### September 24, 2015

Exemption No. 12983 Regulatory Docket No. FAA

− 20 15

− 1308

Mr. Bill Palmatary

Owner Aerial West, LLC 834 15th Place, Suite B Hermosa Beach, C A 90254

Dear Mr. Palmatary :

This letter is to inform you that we have granted your request for exemption. It transmits our decision, explains its basis, and gives you the conditions and limitations of the exemption, including the date it ends.

By letter s dated April 18 and August 4, 2015

, you petitioned the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on behalf of Aerial West, LLC ( hereinafter petitioner or operator ) for an exemption . The petitioner requested to operate an unmanned ai rcraft system (UAS) to

conduct agricultural surveying, 3d mapping, aerial video/photography or providing live video feed, closed set film cinematography, sUAS operator train ing 1 

### , real estate photography, product demonstrations, and research and development

.

See Appendix A for the petition submitted to the FAA des cribing the proposed operations and

the regulations that the petitioner seeks an exemption

.

The FAA has determined that good cause exists for not publishing a summary of the petition in the Federal Register because the requested exemption would not set a precedent, and any delay in acting on this petition would be detrimental to the petitioner

. However, the FAA received three comments in support of the petition made to the docket.

1 The petitioner requested authority to conduct UAS training. At this time, the FAA is unable to authorize UAS operations for training until a further assessment is completed. When the FAA completes its review, we will proceed accordingly and no further action will be required by the petitioner. However, the petiti oner is permitted to train its own pilot in commands and visual observers in accordance with condition no. 14 and the other conditions and limitations in this exemption.

### 2

Airworthiness Certification

The UAS proposed by the petitioner are the DJI Phantom 3, DJI Inspire 1, DJI S 900, and DJI

S1000

.

The petitioner requested relief from 14 CFR part 21, C ertification procedures for products and parts, Subpart H

— Airworthiness Certificates

. In accordance with the statutory criteria provided in Section 333 of P ublic Law 112

− 95 in reference to 49 U

. S

. C

. § 44704, and in consideration of the size, weight, speed, and limited operating area associated with the

aircraft and its operation, the Secretary of Transportation has determined that this aircraft

meets the conditions of Section 333. Therefore, the FAA finds that the requested relief from

14 CFR part 21

, C ertification procedures for products and parts, Subpart H

— Airworthiness Certificates , and any associated noise certification and testing requirements of part 36, is

not necessary.

The Basis for Our Decision

You have requested to use a UAS for aerial data collection 2 

### and closed set motion picture and filming

. The FAA has issued grants of exemption in circumstances similar in all material respects to those presented in your petition. In Grants of Exemption No s

. 11062 to Astraeus Aerial ( see Docket No. FAA−2014−0352), 11109 to Clayco, Inc. ( see Docket No.

FAA

− 2014

− 0507), 11112 to VDOS Global, LLC ( see Docket No. FAA−2014−0382), and

11213 to Aeryon Lab s , Inc. ( see Docket No. FAA−2014−0642), the FAA found that the enhanced safety achieved using an unmanne d aircraft (UA) with the specifications described by the petitioner and carrying no passengers or crew, rather than a manned aircraft of significantly greater proportions, carrying crew in addition to flammable fuel, gives the FAA good cause to find that t he UAS operation enabled by this exemption is in the public interest.

Having reviewed your reasons for requesting an exemption, I find that

—

 They are similar in all material respects to relief previously requested in Grant of Exemption Nos. 11062, 11109, 11112, and 11213 ;

 The reasons stated by the FAA for granting Exemption Nos. 11062, 11109, 11112, and

11213 also apply to the situation you present; and

 A grant of exemption is in the public interest.

2 Aerial data collection includes any remote sensing and measuring by an instrument(s) aboard the UA. Examples include imagery (photography, video, infrared, etc.), electronic measurement (precision surveying, RF analysis, etc.), chemical measurement (part iculate measurement, etc.), or any other gathering of data by

instruments aboard the UA.

### 3

Our Decision

In consideration of the foregoing, I find that a grant of exemption is in the public interest. Therefore, pursuant to the authority contained in 49 U.S.C. 106(f), 40113, and 44701, delegated to me by the Administrator, Aerial West, LLC is granted an exemp tion from

14 CFR §§ 61.23(a) and ( c ), 61.101(e)(4 ) and (5), 61.113(a), 61.315(a) , 91.7(a), 91.119(c), 91.121, 91.151(a)(1), 91.405(a), 91.407(a)(1), 91.409(a)(1) and (2), and 91.417(a) and (b), to the extent necessary to allow the petitioner to operate a U AS to perform aerial data collection and closed set motion picture and filming

. This exemption is subject to the conditions and

limitations listed below.

Conditions and Limitations

In this grant of exemption, Aerial West, LLC is hereafter referred to as the operator.

Failure to comply with any of the conditions and limitations of this grant of exemption will be grounds for the immediate suspension or rescission of this exemption.

1. Operations authorized by this grant of exemption are limited to the DJI Phantom 3,

DJI Inspire 1, DJI S 900, and DJI S 1000 when weighing less than 55 pounds including payload. Proposed operations of any other aircraft will require a new petition or a petition to amend this exemption

.

2. Operations for the purpose of closed

- set motion picture and television filming are permitted.

3. The UA may not be operated at a speed exceeding 87 knots (100 miles per hour). The exemption holder may use either groundspeed or calibrated airspeed to determine compliance with the 87 knot speed restriction. In no case will the UA be operated at airspeeds greater than the maximum UA operating airspeed recommended by the

aircraft manufacturer.

4. The UA must be operated at an altitude of no more than 400 f eet above ground level (AGL). Altitude must be reported in feet AGL.

5. The UA must be operated within visual line of sight (VLOS) of the PIC at all times. This requires the PIC to be able to use human vision unaided by any device other than

corrective len ses, as specified on the PIC’s FAA

- issued airman medical certificate or

U.S. driver’s license.

6. All operations must utilize a visual observer (VO). The UA must be operated within the visual line of sight (VLOS) of the PIC and VO at all times. The VO may be used to satisfy the VLOS requirement as long as the PIC always maintains VLOS capability. The VO and PIC must be able to communicate verbally at all times ;

### 4

e lectronic messaging or texting is not permitted during flight operations. The PIC

must be des ignated before the flight and cannot transfer his or her designation for the duration of the flight. The PIC must ensure that the VO can perform the duties required of the VO.

7. This exemption and all documents needed to operate the UAS and conduct its

ope rations in accordance with the conditions and limitations stated in this grant of exemption, are hereinafter referred to as the operating documents. The operating

documents must be accessible during UAS operations and made available to the

Administrator u pon request. If a discrepancy exists between the conditions and limitations in this exemption and the procedures outlined in the operating documents, the conditions and limitations herein take precedence and must be followed. Otherwise, the operator must follow the procedures as outlined in its operating documents. The operator may update or revise its operating documents. It is the operator’s responsibility to track such revisions and present updated and revised documents to the Administrator or any la w enforcement official upon request. The operator must also present updated and revised documents if it petitions for extension or amendment to this grant of exemption. If the operator determines that any update or revision would affect the basis upon wh ich the FAA granted this exemption, then the operator must petition for an amendment to its grant of exemption. The FA A’s UAS Integration Office (AFS− 80) may be contacted if questions arise regarding updates or revisions to the operating documents.

8. Any U AS that has undergone maintenance or alterations that affect the UAS operation or flight characteristics, e.g.

, replacement of a flight critical component, must undergo a functional test flight prior to conducting further operations under this exemption. Functional test flights may only be conducted by a PIC with a VO and must remain at

least 500 feet from other p eople. The functional test flight must be conducted in such a manner so as to not pose an undue hazard to persons and property.

9. The operator is responsible for maintaining and inspecting the UAS to ensure that it is in a condition for safe operation.

10. Pr ior to each flight, the PIC must conduct a pre

- flight inspection and determine the UAS is in a condition for safe flight. The pre

- flight inspection must account for all potential discrepancies, e.g.

, inoperable components, items, or equipment. If the

ins pection reveals a condition that affects the safe operation of the UAS, the aircraft is prohibited from operating until the necessary maintenance has been performed and the UAS is found to be in a condition for safe flight.

11. The operator must follow the UA S manufacturer’s maintenance, overhaul, replacement, inspection, and life limit requirements for the aircraft and

aircraft components.

### 5

12. Each UAS operated under this exemption must comply with all manufacturer safety bulletins.

13. Under this grant of exemption, a PIC must hold either an airline transport, commercial, private, recreational, or sport pilot certificate. The PIC must also hold a current FAA airman medical certificate or a valid U.S. driver’s license issued by a
state, the District of Col u mbia, Puerto Rico, a territory, a possession, or the Federal government. The PIC must also meet the flight revi ew requirements specified in

14 CFR § 61.56 in an aircraft in which the PIC is rated on his or her pilot certificate.

14. The operator may not perm it any PIC to operate unless the PIC demonstrates the ability to safely operate the UAS in a manner consistent with how the UAS will be operated under this exemption, including evasive and emergency maneuvers and maintaining appropriate distances from pers ons, vessels, vehicles and structures. PIC qualification flight hours and currency must be logged in a manner consistent with

14 CFR § 61.51(b). Flights for the purposes of training the operator’s PICs and VOs (traini ng, proficiency, and experience

- build ing) and determining the PIC’s ability to safely operate the UAS in a manner consistent with how the UAS will be operated under this exemption are permitted under the terms of this exemption. However, training operations may only be conducted during dedic ated training sessions. During

traini ng, proficiency, and experience

- building flights, all persons not essential for flight operations are considered nonparticipants, and the PIC must operate the UA with appropriate distance from nonparticipants in accord ance with 14 CFR § 91.119.

15. UAS operations may not be conducted during night, as defined in 14 CFR § 1.1. All operations must be conducted under visual meteorological conditions (VMC). Flights under special visual flight rules (SVFR) are not authorized.

16. The UA may not operate within 5 nautical miles of an airport reference point (ARP) as denoted in the current FAA Airport/Facility Directory (AFD) or for airports not denoted with an ARP, the center of the airport symbo l as denoted on the current

FAA

- publi shed aeronautical chart, unless a letter of agreement with that airport’s management is obtained or otherwise permitted by a COA issued to the exemption holder. The letter of agreement with the airport management must be made available

to the Administrator or any law enforcement official upon request.

17. The UA may not be operated less than 500 feet below or less than 2,000 feet horizontally from a cloud or when visibility is less than 3 statute miles from the PIC.

18. If the UAS loses communications or loses it s GPS sign al, the UA must return to a

pre

- determined location within the pr ivate or controlled

- access property.

19. The PIC must abort the flight in the event of unpredicted obstacles or emergencies.

### 6

20. The PIC is prohibited from beginning a flight unless (considering wind and forecast weather conditions) there is enough available power for the UA to conduct the intended operation and to operate after that for at least five minutes or with the reserve power recommended by the manufacturer if greater.

21. Air T raffic Organization (ATO) Certificate of Waiver or Authorization (COA). All operations shall be cond ucted in accordance with an ATO

- issued COA. The exemption holder may apply for a new or amended COA if it intends to conduct operations that cannot be con ducted under the terms of the attached COA

.

22. All aircraft operated in accordance with this exemption must be identified by serial number, registered in accordance with 14 CFR part 47, and have identification (N− Number) markings in accordance with 14 CFR pa rt 45, Subpart C. Markings must be as large as practicable.

23. Documents used by the operator to ensure the safe operation and flight of the UAS and any documents required under 14 CFR §§ 91.9 and 91.203 must be available to the PIC at the Ground Control Station of the UAS any time the aircraft is operating. These documents must be made available to the Administrator or any law enforcement official upon request.

24. The UA must remain clear a nd give way to all manned aviation operations and

activities at all times.

25. The UAS may not be operated by the PIC from any moving device or vehicle.

26. All Flight operations must be conducted at least 500 feet from all nonparticipating persons, vessels, v ehicles, and structures unless:

a. Barriers or structures are present that sufficiently protect nonparticipating persons

from the UA and/or debris in the event of an accident. The operator must ensure that nonparticipating persons remain under such protectio n. If a situation arises where nonparticipating persons leave such protection and are within 500 feet of the UA, flight operations must cease immediately in a manner ensuring the safety of nonparticipating persons ; and

b. The owner/controller of any vessels, vehicles or structures has granted permission for operating closer to those objects and the PIC has made a safety assessment of the risk of operating closer to those objects and determined that it does not present an undue hazard.

The PIC, VO, operator t rainees or essential persons are not considered nonparticipating persons under this exemption.

27. All operations shall be conducted over private or control led

- access property with permission from the property owner/controller or authorized representative.

### 7

P ermission from property owner/controller or authorized representative will be obtained for each flight to be conducted.

28. Any incident, accident, or flight operation that transgresses the lateral or vertical boundaries of the operational area as defined by the applicable COA must be reported

to the FA A's UAS Integration Office (AFS− 80) within 24 hours. Accidents must be reported to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) per instructions

contained on the NTSB Web site: www.ntsb.gov

.

If this exemption permits operations for the purpose of closed

- set motion picture and television filming and production, the following additional conditions and limitations apply.

29. The operator must have a m otion picture and television operations manual (MPTOM) as documented in this grant of exemption.

30. At least 3 days before aerial filming, the operator of the UAS affected by this exemption must submit a written Plan of Activities to the local Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) with jurisdiction over the a rea of proposed filming. The 3

- day notification may be waived with the concurrence of the FSDO. The plan of activities must include at least the following:

a. Dates and times for all flights;

b. Name and phone number of the operator for the UAS aerial filming conducted under this grant of exemption;

c. Name and phone number of th e person responsible for the on

- scene operation of the UAS;

d. Make, model, and serial or N− Number of UAS to be used;

e. Name and cer tificate number of UAS PICs involved in the aerial filming;

f. A statement that the operator has obtained permission from property owners and/or local officials to conduct the filming production event; the list of those who gave permission must be made availa ble to the inspector upon request;

g. Signature of exemption holder or representative; and

h. A description of the flight activity, including maps or diagrams of any area, city, town, county, and/or state over which filming will be conducted and the altitudes

es sential to accomplish the operation.

31. Flight operations may be conducted closer than 500 feet from participating persons consenting to be involved and necessary for the filming production, as specified in the exemption holder’s MPTOM.

Unless otherwise spe cified in this grant of exemption, the UAS, the UAS PIC, and the UAS operations must comply with all applicable parts of 14 CFR including, but not limited to,

parts 45, 47, 61, and 91.

### 8

This exemption terminates on October 31

, 2017 , unless sooner superse ded or rescinded.

Sincerely,

/ s/

John S. Duncan Director, Flight Standards Service

EnclosuresApril 18

, 2 0 1 5

U

. S

. Depa rt men t o f Tr an s po r t a t i o n

D o c ket Ma n ag e ment S y s t em

1200 N ew Je r sey A v e. S E

W ash i n g t on, D C 2 0 590

Re : E xe m p ti on R equest S e c ti on 333 o f t he F A A R e f o r m A c t

D ear Si r/ M a d a m :

T h i s pe t i t i on i s b e i ng s u b m i tt ed on our o w n b eh a l f w i t hout l e g a l cou n s e l or cons u l t i n g se r v i ces.
P u r s u ant t o S ec t i on 3 33 o f t he F A A M o de r n i z a t i on a n d R e f o r m A ct of 2 012 (t h e “ R e f o r m A c t ” ) , and

14 C

. F

. R

. P a r t 11, Aerial West

, LLC ( “ A erial W est” )

, a C alifornia b a sed li m i t ed l i a b i l i t y company

ope r a ti ng a S ma l l U n m an ned A i r c r a f t S y s t em ( “ s UA S ” ) e q u i p p ed t o co n duct a e r i al p ho t og r aphy and

su r v ey f or v a r i ous i n d us tri es, he r eby ap p l i es f or a n ex e m p t i on f r o m t he F ede r al A v i a t i on R e g u l a t i o ns ( “ F A R s ” ) l i s t ed be l ow t o a l l ow ope r a ti on o f our s U A S c o mme r c i a l l y i n a i r s p ace r egu l a t ed by t he

F e d e r al A v i a t i o n A d m i n i s tr a ti on ( “ F AA ” ) so l o n g as su c h ope r a t i ons a r e co n duc t e d w i t h and u n der

t he c o nd i t i ons ou t li n ed he r e i n or as m ay be es t a b l i s h ed by t he F A A as r eq u i r ed by S ec ti on 3 3 3.

T he r e q ues t e d ex e mp t i o n w ou l d p e r m i t Aerial West t o pu r sue i t s comme r c i al i nterests i n p r o v i d i ng

s e r v i ces t o con su m e r s’ i n t e r e s t ed ae ri al d a t a cap t u r e us i ng a s m a l l a d v anced s U A S i n t he f o l l o wi ng

a r e as:

• A g ri c u l t u r al S u r v e y i ng

• 3D Mapping

• Aerial video/photography or providing live video feed

• Closed Set Film Cinematography

• s U A S O p e r a t or T r a i n i ng

• R e a l E s t a t e P h o t og r a phy

• P r od u ct D e mons tr a ti ons

• R e s ea r ch and D e v e l op m e nt

A erial W est s t a t es t hat a l l s U A S f li g h t s t hat w i l l occur o v er p r i v a t e or con tr o l l ed acc es s p r ope rt y w il l do

s o w i t h t he p r ope rt y o w ne r ' s p r i or c o nsent a n d k no w l e d ge and t hat o n l y peo p l e w ho ha v e con s en t ed or

o t he rw i se h a v e ag r e e d t o be i n t he a r e a w he r e p h o t og r a p hy and v i deog r a p h y w il l t ake p l ace wi l l be

cap t u r e d.

A erial W est understands the proper roles of an observer, communication procedures, proper visual

scan techniques, operations at non

- towered airports, and appropria te sections of the Aeronautical
Information Manual.R e g u l a t i o ns f r o m w h i ch t h e ex e m p t i on i s r eq u es t ed:

14 C

. F

. R

. P a r t 21

14 C

. F

. R

. 45

. 23 ( b)

14 C

. F

. R

. 61

. 1 1 3 ( a) and ( b)

14 C

. F

. R

. 91

. 7 ( a)

14 C

. F

. R

. 91

. 9 ( b) ( 2)

14 C

. F

. R

. 91

. 1 0 9

14 C

. F

. R

. 91

. 119

14 C

. F

. R

. 91

. 1 2 1

14 C

. F

. R

. 91

. 1 5 1 ( a)

14 C

. F

. R

. 91

. 2 0 3 ( a) & ( b)

14 C

. F

. R

. 91

. 2 0 5 ( b)

14 C

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. R

. 91

. 2 1 5

14 C

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. ( 91

. 401

- 91

. 41 7)

U n man n ed A i r c r a f t S y s t em

s U A S a r e a f e as i b l e me t h od t o ob t a i n i n f o r ma t i on o f ag r i c u l t u r a l c r o p l a n d t o de t e r m i n e op ti m u m
i n p u t s t hat r esu l t i n cost s a v i ngs t o f a r me r s, y i e l d se cu r i t y

, and r educe e n v i r o n m e n t al i m p a ct of

exce s s f e rtil i z e r s and c he m i c a l s i n t he so i l

.

W e a r e pe t i t i o n i n g f or e x e m p t i on t o e n a b l e A erial W est t o o pe r a t e a D JI Phantom 3 mu l t i

- r o t or

eq u i p p ed w i t h a t h r ee

- a x i s g i m b a l e d c a m e r a, a D JI Insp i r e 1 mu l t i

- r o t or eq u i p p ed w i t h a t h r ee

- a x i s

g i m b a l ed c a me r a, a D JI S

- 900 m u l t i

- r o t or eq u i p ped w i t h a t h r ee

- a x i s g i mb a l ed came r a, and a D JI

S

- 1000 m u l t i

- r o t or eq u i p ped w i t h a t h r ee

- a x i s g i mb a l ed came r a. T h ese s U A S a l l w e i gh l ess t h a n 25

l bs

. , ha v e a b u il t

- i n ca p ab il i t y t o l i m i t t he he i ght i t f l i e s abo v e t he g r ou n d, t o l i m i t t he r ad i u s of t he

d i s t a nce i t fli es f r o m t he o pe r a t or a n d t o exc l ude i t f r o m Cl a ss B

, C and D a i r sp a ce i n c l u d i n g a no
f l y z one f e a t u r e. E ach s y s t em a l s o h as t he f a i l s a f e f unc t i on o f t he au t o p i l ot s y s t e m

, w h i ch m e ans

w h e n t he c o mmun i ca ti on be tw e e n t he Ma i n C on tr o l l er and t he t r an s m i tt er i s l os t ; t he s y s t em w i l l

au t o ma t i c a l l y t r i gger R e t u r n t o H o m e an d w i l l l a n d s a f e l y

.

T he a bo v e spe c i fi c a t i o ns m e et s t anda r ds l i s t ed b e l o w

, so m e d e r i v ed i n a cco r d ance w i t h t he M o d e l

Ai r c r a f t O pe r a t i ng S t an d a r ds:

• T he p e t i t i o ner wi l l o n l y o p e r a t e i t s s UA S i n li n e of s i ght of a p i l ot and / or ob s e r v er and

w il l ope r a t e at s i t es t hat a r e a “ s u f f i c i ent d i s t a n c e” f r o m p o p u l a t ed a r eas w i t h i n t he s t e ri l e

a r ea de s c r i b ed i n t he ope r a t o r s man u a l

. S u ch o p e r a t i ons wi l l i nsu r e t hat t he s U A S wi l l " n ot

c r ea t e a ha z a r d t o use r s o f t he na ti on a l a i r spa c e s y s t em or t he p u b l i c

. "

• W he n fl y i n g s U A V w i t h i n 3 m i l es o f an a i r po rt

, a i rp o r t ope r a t o r s w i l l be no t i f i e d and t he

ope r a t or wi l l g i v e t he r i ght of w ay t o a v o i d fl y i n g i n t h e p r ox i m i t y of f u ll

- sc a l e a i r c r a f t

.

• Max i m u m f l i ght ti m e f or e ach o p e r a t i o n a l f li g ht w i l l be 60 m i nu t es.

• F l i gh t s wi l l b e t e r m i n a t ed at 25% ba tt e r y po w er r e s e r v e shou l d t hat o c cur p r i or t o t he 60

m i nu t e l i m i t

.• T he s U A V wi l l b e p r og r a m m e d so t hat i t w i l l not be o pe r a t ed at an a l t i t u d e of n o m o r e t han

400 f eet A G L, a n d not m o r e t han 200 f eet a b o v e an el e v a t ed p l a tf o r m f r o m w h i ch f il m i ng
i s p l an n ed.

• T he s U A S o pe r a t ed by t he pe t i ti oner w e i ghs l ess t h an 55 p o un d s, i n c l u d i n g t he pa y l oad ( i

. e. c a m e r a, l e ns, and g i m b a l )

.

• T he s U A S wi l l o pe r a t e at spe e ds o f no m o r e t h a n 5 5 kno t s.

• G i v en t he sma l l s i z e o f t he s U A S a nd t he r es tri c t ed s t e r i l e en v i r o n ment w i t h i n w h i ch t hey

w il l ope r a t e, our s U A S op e r a t i o n s ad h e r e t o t he R e fo r m A c t ' s s a f e t y r equ i r e men t s.

U n d er t he r eq u es t ed e xe m p t i on A erial W est e n su r es t hat a l l o pe r a t o r s h a v e c o m p l e t ed a sma l l

u n m a n ned a i r c r a f t s y s t ems ( U A S ) ed u ca ti on a n d tr a in i ng p r o g r a m i nc l u d i ng a l l app l i c a b l e

r egu l a t i o ns a n d g u i d a nce doc u men t s; i n c l u d i ng ae r o n au t i c al b a c kg r ou n d i n f o r m a t i on s uch as

cha rt s, N O T A M S and Ai r c r a f t C i r c u l a r s; R ad i o C o m m u n i ca t i o ns P r oce d u r es; H u man F a c t o r s a n d

C r ew R es o u r ce Ma n ag e m en t ; B a s i c S ma l l U A S A e r od y n a m i c s; W e a t h er f ac t o r s; Ai r m a n sh i p and

D e c i s i on

- m a k i ng a nd S a f e O pe r a t i ng P r oc e du r e s.

W e r es p ec t f u l l y r equest e x e m p ti on u n der S e c t i o n 3 33 t o ena b l e A erial W est t o ope r a t e sa f e, l o w

r i s k c o m m e r c i a l s UA V ope r a ti ons f or t he ac t i v i t i e s s t a t e d. A erial W est at a l l ti m es wi l l r e s pect t he

spa c e a n d p r i v acy of c i t i z ens a nd p r o pe rt y w h il st kee p i ng our s k i es s a f e.

S i nce r e l y,

Bill Palmatary

Owner

Aerial West

, L L C

834 15 th PL Suite B Hermosa Beach, Ca 90254

323

- 539

- 8828 office

818

- 429

- 1174 cellEXE M P TI O N R E QU E S T S AN D E Q U I V ALEN T LEVE L O F SA F E T Y

Aerial West r e qu es t s an ex e mp t i o n f r o m t h e f o ll o w i n g r eg u l a ti ons as w e l l a s any
ad d i t i o n al r e gu l a t i o ns t hat m ay t ech n i c a l l y app l y to t he ope r a t i on o f t he s U A V S y s t e m :

14 C FR P a r t 21, A i r w o r t h i ness C e r t i f i c a t e s
T h i s pa r t es t a b l i shes t h e p r ocedu r es f or t he i s s ua n c e of an a i rw o rt h i ne s s ce rtif i ca t e. W h il e t he F A A

con t i n ues t o w o r k t o de v e l op a i rw o rt h i n e ss s t an d a r d s f or U n m a n ned A e ri al S y s t ems, w e r equest an

expe r i m en t a l ce rtif i ca t e b e i ssu e d f or t he D JI P h a n t o m 2 V i s i on p l u s, D JI S

- 90 0, D JI I nsp i r e, a nd

RF

- 70 s U A S u n der e i t h er or bo t h of t he f o ll o w i n g p r o v i s i o ns:

21

. 191 E x p er i m e n t al c e r t i f i c a t e s

.

E x p e ri m e n t al c e rt i f i c a t es a r e i s s ued f or t he f o l l o wi n g pu r po s es:

( a ) R e s ear c h a n d d e v e l op m e n t

. T es ti ng n ew a i r c r a f t d es i g n co n cep t s, new

a i r c r a f t eq u i p men t

, new a ir c r a f t i n s t a l l a ti ons, new a i r c r a f t o p e r a t i n g t ech n i q u e s

, or

new uses f or a i r c r a f t

. (b) S ho w i n g c o m p li a n c e w it h r e gu l a ti o n s. C on d uc t i ng f l i g ht t es t s and o t her

ope r a ti ons t o s how c o mp li ance w i t h t h e a i rw o rt h i n es s r egu l a t i o ns i nc l u d i ng f l i g h t s t o show

c o m p li a nce f or i s su a nce o f t y pe and sup p l e men t a l t y pe ce rti fi c a t es, f l i gh t s t o subs t an t i a t e

m a j or d e s i gn ch a ng e s, and f l i g h t s t o show c o m p l i an c e w i t h t he f unc t i on a n d r e l i ab il i t y

r equ i r e m en t s of t he r eg u l a ti ons. Si n ce t he e xp e ri m e n t a l ce rtif i ca t e c an b e used f or

c o m m e r c i a l p u r po s es s u c h as ma r k et s u r v e y s, sa l e s d e mons tr a ti ons, a nd c u s t o m er c r ew
tr a i n i ng, w e w ou l d exp e ct t hat an expe r i men t a l ce r t i f i ca t e w o u l d pe r m i t our comme r c i al

pu r po s e as w e l l

. T h e a i r c r a f t w i l l not ca rr y pe r so n s o r p r ope rt y

, w il l not ca rr y f ue l

, and wi l l

on l y f l y under s tr i ct o p e r a t i o n al r e q u i r e m e n t s. C o mb i ned w i t h t he U A ' s l i ght w e i gh t

, be i ng

cons tr uc t e d p ri ma ri l y of f o a m

, ca r bon f i be r

, and / or p l as t i c, w e p r op o se t hat t he U A w i l l be

at l east as s a f e, i f not sa f e r

, t han a con v en t i on a l l y ce r t if i ca t ed a i r c r a f t pe rf o r m i n g t he s a m e

m i s s i on. I f a n expe r i m e n t a l a i rw o rt h i n e ss ce rti f i c a t e i s not app r o p r i a t e f or t h i s a pp l i ca t i on,
t hen w e r e quest an e x e mp t i on of 14 C F R P a r t 21, S u b pa r t H

, and t h e r e q u i r ement f or a n

a i rw o rt h i ness ce r t i f i ca t e i n gene r a l

, c i t i n g t he e q u i v a l ent l e v el of s a f e t y ou t li n e d i n t he

p r e v i ous p a r ag r a ph.

14 C FR 45

. 23 D i s p l ay o f m a r ks; gene r a l and 4 5

. 29 Si ze o f m a r k s

. T he s e r eg u l a ti ons p r o v i de t hat each a i r c r a f t m ust d i sp l ay " N " a n d t he a i r c r a f t ' s r eg i s tr a t i o n n u mber

i n l e tt e r s at l east 3 i n ch e s h i g h. A d d i t i o n a ll y

, t h e a i r c r a f t must d i s p l ay t he w o r d " E X P E R I M E N T A L"

i n l e tt e r s at l east 2 i n ch e s h i g h near t he en tr a nce t o t he ca b i n, co c kp i t

, or p i l ot s t a t i on. T h e s U A V

does n ot ha v e an en tr an c e i n w h i ch t he w o r d " E XP ER I M E N T A L" c a n be p l a c ed, and m ay not ha v e

a r eg i s tr a ti on n u mber a s s i gned t o i t by t he F A A

. W e p r opo s e t o ac h i e v e an e q u i v a l e nt l e v el o f

sa f e t y by i nc l ud i ng t he w o r d " E X P E R I M E N T A L" i n t he p l aca r d o n t he t op of t h e a i r c r a f t

, as sho w n
abo v e, w he r e t he P I C

, V O and o t he r s i n t he v i c i n i t y of t he a i r c r a f t w h i l e i t i s p r epa ri ng f or l a unch w i l l

be a b l e t o see t he d es i g n a t i on. A dd i t i o n a l l y

, w e fe el t hat t he pe r m a nent p l a c a r d d i s c us s ed i n t h e

p r e v i ous p a r ag r a ph wi l l p r o v i de t he a i r c r a f t ' s r eg i s tr a t i on i n f o r ma t i o n at t he g r o und s t a ti on. F i n a ll y

,

w e w il l d i s p l ay at t he g r o u nd s t a t i o n a h i g h con tr a st f l ag or ba n ner t hat con t a i n s t he w o r ds

" U n man n ed A i r c r a f t Gr o u nd S t a ti on" i n l e tt e r s 3 i nc hes h i gh or g r e a t e r

. Si n ce t he a i r c r a f t w il l

ope r a t e w i t h i n 3 / 4 N M o f t he g r o u nd s t a t i o n, t he b a n ner sho u l d b e v i s i b l e t o a ny one t hat obse r v es

t he a i r c r a f t and c hoo s es t o i n v es t i g a t e i t s p o i nt o f o r i g i n.14 C FR 61

. 113 P r i v a t e p il o t p r i v il eges and l i m i t a ti o n s: P il o t i n C o m m and and 6 1

. 133
C o mm e r c i al p i l ot p r i v i l eges and l i m i t a t i on s

. T he r e g u l a t i o n p r o v i des t h at no pe r son t h at ho l d s a P r i v a t e P il ot ce rtif i ca t e m a y act as p il ot i n
C o mmand o f an a i r c r a f t f o r compen s a t i o n or h i r e. S u bpa r ag r a p h ( b) a l l o w s a p r i v a t e p i l ot t o act as

p i l ot i n c o mma n d of a n a i r c r a f t i n c on n ec t i o n w i t h a n y bus i ne s s or e m p l o y m e nt if : ( 1) T he f l i ght i s

on l y i n c i d en t al t o t hat bu s i ness or e m p l o y m en t ; and ( 2) T he a i r c r a f t does not c a rr y passenge r s or

p r ope rt y f or c o m p en s a t i on or h i r e. O ur p r opo s ed o p e r a t i o n s r eq u i r e t hat t he PI C must ho l d at l e a st

a P r i v a t e P il ot C e rti f i ca t e i ssued by t he FA A a nd s i n ce t he a i r c r a f t ca n not ca r ry passenge r s or

p r ope rt y

, w e f eel w e m eet t he i n t ent of 6 1

. 113 S u bp a r ag r a p h ( b) e v en t hough t he i n t ent o f t h i s

ap p li c a t i o n i s t o co n duct a bus i n ess.

14 C FR 91

. 7 P r o h i b i t s t he O p e r a t i on o f an a i r c r a f t w i t hout an a i r w o rt h i ness c e r t i f i c a t e

. A s

no s uch ce rtif i ca t e wi l l be ap p l i ca b l e i n t he f o r m c on t e m p l a t ed by t he F A R s, t h i s R e g u l a t i o n i s
i n a pp l i c ab l e.

14 C FR 91

. 9 C i v i l a i r c r a f t f l i ght m anua l

, m a r k i n g, and p l ac a r d r e q u i r e m e n t s

. T h i s r eg u l a ti on p r o v i d es t hat no pe r s o n m ay ope r a t e an a i r c r a f t u n l e s s a cu r r en t

, app r o v ed f l i ght

m a nu a l i s i n t he a i r c r a f t

. W e as su m e t hat t he i n t e n t of t h i s r e q u i r e m ent i s t o e nsu r e t hat f l i ght

m a nu a l i n f o r m a t i o n i s a v a i l a b l e t o t he a i r c r ew w h i l e ope r a ti ng t he a i r c r a f t

. W e r equest an ex e m p t i on

t o t h i s r e q u i r e m e nt s i n ce t he a i r c r a f t i s n ot on l y t oo sma l l t o ca rr y doc u m e n t a t i o n, t he

doc u men t a ti on w o u l d not be a v a i l a b l e t o t he c r ew d u r i ng f l i g ht ope r a ti ons. T o ob t a i n a n eq u i v a l e nt

l e v el o f s a f e t y and meet t h e i n t ent o f 91

. 9, w e p r op o se t hat a cu rr en t

, app r o ve d s U A S F l i ght

Manu a l m ust be a va il a b l e t o t he c r ew at t he g r ound s t a t i on a n y t i m e t h e a i r c r a f t i s i n, or p r epa r i ng
f o r

, f li g h t

.

14 C FR 91

. 109 F l i ght I n s tr uc t i on; Si m u l a t ed i n s tr ume n t f l i ght and c e r t a i n f li g h t t es t s T he

r e g u l a t i o n s t a t es t hat " N o pe r son m ay ope r a t e a c i v i l a i r c r a f t t hat i s b e i ng used f or f l i ght i ns tr uc t i on

u n l e ss t hat a i r c r a f t has f u l l y f u n c t i o n i n g d ual c o n tr o l s

. " T he s U A S S y s t em g r ou n d

- b a sed con tr ol

s t a t i on c o n s i s t s o f a sma l l h a nd

- h e l d r a d i o t r an s m i tt er and w h i l e i t d oe s not o f f er a se c ond set of

"c o n tr o l s", bo t h t he s t udent a n d i ns tr u c t or ca n

, and w i l l

, ope r a t e t he s i n g l e set o f con tr o l s

s i m u l t an e ou s l y

. W i t h bo t h s t udent a n d i ns tr u c t or h a v i ng " h ands

- on" t he c o n tr o l s du r i n g f l i gh t

, w e
f e e l t hat t h i s t ec h n i que m e e t s t he i n t ent 91

. 1 09 a n d p r o v i des a n eq u i v a l e nt l e v el o f s a f e t y

.

14 C FR 91

. 119 M i n im u m s a f e a l t it ude s : G en e r a l

. T he r e g u l a t i o n s t a t es t hat o v er spa r se l y po p u l a t ed a r eas t he a i r c r a f t c a nnot be ope r a t ed c l o s er

t han 500 f eet t o any pe r s o n, v esse l

, v eh i c l e, or s tr uc t u r e. Si n c e t he t y p i cal m i s s i on o f t he s U A S

w ou l d b e pho t o g r a p hy or su r v ey of pe r sons, v ess e l s, v eh i c l es or s tr uc t u r es i t w ou l d b e ne c essa r y

t o ope r a t e c l oser t h a n 500 f eet t o t he i t e m s l i s t e d

. O pe r a t i o ns wi l l o n l y be f l o w n o v er p r ope rt y or

pe r so n s w he r e pe r m i s s i o n has be e n ob t a i n e d and c a r e f ul p r e

- p l a nn e d has be en pe r f o r m e d. T he

a i r c r a f t w i l l be o p e r a t ed at a l ow a l t i t u de a l l o w in g, i f a po w er u n i t f a il s, an e m e r gency l a n d i n g

w i t hout un d ue ha z a r d t o p e r sons or p r o pe rt y on t he su r f a ce. T h e r e f o r e w e m a i n t a i n t hat d u e t o t he

sma l l s i z e o f t he U AS

, t he ha z a r d t o pe r sons, v eh i c l es and s tr uc t u r es i s m i n i mal c o mpa r ed t o

m a nn e d a i r c r a f t

, w h i c h s h ou l d be c o ns i de r e d i n g r a n t i ng t he e x e m p t i on.

14 C FR 91

. 121 A ltim e t e r s e t t i ng s

. T he r e g u l a t i o n r eq u i r es t h at a i r c r a f t sha l l m a i n t a i n c r u i s i ng a l t i t u des by r e f e r en ce t o an a l ti me t er

se tt i ng a v a i l a b l e w i t h i n 10 0 N M o f t he a i r c r a f t

. T h e s U A S wi l l a l w a y s fl y b e l ow 600 f eet A G L a nd wi l l

not need t o m a i n t a i n c r u i s i ng a l t i t udes i n o r d er t o p r e v ent con f l i ct w i t h o t her a i r c r a f t

. A n A bo v e Gr ound Le ve l a l ti me t er measu r e ment a b o v e t he t akeoff p o i nt i s tr a ns m i tt ed v i a r ad i o f r o m t he s U A S

on

- b o a r d c o m p u t er t o t he d i s p l ay sc r e e n h e l d by t he P I C

, p r o v i d i ng a c o ns t an t l y upda t ed A G L

r ead o u t

.

14 C FR 91

. 151 Fuel r e q u ir e m e n t s f or f li g h t i n VFR c ond i t i on s

.T he r e g u l a t i o n p r o v i des t h at no pe r son may beg i n a f l i ght i n an a i r p l ane u nder da y

- V F R co n d i ti ons

un l ess t he r e i s en o ugh f u el t o f l y t o t he fi r st po i nt of i n t e n ded l an d i n g and t o f l y a f t er t hat f or at

l e ast

30 m i n u t es. W e f e el t he i n t en t i o n of t h i s pa r a g r a p h i s t o p r o v i de a n ene r gy r e se r v e as a sa f e t y
bu f f er f or d e l a y s t o l an d i n g. T he s U A S a r e ba tt e r y ope r a t ed a nd t he m a x i m u m du r a t i on o f f l i ght

f r o m a s i n g l e b a tt e r y cha r ge i s 12

- 45 ( d e pe n d i ng on w h i c h s U AS ) m i nu t es w i t h a 2 0% r ese r v e. Si n ce t he a i r c r a f t w i l l ne v er fl y m o r e t han 1 / 2 N M f r o m t he p o i n t of i n t e n ded l a n d i n g, a f u l l ba tt e r y
cha r ge at l a u nch wi l l e nsu r e t hat w e m eet t he r e s e r v e ene r gy r equ i r e m ent o f t h i s p a r ag r aph. W e

r e q uest an ex e m p t i on t o t he w o r d " f u e l " a n d a s k f or an e q u i v a l ent i n t e r p r e t a t i on w i t h t he w o r d

"ene r g y ". W e

a l so r e qu e st ex e m p t i on f r om t he 30 m i n r ese r v e a n d a s k t hat our r ese r v e w i l l be t o fl y t he m i s s i o n t o

t he po i nt of i n t en d ed l an d i ng and h a v e at l east a 2 0 % ba tt e r y r ese r v e a f t er t ha t

.

14 C FR 91

. 20 3 ( a) & ( b) C i v i l a i r c r a f t : C e r t i fi c a t i ons r e qu i r e d

. T he r e g u l a t i o n p r o v i des t h at an a i rw o rt h i ne s s ce rti fi c a t e, w i t h t he r eg i s tr a ti on n umber as s i g ned t o

t he a i r c r a f t and a r e g i s tr a ti on ce rti f i ca t e m ust be a b o a r d t he a i r c r a f t

. A d d i ti on a l l y

, subpa r ag r a p h ( b ) p r o v i des t hat t he a i rw o rt h i ness ce r t i f i ca t e b e "d i s p l ay ed at t he cab i n or c oc k p i t en tr ance so t hat

i t i s l e g i b l e t o pa s se n ge r s or c r e w. " W i t h o ur l a r g est v e h i c l e, t he R F

- 70, at a m a x i m u m g r oss

w e i ght o f 13 po u nds, t he s U A S i s t o o sma l l t o ca rr y doc u m en t a t i on, d o es not ha v e an e n tr ance, and i s not

cap a b l e o f ca rr y i n g pas se nge r s or c r e w

. T o o b t a i n a n eq u i v a l ent l e v el of s a f e t y and m eet t he

i n t ent of 91

. 2 03, w e p r op o se t h a t doc u m en t s d e e m e d app r opr i a t e f or t h i s a i r c r a f t by t he F A A wi l l

b e co

- l oca t e d w i t h t he c r ew at t he g r ou n d con tr o l s t a t i on a nd a v a i l a b l e f or i n s pec ti on upon

r e q ues t

. I n o r der t o i d e n ti f y t he a i r c r a ft

, w e p r opose t hat t he i n f o r m a t i on f o u nd on a i rw o rt h i ness

a nd

r eg i s tr a ti on ce rtif i ca t e s be pe r m a n en t l y a f f i xed t o t he a i r c r a f t v i a p l a c a r d con t a i n i n g t he

f o l l o w i n g i n f o r m a ti on p l us t he w o r d " E X P E R I M E N T A L" t o sa ti s f y t he r equ i r e m ent o f 14 C F R

4 5

. 23.

14 C FR S ubpa r t E ( 91

. 4 01

- 9 1

. 417)

- M a i n t ena n ce, P r e v en ti v e M a i n t e n ance, A l t e r a t i on s T he

r e g u l a t i o n p r o v i des t h at t he ope r a t or i s p r i m a r il y r espon s i b l e f or m a i n t a i n i n g t he a i r c r a f t i n a n

a i rw o rt hy con d i t i on, i nc l u d i ng c o mp l i a nce w i t h p a r t 39 and 43. P a r ag r a phs 9 1

. 407 a n d

91

. 409 r e qu i r e t hat t he a i r c r a f t be "a p p r o v ed f or re t u r n t o se r v i ce by a pe r son au t ho r i z ed u nder

43

. 7" a f t er m a i n t e nan c e a nd i n s pec t i on. I t i s our i n t e n t i on t hat t he P I C pe r f o r m m a i n t e n an c e
and i ns p ec ti on o f t he a i r c r a f t a nd "be au t h o r i z ed t o a p p r o v e t he a i r c r a f t f or r e t u r n t o se r v i ce

. "

T he P I C wi l l e nsu r e t hat t he a i r c r a f t i s i n an a i rw o rt hy cond i ti on p ri or t o e v e r y fl i ght a n d i n

a d d i t i on, con d uct de t a i l e d i n s pec t i o ns a f t er e v e r y tw o hou r s of f l i gh t

. Ma i n t e na n ce pe r f o r m e d by

t he P I C i s l i m i t ed t o r ep a i ri ng s m a l l c r a c k s, r ep l a c i ng a p r o p e l l e r

, che c k i ng e l ec tr i c al c on n ec t i o n s and upda t i ng s o f tw a r e a nd f i r m w a r e f or t he on

- boa r d c ompu t e r

. A l l o t her m a i n t e nan c e w i l l be

pe rf o r m ed by t he man u f ac t u r er or t he i r de s i g n a t ed rep a i r f a c i l i t y

. T he P I C wil l doc u ment w o r k

pe rf o r m ed i n ac c o r da n ce w i t h 91

. 417. W e f e el t hat d ue t o t he s i z e, cons tr uc t i on, and s i m p li c i t y of

t he a i r c r a f t

, t he P I C c a n e nsu r e an e q u i v a l e nt l e v e l of s a f e t y

.

### August 4 , 2015

U

. S

. Depa rt men t o f Tr an s po r t a t i o n

D o c ket Ma n ag e ment S y s t em

1200 N ew Je r sey A v e. S E

W ash i n g t on, D C 2 0 590

Re : E xe m p ti on R equest S e c ti on 333 o f t he F A A R e f o r m A c t

Thank you for the opportunity to give examples as to why granting Aerial West LLC the

requested exemption would be in the public interest

, and how it would benefit the public as a

whole. Please find that following examples, as well as the attached support memos from
professional and charitable organizations sup porting this exemption.

1. UAV use in Disaster Response
Aerial West has been disaster trained with the Red Cross as a first responder (first for Haiti)

, and has offered it services for deployment. Aerial West has helped ‘Team Rubicon’ on the

potential de velopment of their UAV division. Team Rubicon is a veteran based fast response
disaster relief organization based in the United States, with international reach. Consultation
includes the safe operation of a UAV, guidelines for a safe training program, and strict media/disaster victim privacy rule structure. TR is currently reviewing the use of UAV’s and if

their use is warranted. Intentions upon 333 exemption include actual flight operations to as sist

immediate disaster recovery efforts, UAV training; and UAV flight training.

Public Good : Disaster Response

UAV’s are used in documentation and evaluation of a disaster area, to triage deployment of

teams to areas to quickl y render help. Aerial West LLC w ould use UAV technology to document
damage, search for victims in difficult to access areas, locate cadavers, animals, and possibly

render direct assistance to victims in distress.

UAV use for 3D mapping of the disaster area for use in the database to triage the areas affected
parties is critical. Catalog ing structures that are damaged is currently a large scale, difficult

endeavor taking the time of several teams of people on the ground who often do have access

to the best vantage point

. When this function is provided by a UAV , it drastically reduces the

time needed to deploy help, and would be virtually impos sible with full sized aircraft, and

### dramatically cost prohibitive, and more dangerous.

2. UAV use as an alternative to large, manned aircraft using combustible fuel in Cinema

The UAV, powered by batt eries, is smaller, lighter and more maneuverable than larger aircraft
running on combustible fuel, it operates at lower altitudes with no people on board and will
thereby reduce current risk levels to both the pilots aboard and people below, thereby

enhanc ing safety and drastically diminish ing the likelihood of death or serious bodily injury. The
small weight and minimal payload allows for high quality aerial video at safety levels before

unseen.

Public Good : Closed S et Cinematography

Aerial West can offer the same aerial videography a production is requesting without any of the
danger associated with a traditional full sized manned helicopter using combustible fuel when
flying over a set. GPS stabilized s tationary angles and low altitu des , predictable flight paths with
full coordination between people on the ground without need for complicated communication
systems, and the ability to land safely in a comparably smaller area to a full sized aircraft all
increase safety and public good. The costs of the production are drastically lowered and safety

is raised. H igh quality aerial cinematography becomes accessible to smaller productions,
facilitating market growth and public job creation.

3. UAV use in Aerial P hotography

UAV use in photography creates dramatic versatility never before possible. The impact of this

versatility creates immediate value to small and large businesses, charity organizations, and

private citizens. Small businesses would never have access to the production va lue of an aerial
photo without great expense, usually reserved for larger corporations. Having access ot this for
promotion needs is a large benefit to businesses.

Public Good examples: Charity benefits

The ability to operate as an aerial photography bus iness would afford AERIAL WEST LLC the
opportunity to direct more efforts to assist local charities. Aerial West LLC currently, at its own

cost without the ability to network and do business with potential interested parties, donates
aerial photography gal lery wrapped canvases to charity auctions like 310YP
( http://www.310yp.org ), whom donate the proceeds to organizations like ‘Toast Our Vets’

whom assist veteran organizations financially. AERIAL WEST LLC would like to offer these

services to interested businesses or private parties so that they may increase their own

business reach.

Public Good examples : Real estate and Boat/Ship Sales

The benefits of reduced cost and improved quality of presentation from the UA V will be
valuable to and benefit many buyers and sellers of re al property and marine property,

### increasing the effectiveness of that market. Low level oblique photos and video from several

angles are far more effective than ground

- based imagery for displaying the characteristics of
large, complex properties. Sales are increased, costs are lowered, and the market benefits.

Public Good Example s : Travel and Tourism

B enefits of reduced cost and improved quality of presentation from the UA V for tourism areas
has an immediate impact . Clients can show the beauty of their area and present this in a way
never before fiscally or safely possible so that their city, attraction, or state will increase

tourism, thereby helping local businesses, econo my, and ultimately the families in the area.

Thank you again for the opportunity to give examples as to why granting Aerial West LLC the
requested exemption would be in the public interest, and how it would benefit the public as a

whole.

S i nce r e l y,

Bil l Palmatary

, Owner
Aerial West, L L C

834 15 th 

### PL Suite B

Hermosa Beach, CA 90254

323

- 539

- 8828 office