First Quarter 2007 Report on Form 10-QSB
UNITED
STATES
SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON,
DC 20549
FORM
10-QSB
(Mark
One)
x
|
Quarterly
Report Under Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934
|
For
the
quarterly period ended March 31, 2007
o
|
Transition
Report Under Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934
|
For
the
transition period from ____________ to ____________
Commission
File Number:
001-13387
AeroCentury
Corp.
(Exact
name of small business issuer as specified in its charter)
Delaware
|
|
94-3263974
|
(State
or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
|
|
(I.R.S.
Employer Identification No.)
|
1440
Chapin Avenue, Suite 310
Burlingame,
California 94010
(Address
of principal executive offices)
(650)
340-1888
(Issuer’s
telephone number)
None
(Former
name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last
report)
Check
whether the Issuer: (1) filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13
or
15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the past 12 months (or
for
such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports),
and
(2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90
days.
Yes
x No
o
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule
12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes
o No
x
State
the
number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common equity,
as of the latest practicable date:
As
of May 15, 2007 the Issuer had 1,606,557 Shares
of
Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share, issued,
of which
63,300 are held as Treasury Stock.
Transitional
Small Business Disclosure Format (check one):
Yes
o No
x
PART
I
FINANCIAL
INFORMATION
Forward-Looking
Statements
This
Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB includes "forward-looking statements" within
the
meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
“Securities Act”) and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended (“the Exchange Act”). All statements in this Report other than
statements of historical fact are "forward looking statements" for purposes
of
these provisions, including any statements of plans and objectives for future
operations and any statements of assumptions underlying any of the foregoing.
Statements that include the use of terminology such as "may," "will," "expects,"
"plans," "anticipates," "estimates," "potential," or "continue," or the negative
thereof, or other comparable terminology are forward-looking statements.
Forward-looking statements include: (i) in Item 1 "Financial Statements, Note
1"
the statement regarding the Company's belief that the adoption of the direct
expensing method pursuant to FSP AUG -AIR-1 will result in uneven effects on
the
Company’s results of operations.; and that the adoption of SFAS 157 and SFAS 159
will not have an impact on the financial condition, results of operations or
cash flows of the Company; (ii) in Item 1 “Financial Statements, Note 6” the
statement that future taxable income will likely be sufficient to realize the
tax benefits of all the deferred tax assets on the balance sheet; (iii) in
Item
2 "Management's Discussion and Analysis or Plan of Operation -- Liquidity and
Capital Resources," statements regarding the Company's belief that it will
continue to be in compliance with all covenants of its credit facility, and
that
it will have adequate cash flow to meet its ongoing operational needs; (iv)
in
Item 2 "Management's Discussion and Analysis or Plan of Operation -- Outlook,"
statements regarding the Company's belief that the proceeds from the increased
credit facility and the Subordinated Note financing will be sufficient to fund
the Company’s short- and medium-term acquisitions; that even if certain aircraft
returned to the Company in March 2007 remain off-lease for an extended period
of
time, the Company will still maintain compliance with its debt covenants; the
Company’s belief regarding the renewal of aircraft with terms ending in 2007 and
the re-lease of an aircraft expected to be returned and not renewed and the
effect on compliance with debt covenants; and the Company’s belief that its
reported net income may be subject to greater fluctuations from
quarter-to-quarter than would have been the case had the Company continued
its
use of the previous method of accounting for planned major maintenance
activities; and (v) in Item 2 "Management's Discussion and Analysis or Plan
of
Operation -- Factors that May Affect Future Results,” statements regarding the
Company's belief that it will be successful in timely acquiring appropriate
assets for acquisition to take full financial advantage of the additional
resources provided under the increased credit facility and Subordinated Note
financing; that it will have sufficient cash to fund any required repayments
under its credit facility caused by borrowing base limitations as a result
of
assets scheduled to come off lease in the near term; that JMC’s industry
experience and technical resources will allow it to effectively manage new
aircraft types; that acquisition of new aircraft types may lead to
diversification of the portfolio; that it will have sufficient funds to pay
increased Sarbanes-Oxley compliance costs; and that it will acquire primarily
used aircraft; that overseas markets present business opportunities; that the
Company is competitive because of JMC's experience and operational efficiency
and will benefit because of JMC's reputation in the marketplace.
These
forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, and it is important
to note that the Company's actual results could differ materially from those
projected or assumed in such forward-looking statements. Among the factors
that
could cause actual results to differ materially are the factors detailed under
the heading "Management's Discussion and Analysis or Plan of Operation --
Factors That May Affect Future Results," including the compliance of the
Company's lessees with obligations under their respective leases; risks related
to use of debt financing for acquisitions; the Company’s success in finding
additional financing and appropriate assets to acquire with such financing;
general economic conditions, particularly those that affect the air travel
industry; unanticipated sharp increases in interest rates; further disruptions
to the air travel industry due to terrorist attacks; assumptions that major
maintenance expenses will be relatively evenly spaced over the entire portfolio;
and future trends and results which cannot be predicted with certainty. The
cautionary statements made in this Report should be read as being applicable
to
all related forward-looking statements wherever they appear herein. All
forward-looking statements and risk factors included in this document are made
as of the date hereof, based on information available to the Company as of
the
date hereof, and the Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking
statement or risk factor. You should consult the risk factors listed from time
to time in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.
AeroCentury
Corp.
Condensed
Consolidated Balance Sheet
Unaudited
ASSETS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
March
31,
2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Assets:
|
|
|
|
|
Cash
and cash equivalents
|
|
$
|
3,131,280
|
|
Accounts
receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of
$15,700
|
|
|
757,550
|
|
Aircraft
and aircraft engine held for lease,
net
of accumulated depreciation of $21,783,450
|
|
|
90,788,330
|
|
Prepaid
expenses and other
|
|
|
886,490
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
assets
|
|
$
|
95,563,650
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LIABILITIES
AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
|
|
|
|
|
|
Liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts
payable and accrued expenses
|
|
$
|
451,850
|
|
Notes
payable and accrued interest
|
|
|
54,552,610
|
|
Maintenance
reserves and accrued costs
|
|
|
3,836,610
|
|
Security
deposits
|
|
|
4,078,880
|
|
Prepaid
rent
|
|
|
541,940
|
|
Deferred
taxes
|
|
|
4,585,210
|
|
Taxes
payable
|
|
|
142,310
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
liabilities
|
|
|
68,
189,410
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stockholders’
equity:
|
|
|
|
|
Preferred
stock, $0.001 par value, 2,000,000 shares
authorized,
no shares issued and outstanding
|
|
|
-
|
|
Common
stock, $0.001 par value, 3,000,000 shares
authorized,
1,606,557 shares issued and outstanding
|
|
|
1,610
|
|
Paid
in capital
|
|
|
13,821,200
|
|
Retained
earnings
|
|
|
14,055,500
|
|
|
|
|
27,878,310
|
|
Treasury
stock at cost, 63,300 shares
|
|
|
(504,070
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
stockholders’ equity
|
|
|
27,374,240
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
95,563,650
|
|
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
AeroCentury
Corp.
Condensed
Consolidated Statements of Operations
Unaudited
|
|
For
the Three Months
Ended
March 31,
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues
and other income:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating
lease revenue
|
|
$
|
4,206,840
|
|
$
|
3,701,000
|
|
Maintenance
reserves income
|
|
|
827,380
|
|
|
791,750
|
|
Other
income
|
|
|
7,370
|
|
|
(9,130
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,041,590
|
|
|
4,483,620
|
|
Expenses:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation
|
|
|
1,234,810
|
|
|
1,155,010
|
|
Interest
|
|
|
1,221,710
|
|
|
1,164,260
|
|
Management
fees
|
|
|
683,400
|
|
|
696,350
|
|
Maintenance
|
|
|
225,340
|
|
|
1,092,480
|
|
Professional
fees and general and administrative
|
|
|
168,520
|
|
|
166,080
|
|
Insurance
|
|
|
26,720
|
|
|
78,040
|
|
Bad
debt expense
|
|
|
15,690
|
|
|
48,820
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,576,190
|
|
|
4,401,040
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income
before taxes
|
|
|
1,465,400
|
|
|
82,580
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tax
provision
|
|
|
491,640
|
|
|
31,080
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
income
|
|
$
|
973,760
|
|
$
|
51,500
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted
average common shares outstanding
|
|
|
1,543,257
|
|
|
1,543,257
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
and diluted earnings per share
|
|
$
|
0.63
|
|
$
|
0.03
|
|
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
AeroCentury
Corp.
Condensed
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Unaudited
|
For
the Three Months
Ended
March 31,
|
|
2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
cash provided by operating activities
|
$3,060,120
|
$2,317,490
|
|
|
|
Investing
activity -
|
|
|
Equipment
additions to aircraft
|
-
|
(432,840)
|
Net
cash used by investing activity
|
-
|
(432,840)
|
|
|
|
Financing
activity -
|
|
|
Repayment
of notes payable
|
(3,312,720)
|
(283,640)
|
Net
cash used by financing activity
|
(3,312,720)
|
(283,640)
|
|
|
|
Net
(decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents
|
(252,600)
|
1,601,010
|
|
|
|
Cash
and cash equivalents, beginning of period
|
3,383,880
|
618,910
|
|
|
|
Cash
and cash equivalents, end of period
|
$3,131,280
|
$2,219,920
|
During
the three months ended March 31, 2007 and 2006, the Company paid interest
totaling $1,211,940
and
$976,980, respectively, and income taxes totaling $400 and $48,000,
respectively.
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
AeroCentury
Corp.
Notes
to
Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
March
31,
2007
1. Organization
and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
(a)
Basis
of Presentation
AeroCentury
Corp., a Delaware corporation, uses leveraged financing to acquire leased
aircraft assets. The Company (as defined below) purchases used regional aircraft
on lease to foreign and domestic regional carriers. Financial information for
AeroCentury Corp. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, AeroCentury Investments
V
LLC (“AeroCentury V LLC”) and AeroCentury Investments VI LLC (“AeroCentury VI
LLC”) (collectively, the “Company”), is presented on a consolidated basis. All
intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
As
discussed in Note 1(l),
the
Company has restated its results for the three months ended March 31, 2006
in
connection with its adoption of Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”)
Staff Position AUG AIR-1, Accounting
for Planned Major Maintenance Activities (“FSP
AUG
AIR-1”).
(b) Cash
and Cash Equivalents/Deposits
The
Company considers highly liquid investments readily convertible into known
amounts of cash, with original maturities of 90 days or less from the date
of
acquisition, as cash equivalents.
(c) Aircraft
and Aircraft Engine Held For Lease and Held for Sale
The
Company’s interests in aircraft and aircraft engines are recorded at cost, which
includes acquisition costs. The Company purchases only used aircraft. It is
the
Company’s policy to hold aircraft for approximately twelve years unless market
conditions necessitate earlier disposition. Depreciation is computed using
the
straight-line method over the twelve year period to an estimated residual value
based on appraisal.
Decreases in the market value of aircraft could not only affect the current
value, but could also affect the assumed residual value. The Company
periodically obtains a residual value appraisal for its assets and,
historically, has not written down any estimated residuals. The Company’s
aircraft which are held for sale are not subject to depreciation.
(d) Impairment
of Long-lived Assets
The
Company periodically reviews its portfolio of assets for impairment in
accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 144,
“Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-lived Assets." Such
review necessitates estimates of current market values, re-lease rents and
residual values. The estimates are based on currently available market
data and are subject to fluctuation from time to time.
The Company initiates its review periodically, whenever events or changes in
circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of a long-lived asset may not
be
recoverable. Recoverability of an asset is measured by comparison of its
carrying amount to the expected future undiscounted cash flows (without interest
charges) that the asset is expected to generate. Any impairment to be
recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset
exceeds its fair market value. Significant management judgment is required
in the forecasting of future operating results which are used in the preparation
of projected undiscounted cash flows and, should different conditions prevail,
material write downs may occur.
(e) Loan
Commitment and Related Fees
To
the
extent that the Company is required to pay loan commitment fees and legal fees
in order to secure debt, such fees are amortized over the life of the related
loan.
AeroCentury
Corp.
Notes
to
Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
March
31,
2007
1. Organization
and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
(f) Maintenance
Reserves and Accrued Costs
Maintenance
costs under the Company’s triple net leases are generally the responsibility of
the lessees. The accompanying consolidated balance sheet reflects liabilities
for maintenance reserves and accrued costs, which include refundable maintenance
payments received from lessees based on usage. At March 31, 2007, the Company’s
maintenance reserves and accruals consisted of the following:
Refundable
maintenance reserves
|
|
$
|
3,310,560
|
|
Accrued
costs
|
|
|
526,050
|
|
|
|
$
|
3,836,610
|
|
Refundable
maintenance reserves received by the Company are accounted for as a liability,
which is reduced when maintenance work is performed during the lease.
Maintenance reserves which are refundable to the lessee are refunded after
all
return conditions specified in the lease and, in some cases, any other payments
due under the lease, are satisfied. Any refundable reserves retained by the
Company to satisfy return conditions or in connection with an early return
of an
aircraft are recorded as income.
Maintenance
reserves which are non-refundable to the lessee are recorded as income as
accrued and as expense when maintenance work is performed.
Additions
to and deductions from the Company’s accrued costs during the three months
ended March 31, 2007 and 2006 for maintenance work were as follows:
|
|
For
the Three Months Ended
March
31,
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance,
beginning of period
|
|
$
|
3,846,690
|
|
$
|
3,350,430
|
|
Adjustment
pursuant to FSP AUG AIR-1
|
|
|
(3,499,260
|
)
|
|
(2,689,630
|
)
|
Balance,
beginning of period, adjusted for adoption of FSP AUG
AIR-1
|
|
|
347,430
|
|
|
660,800
|
|
Additions:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Charged
to expense
|
|
|
191,160
|
|
|
978,150
|
|
Charged
to other -
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other
|
|
|
|
|
|
12,410
|
|
|
|
|
191,160
|
|
|
990,560
|
|
Deductions:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Paid
for previously accrued maintenance
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
1,206,720
|
|
Reversals
of over-accrued maintenance
|
|
|
12,540
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
12,540
|
|
|
1,206,720
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
increase/(decrease) in accrued maintenance costs
|
|
|
166,620
|
|
|
(216,160
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance,
end of period
|
|
$
|
526,050
|
|
$
|
444,640
|
|
AeroCentury
Corp.
Notes
to
Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
March
31,
2007
1. Organization
and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
(g) Security
deposits
The
Company’s leases are typically structured so that if any event of default occurs
under a lease, the Company may apply all or a portion of the lessee’s security
deposit to cure such default. If such application of the security deposit is
made, the lessee typically is required to replenish and maintain the full amount
of the deposit during the remaining term of the lease. All of the security
deposits received by the Company are refundable to the lessee at the end of
the
lease, upon satisfaction of all lease terms.
(h) Income
Taxes
As
part
of the process of preparing the Company’s consolidated financial statements,
management is required to estimate income taxes in each of the jurisdictions
in
which the Company operates. This process involves estimating the Company’s
current tax exposure under the most recent tax laws and assessing temporary
differences resulting from differing treatment of items for tax and accounting
purposes. These differences result in deferred tax assets and liabilities,
which
are included in the consolidated balance sheet. Management must also assess
the
likelihood that the Company’s deferred tax assets will be recovered from future
taxable income, and, to the extent management believes it is more likely than
not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized,
the Company must establish a valuation allowance. To the extent the Company
establishes a valuation allowance or changes the allowance in a period, the
Company reflects the corresponding increase or decrease within the tax provision
in the consolidated statement of operations.
(i) Revenue
Recognition and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
Revenue
from leasing of aircraft assets is recognized as operating lease revenue on
a
straight-line basis over the terms of the applicable lease agreements. The
Company estimates and charges to income a provision for bad debts based on
its
experience in the business and with each specific customer, the level of past
due accounts, and its analysis of the lessees’ overall financial condition. If
the financial condition of the Company’s customers deteriorates, it could result
in actual losses exceeding any estimated allowances.
(j) Use
of Estimates
The
preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles
generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates
and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities
and
disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial
statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the
reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The Company
bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions
that are believed to be reasonable for making judgments that are not readily
apparent from other sources.
The
most
significant estimates with regard to these financial statements are the residual
values of the aircraft, the useful lives of the aircraft, the amount and timing
of cash flow associated with each aircraft that are used to evaluate impairment,
if any, accrued maintenance costs, the amounts recorded as bad debt allowances
and accounting for income taxes.
AeroCentury
Corp.
Notes
to
Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
March
31,
2007
1. Organization
and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
(k) Comprehensive
Income
The
Company does not have any comprehensive income other than the revenue and
expense items included in the consolidated statements of operations. As a
result, comprehensive income equals net income for the quarters ended March
31,
2007 and 2006.
(l) Recent
Accounting Pronouncements
In
December 2004, the FASB issued SFAS 123(R), Share-based
Payment (“SFAS 123(R))”,
which
requires compensation cost relating to share-based payment transactions be
recognized in financial statements. SFAS 123(R) is effective for small business
issuers as of the beginning of the first interim or annual reporting period
that
began after December 15, 2005, supercedes APB Opinion No. 25, Accounting
for Stock Issued to Employees,
and
replaces SFAS No. 123, Accounting
for Stock-based Compensation (“SFAS 123”).
The
pro-forma disclosure previously permitted under SFAS No. 123 is no longer an
acceptable alternative to recognition of expenses in the financial statements.
The adoption of SFAS 123(R) had no effect on the Company’s consolidated
financial condition or results of operations.
In
July
2006, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 48, Accounting
for Uncertainty in Income Taxes - an Interpretation of FASB Statement 109
(“FIN
48”). FIN 48 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006.
FIN 48 prescribes a comprehensive model for how a company should recognize,
measure, present, and disclose in its financial statements uncertain tax
positions that a company has taken or expects to take on a tax return (including
a decision whether to file or not to file a return in a particular
jurisdiction). Under FIN 48, the financial statements reflect expected future
tax consequences of such positions presuming the taxing authorities' full
knowledge of the position and all relevant facts, but without considering time
values. The Company adopted FIN 48 on January 1, 2007. As
a
result of the implementation of FIN 48, the Company recognized no adjustment
in
the liability for unrecognized income tax benefits relating to uncertain tax
positions.
In
September 2006, the SEC staff issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 108 (SAB
Topic 1N), Considering
the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements when Quantifying Misstatements in
Current Year Financial Statements
(“SAB
108”), which outlines the approach it believes registrants should use to
quantify the misstatement of current year financial statements that results
from
misstatements of prior year financial statements. SAB 108 changes
practice by requiring registrants to use a combination of two approaches, the
“rollover” approach, which quantifies a misstatement based on the amount of the
error originating in the current year income statement and the “iron curtain”
approach, which quantifies a misstatement based on the effects of correcting
the
misstatement existing in the balance sheet at the end of the current year.
SAB
108 requires registrants to adjust their financial statements if the new
approach results in a conclusion that an error is material. SAB 108 was
effective for fiscal years ending after November 15, 2006. The Company adopted
SAB 108 for the year ended December 31, 2006. The effects of adjustments made
pursuant to SAB 108 on the Company’s financial condition and results of
operations are shown in Note 2.
AeroCentury
Corp.
Notes
to
Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
March
31,
2007
1. Organization
and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
(l) Recent
Accounting Pronouncements (continued)
FSP
AUG
AIR-1 was posted in September 2006 and prohibits the use of the
accrue-in-advance method of accounting for planned major maintenance activities
in annual and interim financial reporting periods. FSP AUG AIR-1 must be applied
to the first fiscal year beginning after December 15, 2006 and was adopted
by
the Company on January 1, 2007. It allows major maintenance activities to be
accounted for in one of three ways: (i) the built-in overhaul method, (ii)
the
deferral method or (iii) the direct expensing method. The Company has evaluated
the impact of the adoption of this new staff position and determined that it
will use the direct expensing method, under which actual costs incurred are
expensed directly. The new mandated accounting methods requires the accrual
of
non-refundable maintenance reserves from the Company’s lessees for planned major
maintenance to be reflected as income on the income statements, and performance
of maintenance work in connection with the release of maintenance reserves
to be
reflected as an expense when maintenance is actually performed. Because the
net
effect of recognizing income when maintenance reserves are accrued and accruing
maintenance expense as incurred within any given period will vary, it is likely
that the new accounting method will result in uneven effects on the Company’s
results of operations. Comparative financial statements have been adjusted
to
apply the new method retrospectively. The effects of adoption of FSP AUG AIR-1
on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations are shown in Note
2.
In
September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS 157, Fair
Value Measurements”
(“SFAS
157”) This Statement defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring
fair value in generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), and expands
disclosures about fair value measurements. SFAS 157 applies under other
accounting pronouncements that require or permit fair value measurements, the
FASB having previously concluded in those accounting pronouncements that fair
value is the relevant measurement attribute. Accordingly, SFAS 157 does not
require any new fair value measurements. However, for some entities, the
application of SFAS 157 will change current practice. This statement is
effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007, and interim
periods within those fiscal years. The Company believes the adoption of SFAS
157
will not have an impact on its financial condition, results of operations or
cash flows.
In
February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS 159, The
Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities
(“SFAS
159”). SFAS 159 permits companies to make a one-time election to carry
eligible types of financial assets and liabilities at fair value, even if fair
value measurement is not required under GAAP. SFAS 159 is effective for
fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. Early adoption is permitted
if
the decision to adopt the standard is made after the issuance of SFAS 159 but
within 120 days after the first day of the fiscal year of adoption, provided
no
financial statements have yet been issued for any interim period and provided
the requirements of SFAS 157 are adopted concurrently with SFAS 159. The
Company believes the adoption of SFAS 159 will not have an impact on its
financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
AeroCentury
Corp.
Notes
to
Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
March
31,
2007
2. Adoption
of SAB 108 and FSP AUG AIR-1
As
discussed in Note 1, the Company adopted SAB 108 for the year ended December
31,
2006. In
the
course of evaluating balance sheet amounts under the provisions of SAB 108,
the
Company identified the following adjustments as of January 1, 2006: (i) as
a
result of non-refundable maintenance reserves received at the time four aircraft
were purchased in 1999 which should have been treated as a tax basis reduction
rather than a liability for maintenance reserves, a net decrease to the
Company’s deferred tax liability in the amount of $269,340; (ii) as a result of
funds received from the seller when the Company purchased an aircraft in 2004,
which should have been treated as a reduction in the purchase price rather
than
a liability for maintenance reserves, and the incorrect tax treatment of a
portion of maintenance reserves as non-refundable instead of refundable, a
decrease of $287,650 to both the cost basis of the Company’s aircraft and
maintenance reserves and accrued costs, a decrease of $33,960 in accumulated
depreciation, an increase of $12,180 in accounts receivable, and an increase
of
$14,790 in deferred tax liabilities; (iii) as a result of a reversal of tax
liabilities due to a lower anticipated state tax rate than was provided for
at
the time of the Company’s incorporation, a decrease of $136,800 to deferred tax
liabilities and (iv) as a result of the incorrect treatment of interest related
to maintenance reserves for one aircraft as additional reserves rather than
income, a decrease of $103,080 to refundable maintenance reserves. These amounts
were recorded in immaterial amounts prior to 2006. However,
using the dual evaluation approach prescribed by SAB 108, correction of the
above amounts would have been material to earnings for 2006. In accordance
with
SAB 108, these adjustments have been reflected as an opening adjustment of
$540,570 to retained earnings at January 1, 2006. In addition, comparative
information for the quarter ended March 31, 2006 has been adjusted to reflect
the adoption of SAB 108, as summarized below:
|
|
|
As
reported
previously
|
|
|
As
adjusted under
SAB
108
|
|
|
Increase/decresase
effect
of change
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating
lease revenue
|
|
$
|
3,701,000
|
|
$
|
3,701,000
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
Maintenance
reserves income
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
Other
income
|
|
|
2,387,380
|
|
|
2,387,380
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
6,088,380
|
|
|
6,088,380
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation
|
|
|
1,230,190
|
|
|
1,224,200
|
|
|
(5,990
|
)
|
Interest
|
|
|
1,164,260
|
|
|
1,164,260
|
|
|
-
|
|
Management
fees
|
|
|
698,150
|
|
|
696,350
|
|
|
(1,800
|
)
|
Maintenance
|
|
|
2,553,830
|
|
|
2,553,830
|
|
|
-
|
|
Professional
fees and other
|
|
|
292,940
|
|
|
292,940
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
5,939,370
|
|
|
5,931,580
|
|
|
(7,790
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income
before taxes
|
|
|
149,010
|
|
|
156,800
|
|
|
7,790
|
|
Tax
provision
|
|
|
44,020
|
|
|
55,220
|
|
|
11,200
|
|
Net
income
|
|
$
|
104,990
|
|
$
|
101,580
|
|
$
|
(3,410
|
)
|
Earnings
per share
|
|
$
|
0.07
|
|
$
|
0.07
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
AeroCentury
Corp.
Notes
to
Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
March
31,
2007
2. Adoption
of SAB 108 and FSP AUG AIR-1 (continued)
As
discussed in Note 1, the Company adopted FSP AUG AIR-1 on January 1, 2007.
The
effects on the Company’s statement of operations as a result of the retroactive
restatement of the Company’s results of operations for the three months ended
March 31, 2006 were as follows.
|
|
|
As
adjusted
under
SAB
108
|
|
|
As
reported under
FSP
AUG AIR-1
|
|
|
Increase/(decrease)
effect
of change
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating
lease revenue
|
|
$
|
3,701,000
|
|
$
|
3,701,000
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
Maintenance
reserves income
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
791,750
|
|
|
791,750
|
|
Other
income
|
|
|
2,387,380
|
|
|
(9,130
|
)
|
|
(2,396,510
|
)
|
|
|
|
6,088,380
|
|
|
4,483,620
|
|
|
(1,604,760
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation
|
|
|
1,224,200
|
|
|
1,155,010
|
|
|
(69,190
|
)
|
Interest
|
|
|
1,164,260
|
|
|
1,164,260
|
|
|
-
|
|
Management
fees
|
|
|
696,350
|
|
|
696,350
|
|
|
-
|
|
Maintenance
|
|
|
2,553,830
|
|
|
1,092,480
|
|
|
(1,461,350
|
)
|
Professional
fees and other
|
|
|
292,940
|
|
|
292,940
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
5,931,580
|
|
|
4,401,040
|
|
|
(1,530,540
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income
before taxes
|
|
|
156,800
|
|
|
82,580
|
|
|
(74,220
|
)
|
Tax
provision
|
|
|
55,220
|
|
|
31,080
|
|
|
(24,140
|
)
|
Net
income
|
|
$
|
101,580
|
|
$
|
51,500
|
|
$
|
(50,080
|
)
|
Earnings
per share
|
|
$
|
0.07
|
|
$
|
0.03
|
|
$
|
(0.04
|
)
|
3. Aircraft
and Aircraft Engine Held for Lease
At
March
31, 2007, the Company owned eight deHavilland DHC-8-300s, three deHavilland
DHC-8-100s, three deHavilland DHC-6s, fourteen Fokker 50s, two Saab 340As,
six
Saab 340Bs and one turboprop engine which are held for lease. During the first
quarter, the Company extended the leases for one of its DHC-6 aircraft and
one
of its Fokker 50 aircraft.
In
March
2007, based on the lessee’s financial difficulties, the Company agreed to
the
early
return of two of its aircraft, which had leases expiring in May and July 2008.
At March 31, 2007, the Company recorded
$15,700 of bad debt expense for uncollected reserves. The Company is negotiating
a termination settlement with the lessee and is seeking re-lease or sale
opportunities for these aircraft.
AeroCentury
Corp.
Notes
to
Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
March
31,
2007
4. Notes
Payable and Accrued Interest
(a) Credit
facility
In
November 2005, the Company’s $50 million credit facility was renewed through
October 31, 2007. In connection with the renewal, certain financial covenants
were modified, including the applicable margin which is added to the index
rate
for each of the Company’s outstanding loans under the credit facility. The
margin, which is determined by certain financial ratios, was revised from a
range of 275 to 375 basis points to a range of 275 to 325 basis
points.
In May
2006, a
participant was added to the Company’s credit facility and the amount of the
facility was increased to $55 million. During the three months ended March
31,
2007, the Company repaid $3,000,000 of the outstanding principal. As of March
31, 2007, the Company was in compliance with all covenants under its credit
facility agreement, $47,896,000 was outstanding, and interest of $112,210 was
accrued. As discussed in Note 8, in April 2007, the amount of the Company’s
credit facility was increased and its term was extended.
(b) Special
purpose financing
In
September 2000, a special purpose subsidiary acquired a deHavilland DHC-8-100
aircraft using cash and bank financing separate from its credit facility.
The
related note obligation, which was due April 15, 2006, was refinanced in April
2006, using
bank financing from another lender, and the subsidiary was dissolved. The
aircraft was transferred to AeroCentury VI LLC, a newly formed special purpose
limited liability company, which borrowed $1,650,000, due October 15, 2009.
The
note bears interest at an adjustable rate of one-month LIBOR plus 3%.
The
note
is collateralized by the aircraft and the Company’s interest in AeroCentury VI
LLC and is non-recourse to the Company. Payments
due under the note consist of monthly principal and interest through April
20,
2009, interest only from April 20, 2009 until the maturity date, and a balloon
principal payment due on the maturity date. If the aircraft lease agreement
is
terminated on April 15, 2008 pursuant to a lessee early termination option,
the
note will be due October 15, 2008, and the interest only period will be from
April 20, 2008 through October 15, 2008. During the three months ended March
31,
2007, $75,840 of principal was repaid on the note. The balance of the note
payable at Mach 31, 2007 was $1,345,500 and interest of $3,730 was accrued.
As
of March 31, 2007, the Company was in compliance with all covenants of this
note
obligation.
In
November 2005, the Company refinanced two DHC-8-300 aircraft that had been
part
of the collateral base for its credit facility. The financing, by a bank
separate from its credit facility, was provided to a newly formed special
purpose subsidiary, AeroCentury V LLC, to which the aircraft were transferred.
The financing resulted in a note obligation in the amount of $6,400,000, due
November 10, 2008, which bears interest at
the
rate 7.87%.
The
note
is collateralized by the aircraft and is non-recourse to the Company.
Payments
due under the note consist of monthly principal and interest through April
22,
2008, interest only from April 22, 2008 until the maturity date, and a balloon
principal payment due on the maturity date. During the three months ended March
31, 2007, AeroCentury V LLC repaid $236,880 of principal. The balance of the
note payable at March 31, 2007 was $5,183,830 and interest of $11,330 was
accrued. As of March 31, 2007, the Company was in compliance with all covenants
of this note obligation.
AeroCentury
Corp.
Notes
to
Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
March
31,
2007
5. Stockholder
Rights Plan
On
April
8, 1998, the Company’s Board of Directors adopted a stockholder rights plan
granting a dividend of one stock purchase right for each share of the Company’s
common stock outstanding as of April 23, 1998. The rights become exercisable
only upon the occurrence of certain events specified in the plan, including
the
acquisition of 15% of the Company’s outstanding common stock by a person or
group. Each right entitles the holder to purchase one one-hundredth of a share
of Series A Preferred Stock of the Company at an exercise price of $66.00 per
one-one-hundredth of a share. Each right entitles the holder, other than an
“acquiring person,” to acquire shares of the Company’s common stock at a 50%
discount to the then prevailing market price. The Company’s Board of Directors
may redeem outstanding rights at a price of $0.01 per right.
6. Income
Taxes
The
items
comprising income tax expense are as follows:
|
|
For
the Three Months Ended
March
31,
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current
tax provision:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Federal
|
|
$
|
2,760
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
State
|
|
|
2,260
|
|
|
1,200
|
|
Foreign
|
|
|
39,130
|
|
|
-
|
|
Current
tax provision
|
|
|
44,150
|
|
|
1,200
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred
tax provision:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Federal
|
|
|
455,610
|
|
|
27,670
|
|
State
|
|
|
(8,120
|
)
|
|
2,210
|
|
Deferred
tax provision
|
|
|
447,490
|
|
|
29,880
|
|
Total
provision for income taxes
|
|
$
|
491,640
|
|
$
|
31,080
|
|
Total
income tax expense differs from the amount that would be provided by applying
the statutory federal income tax rate to pretax earnings as illustrated
below:
|
|
For
the Three Months Ended
March
31,
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
(as
restated)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income
tax provision at statutory federal income tax rate
|
|
$
|
498,240
|
|
$
|
28,080
|
|
State
tax provision, net of federal benefit
|
|
|
7,030
|
|
|
900
|
|
Tax
rate differences
|
|
|
(13,630
|
)
|
|
2,100
|
|
Total
income tax provision
|
|
$
|
491,640
|
|
$
|
31,080
|
|
Tax
rate
differences reflect the change in effective state tax rates that resulted from
changes in state income tax apportionments related to changed nexus of aircraft
leasing activities among various states.
AeroCentury
Corp.
Notes
to
Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
March
31,
2007
6. Income
Taxes (continued)
Temporary
differences and carry-forwards that give rise to a significant portion of
deferred tax assets and liabilities as of March 31, 2007 are as
follows:
Deferred
tax assets:
|
|
|
|
|
Prior
year tax losses
|
|
$
|
1,036,020
|
|
Prepaid
rent
|
|
|
228,860
|
|
Cumulative
effects of prior year adjustments
|
|
|
238,910
|
|
Maintenance
|
|
|
122,480
|
|
Foreign
tax credit carryover
|
|
|
145,820
|
|
Bad
debt allowance and other
|
|
|
5,660
|
|
Deferred
tax assets
|
|
|
1,777,750
|
|
Deferred
tax liabilities -
|
|
|
|
|
Accumulated
depreciation on aircraft and aircraft engines
|
|
|
(6,362,960
|
)
|
Net
deferred tax liabilities
|
|
$
|
(4,585,210
|
)
|
No
valuation allowance is deemed necessary, as the Company has concluded that,
based on an assessment of all available evidence, it is more likely than not
that future taxable income will be sufficient to realize the tax benefits of
all
the deferred tax assets on the consolidated balance sheet. The prior year tax
losses will be available to offset taxable income in each of the two preceding
tax years and in future years through 2026. The foreign tax credit carryover
will be available to offset federal tax expense in the first preceding tax
year
and in future years through 2017.
As
described in Note 1, the Company adopted FIN 48 on January 1, 2007, which
proscribes treatment of "unrecognized tax positions," and requires measurement
and disclosure of such amounts. At both January 1, 2007 and March 31, 2007,
the
Company had no material unrecognized tax benefits.
The
Company accounts for interest related to uncertain tax positions as interest
expense, and for penalties as tax expense.
All
of
the Company's tax years remain open to examination other than as barred in
the
various jurisdictions by statutes of limitations.
7. Related
Party Transactions
The
Company has no employees. Its portfolio of leased aircraft assets is managed
and
administered under the terms of a management agreement with JetFleet Management
Corp. (“JMC”), which is an integrated aircraft management, marketing and
financing business and a subsidiary of JetFleet Holding Corp. ("JHC"). Certain
officers of the Company are also officers of JHC and JMC and hold significant
ownership positions in both JHC and the Company. Under the management agreement,
JMC receives a monthly management fee based on the net asset value of the assets
under management. JMC also receives an acquisition fee for locating assets
for
the Company, provided that the aggregate purchase price, including chargeable
acquisition costs and any acquisition fee, does not exceed the fair market
value
of the asset based on appraisal, and may receive a remarketing fee in connection
with the sale or re-lease of the Company’s assets. The Company recorded
management fees of $683,400 and
$696,350
during
the three months ended March 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively. Because the
Company did not acquire any aircraft during the first three months of 2007
or
2006, no acquisition fees were paid to JMC for these periods. No
remarketing fees were paid to JMC during the three months ended March 31, 2007
or 2006.
AeroCentury
Corp.
Notes
to
Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
March
31,
2007
8. Subsequent
Events
On
April
17, 2007, the Company and the lenders under its revolving credit facility
entered into an amended and restated credit agreement, which provides for (i)
a
three-year term, (ii) a $25 million increase in the current amount available
under the credit facility to $80 million and (iii) the ability to increase
the
maximum amount available under the credit facility to $110 million. Certain
financial covenants were also modified.
On
April
17, 2007, the Company entered into a
Securities Purchase Agreement, whereby
the Company may issue 16% senior unsecured subordinated notes ("Subordinated
Notes"), with an aggregate principal amount of up to $28 million. The
Subordinated Notes are due December 30, 2011 and fully amortize. Under the
Securities Purchase Agreement, the Note Purchasers also were issued Warrants
to
purchase up to 171,473 shares of the Company's Common Stock at an exercise
price
of $8.75, which are subject to registration rights pursuant to an Investor's
Registration Rights Agreement. At the April 17 closing, $10 million of the
Subordinated
Notes were
sold
at 99% of the face amount less $500,000. Any notes issued for the remaining
$18
million of Subordinated Debt will be sold at 99% of the face amount, at
subsequent closings expected to occur on or before June 30, 2008.
Item
2. Management’s
Discussion and Analysis or Plan of Operation.
Overview
The
Company is a lessor of regional aircraft and engines which are used by customers
pursuant to triple net operating
leases. The acquisition of such equipment is generally made using debt
financing. The Company’s profitability and cash flow are dependent in large part
upon its ability to acquire equipment, obtain and maintain favorable lease
rates
on such equipment, and re-lease or sell owned equipment that comes off lease.
The Company is subject to the credit risk of its lessees, both as to collection
of rent and to performance by lessees of obligations for maintaining the
aircraft. Since lease rates for assets in the Company’s portfolio generally
decline as the assets age, the Company’s ability to maintain revenue and
earnings is primarily dependent upon the Company’s ability to grow its asset
portfolio.
The
Company’s principal expenditures are for interest costs on its financing,
management fees, and maintenance of its aircraft assets. Maintenance
expenditures are incurred when aircraft are off lease, are being prepared for
re-lease, or require maintenance in excess of lease return conditions, as well
as when maintenance work is performed in connection with the release of
non-refundable maintenance reserves previously received by the Company from
lessees. See “c.
Maintenance
Reserves and Accrued Costs,”
below,
regarding the Company’s accounting treatment of maintenance
expenses.
The
most
significant non-cash expenses include aircraft depreciation, which is the result
of significant estimates, and, beginning in the second quarter of 2007,
amortization of costs associated with the Company’s Subordinated Notes.
Critical
Accounting Policies, Judgments and Estimates
The
discussion and analysis of the Company’s financial condition and results of
operations are based upon the consolidated financial statements, which have
been
prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the
United States of America. The preparation of these financial statements requires
management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts
of
assets and liabilities, revenues and expenses, and the related disclosure of
contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements.
Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions
or
conditions.
The
Company’s significant accounting policies are described in Note 1 to the
consolidated financial statements. The Company believes that the most critical
accounting policies include the following: Impairment of Long-lived Assets;
Depreciation Policy; Maintenance Reserves and Accrued Costs; Revenue Recognition
and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts; and Accounting for Income
Taxes.
a. Impairment
of Long-lived Assets
The
Company periodically reviews its portfolio of assets for impairment in
accordance with SFAS 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of
Long-lived Assets." Such review necessitates estimates of current market
values, re-lease rents, residual values and component values. The
estimates are based on currently available market data and third-party
appraisals and are subject to fluctuation from time to time.
The Company initiates its review periodically, whenever events or changes in
circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of a long-lived asset may not
be
recoverable. Recoverability of an asset is measured by comparison of its
carrying amount to the expected future undiscounted cash flows (without interest
charges) that the asset is expected to generate. Any impairment to be
recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset
exceeds its fair market value. Significant management judgment is required
in the forecasting of future operating results which are used in the preparation
of projected undiscounted cash flows and should different conditions prevail,
material write downs may occur.
b. Depreciation
Policy
The
Company’s interests in aircraft and aircraft engines are recorded at cost, which
includes acquisition costs. The Company purchases only used aircraft. It is
the
Company’s policy to hold aircraft for approximately twelve years unless market
conditions necessitate earlier disposition. Depreciation is computed using
the
straight-line method over the twelve year period to an estimated residual value
based on appraisal. Decreases in the market value of aircraft could not only
affect the current value, discussed above, but could also affect the assumed
residual value. The Company periodically obtains a residual value appraisal
for
its assets and, historically, has not had to write down any assets due to
revised estimated residuals.
c. Maintenance
Reserves and Accrued Costs
Maintenance
costs under the Company’s triple net leases are generally the responsibility of
the lessees. Maintenance reserves and accrued costs in the accompanying
consolidated balance sheet include refundable maintenance payments received
from
lessees, which will be paid out as related maintenance is performed.
Due
to the
recent adoption of FSP AUG AIR-1, as discussed in Note 1 to the Financial
Statements, the Company was required to discontinue the accrue-in-advance method
of accounting for planned major maintenance for financial reporting periods
beginning on January 1, 2007. The Company has evaluated the impact of the
adoption of this new staff position and determined that it will use the direct
expensing method, under which actual costs incurred are expensed directly.
The
new mandated accounting method also requires the accrual of non-refundable
maintenance reserves from the Company’s lessees for planned major maintenance to
be reflected as income, and performance of maintenance work in connection with
the release of maintenance reserves to be reflected as an expense when
maintenance is actually performed. If an invoice for work performed is not
received at the end of a reporting period, the Company estimates the amount
of
such expenses, based on the amount of reserves previously received from the
lessee and information provided by the lessee regarding maintenance status.
Accrued
costs also reflect amounts accrued by the Company for maintenance work performed
under certain circumstances and which is not related to the release of reserves
received from lessees.
Historically,
as a result of two situations, the Company incurred significant maintenance
expense when aircraft were returned early and in a condition worse than required
by the lease and for which the Company was unable to recover the costs of
non-compliance from the lessees.
d. Revenue
Recognition and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
Revenue
from leasing of aircraft assets is recognized as operating lease revenue on
a
straight-line basis over the terms of the applicable lease agreements. The
Company estimates and charges to income a provision for bad debts based on
its
experience in the business and with each specific customer, the level of past
due accounts, and its analysis of the lessees’ overall financial condition. If
the financial condition of the Company’s customers deteriorates, it could result
in actual losses exceeding the estimated allowances.
e. Accounting
for Income Taxes
As
part
of the process of preparing the Company’s consolidated financial statements,
management is required to estimate income taxes in each of the jurisdictions
in
which the Company operates. This process involves estimating the Company’s
current tax exposure under the most recent tax laws and assessing temporary
differences resulting from differing treatment of items for tax and accounting
purposes. These differences result in deferred tax assets and liabilities,
which
are included in the consolidated balance sheet. Management must also assess
the
likelihood that the Company’s deferred tax assets will be recovered from future
taxable income, and, to the extent management believes it is more likely than
not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized,
the Company must establish a valuation allowance. To the extent the Company
establishes a valuation allowance or changes the allowance in a period, the
Company reflects the corresponding increase or decrease within the tax provision
in the consolidated statements of operations. As discussed in Note 1 to the
financial statements, the Company adopted FIN 48 on January 1, 2007, which
proscribes treatment of “unrecognized tax positions” and requires measurement
and disclosure of such amounts.
Significant
management judgment is required in determining the Company’s future taxable
income for purposes of assessing the Company’s ability to realize any benefit
from its deferred taxes. In the event that actual results differ from these
estimates or the Company adjusts these estimates in future periods, the
Company’s operating results and financial position could be materially
affected.
Results
of Operations
a. Revenues
Operating
lease revenue was approximately $506,000 higher in the three months ended March
31, 2007 versus the same period in 2006, primarily because of increased
operating lease revenue from aircraft purchased in the fourth quarter of 2006
and revenue from several aircraft which had been off lease for all or part
of
the first three months of 2006, the effects of which were partially offset
by a
decrease in revenue from an aircraft which was sold in the second quarter of
2006.
Maintenance
reserves income was approximately $36,000 higher in the three months ended
March
31, 2007 versus the same period in 2006, as a result of increased aircraft
usage
by the Company’s lessees, on which the amount of reserves income is
based.
Other
income was approximately $16,000 higher in the three months ended March 31,
2007
versus the same period in 2006, primarily as a result of an increase in the
amount of interest income earned on the Company’s cash balances, which were
higher in 2007, net of accrued interest on certain of the Company’s securities
deposits and maintenance reserves payable to several lessees.
b. Expense
items
Depreciation
was approximately $80,000 higher in the three months ended March 31, 2007 versus
2006, primarily because of purchases of aircraft in the fourth quarter of 2006,
the effect of which was partially offset by an aircraft sale in the second
quarter of 2006. Management fees, which are calculated on the net book value
of
the aircraft owned by the Company, were approximately $13,000 lower in the
three
months ended March 31, 2007 compared to 2006 because of lower net book values
as
a result of depreciation and adjustments made in December 2006 and January
2007
as a result of the Company’s adoption of SAB 108 and FSP AUG AIR-1,
respectively. The effects of these changes were partially offset by the purchase
of three aircraft in the fourth quarter of 2006.
Interest
expense was approximately $57,000 higher in the three months ended March 31,
2007 versus 2006, primarily as a result of increases in the index rates upon
which the Company’s interest rates are based, the effect of which was partially
offset by a lower average principal balance and margin in 2007 compared to
2006.
The
Company’s maintenance expense is dependent on the aggregate maintenance claims
submitted by lessees and expenses incurred in connection with off-lease
aircraft. As a result of lower total lessee claims and fewer off-lease aircraft
in 2007, the Company incurred approximately $867,000 less in maintenance expense
in the three months ended March 31, 2007 versus the same period in
2006.
Maintenance
expense was approximately $867,000 lower in the three months ended March 31,
2007 compared to 2006, primarily as a result of lower expense for maintenance
claims submitted by lessees and lower expense to prepare aircraft for re-lease
in 2007 than in 2006.
Total
professional fees and general and administrative expenses were approximately
the
same in the three month periods ended March 31, 2007 and 2006. Legal expense,
however, was approximately $45,000 lower in 2007, primarily because of costs
associated with the early return of an aircraft in 2006. Accounting fees were
approximately $40,000 higher in 2007 as a result of additional costs incurred
in
connection with the audit of the Company’s 2006 financial statements. Directors
fees were also higher by approximately $5,000 in 2007 as a result of higher
fees
authorized by the board of directors, effective January 1, 2007.
The
Company's insurance expense consists primarily of directors and officers
insurance, as well as product liability insurance and insurance for off-lease
aircraft and aircraft engines, which varies depending on the type of assets
insured during each period and the length of time each asset is insured. As
a
result of the combination of assets insured during each period and the length
of
time each was insured, insurance expense was approximately $48,000 lower in
the
first three months of 2007 versus the same period of 2006. Directors and
officers insurance expense was approximately $3,000 less in 2007 as a result
of
a lower annual premium.
During
the first three months of 2007, the Company recorded bad debt expense of
approximately $16,000 for reserves receivable which was written off in
connection with a lessee’s early return of two aircraft. During the first three
months of 2006, the Company recorded bad debt expense of approximately $49,000
for rent receivable which was written off in connection with a lessee’s early
return of an aircraft.
The
Company did not record any impairment charges in the first three months of
2007
or 2006.
The
Company’s effective tax rates for the period ended March 31, 2007 and 2006 were
approximately 34% and 38%, respectively. The change in rate was primarily a
result of the change in effective state tax rates resulting from the decrease
in
the number of aircraft leased to domestic carriers.
Liquidity
and Capital Resources
The
Company is currently financing its assets primarily through debt borrowings,
special purpose financing and excess cash flow.
(a) Credit
facility
In
November 2005, the Company’s credit facility was renewed through October 31,
2007. In connection with the renewal, certain financial covenants were modified,
including the applicable margin, which is added to the index rate for each
of
the Company’s outstanding loans under the credit facility. The margin, which is
determined by certain financial ratios, was revised from a range of 275 to
375
basis points to a range of 275 to 325 basis points. In May 2006, a
participant was added to the Company’s credit facility and the amount of the
facility was increased from $50 million to $55 million.
On
April
17, 2007, the Company and the lenders entered into an amended and restated
credit agreement, which provides for (i) a three-year term, (ii) a $25 million
increase in the current amount available under the credit facility to $80
million and (iii) the ability to increase the maximum amount available under
the
credit facility to $110 million. Certain financial covenants were also
modified.
During
the first three months of 2007, the Company repaid $3,000,000 of the outstanding
principal under its credit facility. The
balance of the note payable at March 31, 2007 was $47,896,000
and interest of $112,210 was accrued.
On
June
30, 2006, the Company was out of compliance with a financial ratio covenant
which is based on net income. The Company obtained a waiver from its banks
regarding that covenant for the quarter then ended. The Company is currently
in
compliance with all covenants and, based on its current projections, the Company
believes it will continue to be in compliance with all covenants of its credit
facility, but there can be no assurance of such compliance in the future. See
"Factors
That May Affect Future Results - 'Risks of Debt Financing’ and 'Credit Facility
Obligations,’” below.
The
Company's interest expense in connection with the credit facility generally
moves up and down with prevailing interest rates, as the Company has not entered
into any interest rate hedge transactions for the credit facility indebtedness.
Because aircraft owners seeking financing generally can obtain financing
through either leasing transactions or traditional secured debt financings,
prevailing interest rates are a significant factor in determining market lease
rates, and market lease rates generally move up or down with prevailing interest
rates, assuming supply and demand of the desired equipment remain constant.
However, because lease rates for the Company’s assets typically are fixed
under existing leases, the Company normally does not experience any positive
or
negative impact in revenue from changes in market lease rates due to interest
rate changes until existing leases have terminated and new lease rates are
set
as the aircraft is re-leased.
(b) Unsecured
subordinated debt
On
April
17, 2007, the Company entered into a
Securities Purchase Agreement, whereby
the Company may issue 16% senior unsecured subordinated notes ("Subordinated
Notes"), with an aggregate principal amount of up to $28 million. The
Subordinated Notes are due December 30, 2011 and fully amortize. Under the
Securities Purchase Agreement, the Note Purchasers also were issued Warrants
to
purchase up to 171,473 shares of the Company's Common Stock, which are subject
to registration rights pursuant to an Investor's Registration Rights Agreement.
At the April 17 closing, $10 million of the Subordinated
Notes were
sold
at 99% of the face amount less $500,000. Notes issued for the remaining $18
million of Subordinated Debt will be sold at 99% of the face amount. The Company
intends to use the proceeds of the debt offering for acquisition of additional
aircraft assets.
(c) Special
purpose financing
In
September 2000, a special purpose subsidiary acquired a deHavilland DHC-8-100
aircraft using cash and bank financing separate from its credit facility.
The
related note obligation, which was due April 15, 2006, was refinanced in April
2006, using
bank financing from another lender, and the subsidiary was dissolved. The
aircraft was transferred to AeroCentury VI LLC, a newly formed special purpose
limited liability company, which borrowed $1,650,000, due October 15, 2009.
The
note bears interest at an adjustable rate of one-month LIBOR plus 3%.
The
note
is collateralized by the aircraft and the Company’s interest in AeroCentury VI
LLC and is non-recourse to the Company. Payments
due under the note consist of monthly principal and interest through April
20,
2009, interest only from April 20, 2009 until the maturity date, and a balloon
principal payment due on the maturity date. If the aircraft lease agreement
is
terminated on April 15, 2008 pursuant to a lessee early termination option,
the
note will be due October 15, 2008, and the interest only period will be from
April 20, 2008 through October 15, 2008. During the three months ended March
31,
2007, $75,840 of principal was repaid on the note. The balance of the note
payable at Mach 31, 2007 was $1,345,500 and interest of $3,730 was accrued.
As
of March 31, 2007, the Company was in compliance with all covenants of this
note
obligation and is currently in compliance.
In
November 2005, the Company refinanced two DHC-8-300 aircraft that had been
part
of the collateral base for its credit facility. The financing, by a bank
separate from its credit facility, was provided to a newly formed special
purpose subsidiary, AeroCentury V LLC, to which the aircraft were transferred.
The financing resulted in a note obligation in the amount of $6,400,000, due
November 10, 2008, which bears interest at
the
rate 7.87%.
The
note
is collateralized by the aircraft and is non-recourse to the Company.
Payments
due under the note consist of monthly principal and interest through April
22,
2008, interest only from April 22, 2008 until the maturity date, and a balloon
principal payment due on the maturity date. During the three months ended March
31, 2007, AeroCentury V LLC repaid $236,880 of principal. The balance of the
note payable at March 31, 2007 was $5,183,830 and interest of $11,330 was
accrued. As of March 31, 2007, the Company was in compliance with all covenants
of this note obligation and is currently in compliance.
The
availability of special purpose financing in the future will depend on receiving
specific dispensation from the senior lenders and the Subordinated Note holders.
(d) Cash
flow
The
Company's primary source of revenue is lease rentals of its aircraft assets.
It
is the Company’s policy to monitor each lessee’s needs in periods before leases
are due to expire. If it appears that a customer will not be renewing its lease,
the Company immediately initiates marketing efforts to locate a potential new
lessee or purchaser for the aircraft. The goal of this procedure is to reduce
the time that an asset will be off lease. The Company’s aircraft are subject to
leases with varying expiration dates through November 2011.
Management
believes that the Company will have adequate cash flow to meet its ongoing
operational needs, including required repayments under its credit facility,
based upon its estimates of future revenues and expenditures. The Company’s
expectations concerning such cash flows are based on existing lease terms and
rents, as well as numerous estimates, including (i) rents on assets to be
re-leased, (ii) sale proceeds of certain assets currently under lease, (iii)
the
cost and anticipated timing of maintenance to be performed and (iv) acquisition
of additional aircraft and the lease thereof at favorable lease terms. While
the
Company believes that the assumptions it has made in forecasting its cash flow
are reasonable in light of experience, actual results could deviate from such
assumptions. Among the more significant external factors outside the Company’s
control that could have an impact on the accuracy of cash flow assumptions
are
(i) an increase in interest rates that negatively affects the Company’s
profitability and causes the Company to violate covenants of its credit facility
and its Subordinated Note agreement, and may require repayment of some or all
of
the amounts outstanding under its credit facility, (ii) lessee non-performance
or non-compliance with lease obligations (which may affect credit facility
collateral limitations and Subordinated Note covenants, as well as revenue
and
expenses) and (iii) an unexpected deterioration of demand for aircraft
equipment.
(i) Operating
activities
The
Company’s cash flow from operations for the three months ended March 31, 2007
versus 2006 increased by approximately $743,000. The change in cash flow is
a
result of changes in several cash flow items during the period, including
principally the following:
Lease
rents, maintenance reserves and security deposits
Payments
received from lessees for rent were approximately $125,000 higher in the first
three months of 2007 versus the same period in 2006, due primarily to the effect
of increased payments for aircraft purchased in November 2006 and rent for
several aircraft which had been off lease for all or part of the first three
months of 2006, the effects of which were partially offset by a decrease in
rental payments for an aircraft which was sold in 2006.. Although increased
demand generally in the turboprop market has caused lease rates to stabilize
and, in some cases, rise, it cannot be predicted that rental rates on aircraft
to be re-leased will not decline, so that, absent additional acquisitions by
the
Company, aggregate lease revenues for the current portfolio could decline over
the long term.
Security
deposits received decreased by approximately $654,000 in the first three months
of 2007 versus 2006 because the Company did not acquire aircraft or re-lease
any
aircraft to new lessees during the 2007 period and, therefore, received no
security deposits.
Expenditures
for maintenance
Expenditures
for maintenance were approximately $1,375,000 lower in the three months ended
March 31, 2007 versus the same period in 2006 primarily as a result of higher
payments during 2006 for maintenance performed to prepare several of the
Company’s aircraft for remarketing and for maintenance reserves claims submitted
by lessees. The amount of expenditures for maintenance in future periods will
be
dependent on the amount and timing of maintenance paid from lessee maintenance
reserves held by the Company and the off-lease status of the Company’s
aircraft.
Expenditures
for interest
Expenditures
for interest increased by approximately $236,000 in the first three months
of
2007 compared to 2006, primarily as a result of higher average interest rates,
the effect of which was partially offset by a lower average credit facility
principal balance and margin in 2007 compared to 2006. Interest expenditures
in
future periods will be a product of prevailing interest rates and the
outstanding credit facility principal balance, which may be influenced by future
acquisitions and/or required repayments resulting from changes in the collateral
base, as well as the outstanding principal of the Subordinated Notes and
principal payments required by the Subordinated Note covenants. As a result
of
the Company’s expected Subordinated Note financings, it is likely that
expenditures for interest will increase significantly.
Expenditures
for acquisition fees
Because
the Company did not acquire any aircraft during the first three months of 2007,
it paid no acquisition fees during the period. During the first three months
of
2006, the Company paid $314,000 to JMC for the acquisition fee accrued in
December 2005 upon the purchase of four aircraft and which was included in
the
Company’s accounts payable balance at December 31, 2005.
Expenditures
for professional fees and general and administrative expenses
Expenditures
for professional fees and general and administrative expenses decreased by
approximately $81,000 in the three months ended March 31, 2007 versus the same
period in 2006, primarily as a result of lower legal expenditures.
Expenditures
for prepaid expenses
Expenditures
for prepaid expenses were approximately $304,000 higher in the first three
months of 2007 versus the same period in 2006, primarily as a result of a
deposit paid to the seller of two aircraft which the Company anticipates
acquiring in the second quarter of 2007.
(ii) Investing
activities
During
the three months ended March 31, 2006, the Company used $433,000 for capital
equipment installed on aircraft. The Company made no such investments in the
three months ended March 31, 2007.
(iii) Financing
activities
The
$3,029,000 increase in cash flow used by financing activities was a result
of
the Company’s repayments of $3,000,000 of principal under its credit facility in
2007.
Outlook
In
April
2007, the Company signed an agreement for a $25 million increase in its
revolving credit facility, with the ability to increase the maximum amount
available under the facility to $110 million. At the same time it entered into
an agreement to issue
up
to $28 million of Subordinated Notes. At the same time, the Company issued
$10
million of the Subordinated Notes, and is required to draw the remaining $18
million on or before June 30, 2008. As the Subordinated Notes bear fixed
interest of 16% per annum immediately upon issuance, as well as an unused
commitment fee on the unissued balance, an important factor in the Company’s
near term results will be the Company’s ability to expediently locate and
acquire assets using the Subordinated Note proceeds, in order to generate
revenue to offset the increased interest expense. The Company anticipates that
the combined credit facility increase and potential for a further increase
in
the credit facility by an additional $30 million, along with the Subordinated
Debt financing, should provide sufficient capital for its projected short-
and
medium-term future acquisitions.
In
March
2007, the Company and the lessee of two aircraft, which have leases expiring
in
May and July 2008, agreed to the early return of the aircraft based on the
lessee’s financial difficulties. The
Company is negotiating a termination settlement with the lessee and is seeking
re-lease or sale opportunities for these aircraft.
There
is no assurance as to when the Company will be successful in its efforts to
re-lease or sell the aircraft, but the Company believes that, even if the
aircraft are off lease for an extended period of time, it will be able to remain
in compliance with the terms of its credit facility and Subordinated Notes.
Several
of the Company’s aircraft leases are scheduled to expire in 2007. The Company
expects that all but one of them will be renewed. The Company believes that
it
will be able to re-lease the one aircraft it expects to be returned at lease
end
and that, even if the aircraft is off lease for an extended period of time,
it
will be able to remain in compliance with the terms of its credit facility
and
Subordinated Notes.
The
Company continually monitors the financial condition of its lessees to avoid
unanticipated creditworthiness issues, and where necessary, works with lessees
to ensure continued compliance with both monetary and non-monetary obligations
under their respective leases. Currently, the Company is closely monitoring
the
performance of two lessees with a total of three aircraft under lease. The
Company continues to work closely with these lessees to ensure compliance with
their current obligations. During
the first three months of 2007, the Company incurred $16,000 of bad debt expense
related to amounts owed by the lessee of two of the Company’s aircraft,
discussed above. If any of the Company's current lessees are unable to meet
their lease obligations, the Company's future results could be materially
impacted.
Any
weakening in the aircraft industry may also affect the performance of lessees
that currently appear to the Company to be creditworthy. See "Factors
that May Affect Future Results - General Economic Conditions,"
below.
Due
to
the recent adoption of FSP AUG AIR-1, as discussed in Note 1 to the Financial
Statements and under “Critical
Accounting Policies, Judgments and Estimates, c. Maintenance Reserves and
Accrued Costs”,
above, the
treatment of non-refundable maintenance reserves will impact the Company’s
income and expenses and, as a result, beginning in the first quarter of 2007,
the Company believes that its reported net income may be subject to greater
fluctuations from quarter-to-quarter than would have been the case had the
Company continued its use of the previous method of accounting for planned
major
maintenance activities.
Factors
that May Affect Future Results
Risks
of Debt Financing.
The
Company’s use of debt as the primary form of acquisition financing subjects the
Company to increased risks of leveraging. With respect to the credit facility,
the loans are secured by the Company’s existing assets as well as the specific
assets acquired with each financing. In addition to payment obligations, the
credit facility also requires the Company to comply with certain financial
covenants, including a requirement of positive annual earnings, interest
coverage and net worth ratios. Any default under the credit facility, if not
waived by the lenders, could result in foreclosure upon not only the asset
acquired using such financing, but also the existing assets of the Company
securing the loan.
The
addition of the Subordinated Note debt, while providing additional resources
for
acquisition by the Company of revenue generating assets, also has the effect
of
increasing the Company’s overall cost of capital, as the Subordinated Notes bear
an effective overall interest rate that is higher than the rate charged on
the
credit facility. Since the Subordinated Notes bear interest immediately upon
issuance, the Company’s success in utilizing the proceeds to purchase income
generating assets will be critical to the financial results of the Company.
The
Company has not yet identified specific asset acquisitions for which the entire
Subordinated Note proceeds will be applied, but believes that it will be
successful in timely acquiring appropriate assets for acquisition to take full
financial advantage of the additional resources provided under the increased
credit facility and Subordinated Note financing.
Interest
Rate Risk.
The
Company’s current credit facility and the indebtedness of one of its special
purpose subsidiaries carry a floating interest rate based upon either the
lender’s prime rate or a floating LIBOR rate. Lease rates, generally, but not
always, move with interest rates, but market demand for the asset also affects
lease rates. Because lease rates are fixed at the origination of leases,
interest rate increases during the term of a lease have no effect on existing
lease payments. Therefore, if interest rates rise significantly, and there
is
relatively little lease origination by the Company following such rate
increases, the Company could experience lower net earnings. Further, even if
significant lease origination occurs following such rate increases, if the
contemporaneous aircraft market forces result in lower or flat rental rates,
the
Company could experience lower net earnings as well.
Recent
actions by the Federal Reserve Board indicate that its previous moves to
increase the prevailing short term borrowing rates have ceased for the time
being, but there is no assurance that economic circumstances may not cause
the
Board to resume moving short term borrowing rates higher. The Company has not
hedged its variable rate debt obligations and such obligations are based on
short-term interest rate indexes. Consequently, if an interest rate increase
were great enough, the Company might not be able to generate sufficient lease
revenue to meet its interest payment and other obligations and comply with
the
net earnings covenant of its credit facility.
Credit
Facility Obligations.
The
Company is obligated to make repayment of principal under the credit facility
in
order to maintain certain debt ratios with respect to its assets in the
borrowing base. Assets that come off lease and remain off-lease for a period
of
time are removed from the borrowing base. The Company believes it will have
sufficient cash funds to make any payment that arises due to borrowing base
limitations caused by assets scheduled to come off lease in the near term.
The
Company’s belief is based on certain assumptions regarding renewal of existing
leases, a lack of extraordinary interest rate increases, continuing
profitability, no lessee defaults or bankruptcies, and certain other matters
that the Company deems reasonable in light of its experience in the industry.
There can be no assurance that the Company’s assumptions will prove to be
correct. If the assumptions are incorrect (for example, if an asset in the
collateral base unexpectedly goes off lease for an extended period of time)
and
the Company has not obtained an applicable waiver or amendment of applicable
covenants from its lenders to mitigate the situation, the Company may have
to
sell a significant portion of its portfolio in order to maintain compliance
with
covenants or face default on its credit facility.
Warrant
Issuance.
As part
of the Subordinated Note financing, the Company has issued warrants to purchase
up to 171,473 shares of the Company’s common stock, which is equal to 10% of the
post-exercise fully diluted capitalization of the Company. The exercise price
under the Warrants is $8.75 per share. If the shares are exercised, this could
lead to dilution to the existing holders of Common Stock. This dilution of
the
Company’s common stock could depress its trading price.
Concentration
of Lessees and Aircraft Type.
Currently, the Company’s seven largest customers are located in Belgium, Taiwan,
the Caribbean, Norway, the United States and Sweden, and currently account
for
approximately 14%, 13%, 12%, 11%, 10%, 10% and 10%, respectively, of the
Company’s monthly lease revenue. A
lease
default by or collection problems with one of these customers could have a
disproportionate negative impact on the Company’s financial results, and
therefore, the Company’s operating results are especially sensitive to any
negative developments with respect to these customers in terms of lease
compliance or collection. Such concentration of lessee credit risk will diminish
in the future only if the Company is able to lease additional assets to new
lessees.
The
Company owns fourteen Fokker 50, eight DHC-8-300 and six Saab 340B aircraft,
making these three aircraft types the dominant types in the portfolio and
representing 36%, 37% and 11%, respectively, based on net book value. As a
result, a change in the desirability and availability of any of these types
of
aircraft, which would in turn affect valuations of such aircraft, would have
a
disproportionately large impact on the Company’s portfolio value. Such aircraft
type concentration will diminish if the Company acquires additional assets
of
other types. Conversely, acquisition of these types of aircraft will increase
the Company’s risks related to its concentration of those aircraft
types.
Investment
in New Aircraft Types.
The
Company has traditionally invested in a limited number of types of turboprop
aircraft and engines. While the Company intends to continue to focus solely
on
regional aircraft and engines, the Company may pursue acquisitions of other
types of regional aircraft and engines used in the Company's targeted customer
base of regional air carriers, including other types of turboprop aircraft,
as
well as regional jet aircraft and engines. Acquisition of other aircraft types
and engines not previously acquired by the Company entails greater ownership
risk due to the Company's lack of experience with those types. The Company
believes, however, that JMC personnel's overall industry experience and its
technical resources should permit the Company to effectively manage such new
aircraft. Further, the broadening of the asset types in the aircraft portfolio
may have a countervailing benefit of diversifying the Company's portfolio (See
"Factors
That May Affect Future Results - Concentration of Lessees and Aircraft
Type,”
above).
Increased
Compliance Costs.
Current
Sarbanes-Oxley Act requirements applicable to the Company effective for the
year
ended December 31, 2007 relating to internal controls could result in
significantly higher fees and expenses in connection with auditor services
beginning in 2007. The increase will generally arise from increased auditor
responsibilities, including broadening of the scope of the auditor's examination
to include the Company's internal controls. If the regulations remain unchanged,
the Company anticipates that it will have sufficient funds to pay for the
increased compliance costs.
Lessee
Credit Risk. If
a
customer defaults upon its lease obligations, the Company may be limited in
its
ability to enforce remedies. Most of the Company’s lessees are small regional
passenger airlines, which may be even more sensitive to airline industry market
conditions than the major airlines. As a result, the Company’s inability to
collect rent under a lease or to repossess equipment in the event of a default
by a lessee could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s revenue. If a
lessee that is a certified U.S. airline is in default under the lease and seeks
protection under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code, Section 1110
of the Bankruptcy Code would automatically prevent the Company from exercising
any remedies for a period of 60 days. After the 60-day period has passed, the
lessee must agree to perform the obligations and cure any defaults, or the
Company will have the right to repossess the equipment. This procedure under
the
Bankruptcy Code has been subject to significant recent litigation, however,
and
it is possible that the Company’s enforcement rights may be further adversely
affected by a declaration of bankruptcy by a defaulting lessee. Most of the
Company’s lessees are foreign and not subject to U.S. bankruptcy laws but there
may be similar applicable foreign bankruptcy debtor protection schemes available
to foreign carriers.
Leasing
Risks.
The
Company’s successful negotiation of lease extensions, re-leases and sales may be
critical to its ability to achieve its financial objectives, and involves a
number of risks. Demand for lease or purchase of the assets depends on the
economic condition of the airline industry which is, in turn, sensitive to
general economic conditions. The ability to remarket equipment at acceptable
rates may depend on the demand and market values at the time of remarketing.
The
Company anticipates that the bulk of the equipment it acquires will be used
aircraft equipment. The market for used aircraft is cyclical, and generally
reflects economic conditions and the strength of the travel and transportation
industry. The demand for and value of many types of used aircraft in the recent
past has been depressed by such factors as airline financial difficulties,
increased fuel costs, the number of new aircraft on order and the number of
aircraft coming off-lease. Values may also increase for certain aircraft types
that become desirable based on market conditions and changing airline capacity.
If the Company were to purchase an aircraft during a period of increasing
values, it would need a corresponding higher lease rate.
The
Company’s current concentration in a limited number of turboprop airframe and
aircraft engine types subjects the Company to economic risks if an airframe
or
engine type owned by the Company should significantly decline in value relative
to the assets’ purchase price. If “regional jets” were to be used on short
routes previously served by turboprops, even though regional jets are more
expensive to operate than turboprops on those routes, the demand for turboprops
could lessen. This could result in lower lease rates and values for the
Company’s existing turboprop aircraft.
Risks
Related to Regional Air Carriers. Because
the Company has concentrated its existing leases, and intends to continue to
concentrate future leases, on regional air carriers, it is subject to additional
risks. Some of the lessees in the regional air carrier market are companies
that
are start-up, low capital, low margin operations. Often, the success of such
carriers is dependent upon contractual arrangements with major trunk carriers
or
franchises from governmental agencies that provide subsidies for operating
essential air routes, both of which may be subject to termination or
cancellation with short notice periods,. Because of this exposure, the Company
typically is able to obtain generally higher lease rates from these types of
lessees. In the event of a business failure of the lessee or its bankruptcy,
the
Company can generally regain possession of its aircraft, but the aircraft could
be in substantially worse condition than would be the case if the aircraft
were
returned in accordance with the provisions of the lease at lease expiration.
The
Company evaluates the credit risk of each lessee carefully, and attempts to
obtain a third party guaranty, letters of credit or other credit enhancements,
if it deems them necessary. There is no assurance, however, that such
enhancements will be available or that, if obtained, they will fully protect
the
Company from losses resulting from a lessee default or bankruptcy. Also, a
significant area of market growth is outside of the United States, where
collection and enforcement are often more difficult and complicated than in
the
United States. During
2006 and 2005, the Company incurred bad debt expense related to amounts owed
by
three former lessees. This expense materially affected the Company's financial
performance. If any of the Company's current lessees are unable to meet their
lease obligations, the Company's future results could be materially
impacted.
Reliance
on JMC. All
management of the Company is performed by JMC under a management agreement
which
is in the ninth year of a 20-year term and provides for an asset-based
management fee. JMC is not a fiduciary to the Company or its stockholders.
The
Company’s Board of Directors has ultimate control and supervisory responsibility
over all aspects of the Company and owes fiduciary duties to the Company and
its
stockholders. The
Board
has no control over the internal operations of JMC, but the Board does have
the
ability and responsibility to manage the Company's relationship with JMC and
the
performance of JMC's obligations to the Company under the management agreement,
as it would have for any third party service provider to the Company.
While
JMC
may not owe any fiduciary duties to the Company by virtue of the management
agreement, the officers of JMC are also officers of the Company, and in that
capacity owe fiduciary duties to the Company and its stockholders. In addition,
certain officers of the Company hold significant ownership positions in the
Company and JHC, the parent company of JMC.
The
JMC
management agreement may be terminated if JMC defaults on its obligations to
the
Company. However, the agreement provides for liquidated damages in the event
of
its wrongful termination by the Company. All of the officers of JMC are also
officers of the Company, and certain directors of the Company are also directors
of JMC. Consequently, the directors and officers of JMC may have a conflict
of
interest in the event of a dispute between the Company and JMC. Although the
Company has taken steps to prevent conflicts of interest arising from such
dual
roles, such conflicts may still occur.
JMC
has
acted as the management company for two other aircraft portfolio owners,
JetFleet III, which raised approximately $13,000,000 from investors, and
AeroCentury IV, Inc. (“AeroCentury IV”), which raised approximately $5,000,000
from investors. In the first quarter of 2002, AeroCentury IV defaulted on
certain obligations to noteholders. In June 2002, the indenture trustee for
AeroCentury IV’s noteholders repossessed AeroCentury IV’s assets and took over
management of AeroCentury IV’s remaining assets. JetFleet III defaulted on its
bond obligation of $11,076,350 in May 2004. The indenture trustee for JetFleet
III bondholders repossessed JetFleet III’s unsold assets in late May
2004.
Ownership
Risks. The
Company’s portfolio is leased under operating leases, where the terms of the
leases are less than the entire anticipated useful life of an asset. The
Company’s ability to recover its purchase investment in an asset subject to an
operating lease is dependent upon the Company’s ability to profitably re-lease
or sell the asset after the expiration of the initial lease term. Some of the
factors that have an impact on the Company’s ability to re-lease or sell include
worldwide economic conditions, general aircraft market conditions, regulatory
changes that may make an asset’s use more expensive or preclude use unless the
asset is modified, changes in the supply or cost of aircraft equipment and
technological developments which cause the asset to become obsolete. In
addition, a successful investment in an asset subject to an operating lease
depends in part upon having the asset returned by the lessee in the condition
as
required under the lease. If the Company is unable to remarket its aircraft
equipment on favorable terms when the operating leases for such equipment
expire, the Company’s business, financial condition, cash flow, ability to
service debt and results of operations could be adversely affected.
Furthermore,
an asset impairment charge against the Company’s earnings may result from the
occurrence of unexpected adverse changes that impact the Company’s estimates of
expected cash flows generated from such asset. The Company periodically reviews
long-term assets for impairments, in particular, when events or changes in
circumstances indicate the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable.
An
impairment loss is recognized when the carrying amount of an asset is not
recoverable and exceeds its fair value. The Company may be required to recognize
asset impairment charges in the future as a result of a prolonged weak economic
environment, challenging market conditions in the airline industry or events
related to particular lessees, assets or asset types.
International
Risks.
The
Company has focused on leases in overseas markets, which the Company believes
present opportunities. Leases with foreign lessees, however, may present
somewhat different risks than those with domestic lessees.
Foreign
laws, regulations and judicial procedures may be more or less protective of
lessor rights than those which apply in the United States. The Company could
experience collection or repossession problems related to the enforcement of
its
lease agreements under foreign local laws and the remedies in foreign
jurisdictions. The protections potentially offered by Section 1110 of the
Bankruptcy Code do not apply to non-U.S. carriers, and applicable local law
may
not offer similar protections. Certain countries do not have a central
registration or recording system with which to locally establish the Company’s
interest in equipment and related leases. This could make it more difficult
for
the Company to recover an aircraft in the event of a default by a foreign
lessee.
A
lease
with a foreign lessee is subject to risks related to the economy of the country
or region in which such lessee is located, which may be weaker than the U.S.
economy. On the other hand, a foreign economy may remain strong even though
the
U.S. economy does not. A foreign economic downturn may impact a foreign lessee’s
ability to make lease payments, even though the U.S. and other economies remain
stable. Furthermore, foreign lessees are subject to risks related to currency
conversion fluctuations. Although the Company’s current leases are all payable
in U.S. dollars, the Company may agree in the future to leases that permit
payment in foreign currency, which would subject such lease revenue to monetary
risk due to currency fluctuations. Even with U.S. dollar-denominated lease
payment provisions, the Company could still be affected by a devaluation of
the
lessee’s local currency that would make it more difficult for a lessee to meet
its U.S. dollar-denominated lease payments, increasing the risk of default
of
that lessee, particularly if its revenue is primarily derived in the local
currency.
Government
Regulation.
There
are a number of areas in which government regulation may result in costs to
the
Company. These include aircraft registration, safety requirements, required
equipment modifications, and aircraft noise requirements. Although it is
contemplated that the burden and cost of complying with such requirements will
fall primarily upon lessees of equipment, there can be no assurance that the
cost will not fall on the Company. Furthermore, future government regulations
could cause the value of any non-complying equipment owned by the Company to
decline substantially.
Competition.
The
aircraft leasing industry is highly competitive. The Company competes with
aircraft manufacturers, distributors, airlines and other operators, equipment
managers, leasing companies, equipment leasing programs, financial institutions
and other parties engaged in leasing, managing or remarketing aircraft, many
of
which have significantly greater financial resources. However, the Company
believes that it is competitive because of JMC’s experience and operational
efficiency in identifying and obtaining financing for the transaction types
desired by regional air carriers. This market segment, which is characterized
by
transaction sizes of less than $10 million and lessee credits that may be
strong, but are generally unrated, is not well served by the Company’s larger
competitors. JMC has developed a reputation as a global participant in this
segment of the market, and the Company believes that JMC’s reputation benefits
the Company. There is, however, no assurance that the lack of significant
competition from larger aircraft leasing companies will continue or that the
reputation of JMC will continue to be strong in this market segment.
Casualties,
Insurance Coverage.
The
Company, as owner of transportation equipment, may be named in a suit claiming
damages for injuries or damage to property caused by its assets. As a triple
net
lessor, the Company is generally protected against such claims, since the lessee
would be responsible for, insure against and indemnify the Company for such
claims. Further, some protection may be provided by the United States Aviation
Act with respect to the Company’s aircraft assets. It is, however, not clear to
what extent such statutory protection would be available to the Company, and
the
United States Aviation Act may not apply to aircraft operated in foreign
countries. Also, although the Company’s leases generally require a lessee to
insure against likely risks, there may be certain cases where the loss is not
entirely covered by the lessee or its insurance. Though this is a remote
possibility, an uninsured loss with respect to the equipment, or an insured
loss
for which insurance proceeds are inadequate, would result in a possible loss
of
invested capital in and any profits anticipated from, such equipment, as well
as
a potential claim directly against the Company.
General
Economic Conditions. The
Company’s business is dependent upon general economic conditions and the
strength of the travel and transportation industry. The industry has experienced
a severe cyclical downturn which began in 2001. There are signs that the
industry is beginning to recover from the downturn, but it is unclear whether
any recovery will be a sustained one. Any recovery could be stalled or reversed
by any number of events or circumstances, including the global economy slipping
back into recession, or specific events related to the air travel industry,
such
as terrorist attacks, or an increase in operational or labor costs. Recent
spikes in oil prices, if they persist, may have a negative effect on airline
profits and increase the likelihood of weakening results for airlines that
have
not hedged aircraft fuel costs, and in the most extreme cases, may initiate
or
accelerate the failure of many already marginally profitable
carriers.
Since
regional carriers are generally not as well-capitalized as major air carriers,
any economic setback in the industry may result in the increased possibility
of
an economic failure of one or more of the Company’s lessees, particularly since
many carriers are undertaking expansion of capacity to accommodate the
recovering air passenger traffic. If lessees experience financial difficulties,
this could, in turn, affect the Company’s financial performance.
During
any periods of economic contraction, carriers generally reduce capacity, in
response to lower passenger loads, and as a result, there is a reduced demand
for aircraft and a corresponding decrease in market lease rental rates and
aircraft values. This reduced market value for aircraft could affect the
Company’s results if the market value of an asset or assets in the Company’s
aircraft portfolio falls below carrying value, and the Company determines that a
write-down of the value on the Company’s balance sheet is appropriate.
Furthermore, as older leases expire and are replaced by lease renewals or
re-leases at decreasing lease rates, the lease revenue of the Company from
its
existing portfolio is likely to decline, with the magnitude of the decline
dependent on the length of the downturn and the depth of the decline in market
rents.
Economic
downturns can affect specific regions of the world exclusively. As the Company’s
portfolio is not entirely globally diversified, a localized downturn in one
of
the key regions in which the Company leases aircraft (e.g., Europe or Asia)
could have a significant adverse impact on the Company.
Possible
Volatility of Stock Price.
The
market price of the Company’s common stock has been subject to fluctuations in
response to the Company’s operating results, changes in general conditions in
the economy, the financial markets, the airline industry, changes in accounting
principles or tax laws applicable to the Company or its lessees, or other
developments affecting the Company, its customers or its competitors, some
of
which may be unrelated to the Company’s performance. Also, because the Company
has a relatively small capitalization of approximately 1.5 million shares,
there
is a correspondingly limited amount of trading of the Company’s shares.
Consequently, a single or small number of trades could result in a market
fluctuation not related to any business or financial development concerning
the
Company.
Item
3. Controls
and Procedures.
Quarterly
evaluation of the Company’s Disclosure Controls and Internal
Controls.
As of
the end of the period covered by this report, the Company evaluated the
effectiveness of the design and operation of its “disclosure controls and
procedures” (“Disclosure Controls”), and its “internal controls over financial
reporting” (“Internal Controls”). This evaluation (the “Controls Evaluation”)
was done under the supervision and with the participation of management,
including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Chief Financial
Officer (“CFO”). Rules adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”)
require that in this section of the Report, the Company present the conclusions
of the CEO and the CFO about the effectiveness of our Disclosure Controls and
Internal Controls based on and as of the date of the Controls
Evaluation.
CEO
and CFO Certifications.
Attached
as exhibits to this report are two separate forms of “Certifications” of the CEO
and the CFO. The first form of Certification is required in accordance with
Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “Section 302 Certification”).
This section of the report is the information concerning the Controls Evaluation
referred to in the Section 302 Certifications and this information should be
read in conjunction with the Section 302 Certifications for a more complete
understanding of the topics presented.
Disclosure
Controls and Internal Controls.
Disclosure Controls are procedures that are designed with the objective of
ensuring that information required to be disclosed in the Company’s reports
filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”), such as
this report, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time
periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure Controls are also
designed with the objective of ensuring that such information is accumulated
and
communicated to the Company’s management, including the CEO and CFO, as
appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Internal
Controls are procedures which are designed with the objective of providing
reasonable assurance that (1) the Company’s transactions are properly
authorized; (2) the Company’s assets are safeguarded against unauthorized or
improper use; and (3) the Company’s transactions are properly recorded and
reported, all to permit the preparation of the Company’s consolidated financial
statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles.
Limitations
on the Effectiveness of Controls.
The
Company’s management, including the CEO and CFO, does not expect that its
Disclosure Controls or its Internal Controls will prevent all errors and all
fraud. A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide
only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control
system are met. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact
that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be
considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in
all
control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that
all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the Company have
been
detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in
decision-making can be faulty, and that breakdowns can occur because of simple
error or mistake. Additionally, controls can be circumvented by the individual
acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or by management
override of the control. The design of any system of controls also is based
in
part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there
can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals
under all potential future conditions; over time, control may become inadequate
because of changes in conditions, or the degree of compliance with the policies
or procedures may deteriorate. Because of the inherent limitations in a
cost-effective control system, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur
and
not be detected.
Scope
of the Controls Evaluation.
The
CEO/CFO evaluation of the Company’s Disclosure Controls and the Company’s
Internal Controls included a review of the controls objectives and design,
the
controls implementation by the Company and the effect of the controls on the
information generated for use in this report. In the course of the Controls
Evaluation, the CEO and CFO sought to identify data errors, controls problems
or
acts of fraud and to confirm that appropriate corrective action, including
process improvements, were being undertaken. This type of evaluation is be
done
on a quarterly basis so that the conclusions concerning controls effectiveness
can be reported in the Company’s quarterly reports on Form 10-QSB and annual
report on Form 10-KSB. The Company’s Internal Controls are also evaluated on an
ongoing basis by other
personnel in the Company’s finance organization and by the Company’s independent
auditors in connection with their audit and review activities. The overall
goals
of these various evaluation activities are to monitor the Company’s Disclosure
Controls and the Company’s Internal Controls and to make modifications as
necessary; the Company’s intent in this regard is that the Disclosure Controls
and the Internal Controls will be maintained as dynamic systems that change
(reflecting improvements and corrections) as conditions warrant.
Among
other matters, the Company sought in its evaluation to determine whether there
were any “significant deficiencies” or “material weaknesses” in the Company’s
Internal Controls, or whether the Company had identified any acts of fraud
involving personnel who have a significant role in the Company’s Internal
Controls. This information was important both for the Controls Evaluation
generally and because item 5 in the Section 302 Certifications of the CEO and
CFO requires that the CEO and CFO disclose that information to the Audit
Committee of the Company’s Board and to the Company’s independent auditors and
report on related matters in this section of the Report. In the professional
auditing literature, “significant deficiencies” are referred to as “reportable
conditions”; these are control issues that could have a significant adverse
effect on the ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data
in
the financial statements. A “material weakness” is defined in the auditing
literature as a particularly serious reportable condition where the internal
control does not reduce to a relatively low level the risk that misstatements
caused by error or fraud may occur in amounts that would be material in relation
to the financial statements and not be detected within a timely period by
employees in the normal course of performing their assigned functions. The
Company also sought to deal with other controls matters in the Controls
Evaluation, and in each case if a problem was identified, the Company considered
what revision, improvement and/or correction to make in accordance with the
on-going procedures.
In
accordance with SEC requirements, the CEO and CFO note that there has been
no
significant change in Internal Controls that occurred during the most recent
fiscal quarter that has materially affected or is reasonably likely to
materially affect the Company’s Internal Controls.
Conclusions.
Based
upon the Controls Evaluation, the Company’s CEO and CFO have concluded that, (i)
the Company’s Disclosure Controls are effective to ensure that the information
required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files under
the
Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time
periods specified in the Commission’s rules and forms and then accumulated and
communicated to Company management, including the CEO and CFO, as appropriate
to
make timely decisions regarding required disclosures, and (ii) that the
Company’s Internal Controls are effective to provide reasonable assurance that
the Company’s consolidated financial statements are fairly presented in
conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
PART
II
OTHER
INFORMATION
Items
1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 have been omitted as they are not
applicable.
Item
6. Exhibits
Exhibits
Exhibit
Number
|
Description
|
31.1
|
Certification
of Neal D. Crispin, Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to Section
302 of
the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
|
31.2
|
Certification
of Toni M. Perazzo, Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to Section
302 of
the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
|
32.1*
|
Certification
of Neal D. Crispin, Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to
Section
906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
|
32.2*
|
Certification
of Toni M. Perazzo, Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to
Section
906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of
2002.
|
*
These
certificates are furnished to, but shall not be deemed to be filed with, the
Securities and Exchange Commission.
SIGNATURES
In
accordance with the requirements of the Exchange Act, the registrant caused
this
report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized.
|
|
|
|
AEROCENTURY
CORP. |
|
|
|
Date:
May
15, 2007 |
By: |
/s/ Toni
M.
Perazzo |
|
|
|
Title:
Sr. Vice President, Finance |