- ^ Epstein, Curt, “Clay Lacy Earns First NATA Sustainability Certification,” AINOnline, December 14, 2021 [62]
- ^ “Clay Lacy Certifies To Sustainability Standard,” Aviation Week, December 15, 2021 [63]
- ^ Epstein, Curt, "EPA Recognizes Clay Lacy's Sustainability Efforts," Aviation International, April 22, 2022, [64]
- ^ Daleo, Jack, "Joby, Clay Lacy Aviation Bring First Electric Air Taxi Charger to Southern California," Flying Magazine, January 8, 2024 [65]
- ^ Goldstein, Ben, "Overair, Clay Lacy Plan AAM Ops from California FBOs," Aviation Week, January 24, 2024 [66]
- ^ “Two corporate jets donated to mechanics school at Van Nuys Airport,” by Dan Weikel, “Los Angeles Times,” June 5, 2014 [67]
- ^ “Clay Lacy Scholarships Announced,” Aero News Network, May 2, 2002
- ^ “Private jet company establishes scholarship for Orange Coast College aviation students,” by Louis Casiano, “Orange County Register,” May 10, 2017 [68]
- ^ Flight Path Museum, Education
- ^ a b Epstein, Curt, "Clay Lacy Aviation Ups Scholarship Commitment to $500,000," Aviation International, March 6, 2023,[69]
- ^ “Clay Lacy Awards 22 Scholarships,” Staff Article, “General Aviation News,” February 8, 2017 [70]
- ^ “1,500 Students Explore Aviation Careers at Van Nuys Airport,” by Rob Mark, “Flying,” May 3, 2018 [71]
- ^ “Clay Lacy Scholarship Funds Awarded to 26 Students at LAUSD Aircraft Mechanic School and Orange Coast College Pilot Program,” AVIATION PROS, June 11, 2020 [72]
- ^ Clay Lacy Aviation aircharterguide.com; retrieved 4 April 2022
- ^ U.S. Certificated Air Carriers, U.S. Department of Transportation
- ^ a b c Federal Aviation Administration
- ^ “ARGUS Operator Registry
- ^ “Wingman Directory, Wyvern, Ltd
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- ^ [74]