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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, 2006
[ ] 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
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
incorporation or organization)
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 [ ]
Indicate by check mark whether the
registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the
Exchange Act). Yes [ ] 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, 2006 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 _ 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 and Section 21E of 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 6," statements regarding the Company's belief that
future taxable income will be sufficient to realize the tax
beneifits of all the deferred tax assets on the balance sheet; (ii)
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 under its credit facility, and that it will have adequate
cash flow to meet its ongoing operational needs; (iii) in Item 2
"Management's Discussion and Analysis or Plan of Operation --
Outlook," statements regarding the Company's belief that the lease
for an aircraft that expires in May 2006 will be extended; and (iv)
in Item 2 "Management's Discussion and Analysis or Plan of Operation
-- Factors that May Affect Future Results,” the Company's belief
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
it will have sufficient funds to pay increased Sarbanes-Oxley
compliance costs; the Company's anticipated acquisition of primarily
used aircraft and expected concentration in a limited number of
airframe and aircraft engine types; the Company's belief that it 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 increasing fuel costs which may have a direct
negative impact on the customer's existing and potential customer
base and may increase the risk of lessee default; 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; the compliance
of the Company's lessees with obligations under their respective
leases; the Company's ability to find additional debt or equity
financing; 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, 2006
Assets: Cash and cash equivalents
$ 2,219,920 Accounts receivable 736,190 Aircraft and aircraft
engines held for lease, net of accumulated depreciation of
$18,838,090 91,939,980 Aircraft held for sale, net of accumulated
depreciation of $548,680 1,025,930 Prepaid expenses and other
1,088,370
Total assets $97,010,390
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’
EQUITY
Liabilities: Accounts payable and
accrued expenses $ 974,360 Notes payable and accrued interest
58,191,260 Maintenance reserves and accrued costs 13,481,250
Security deposits 3,463,620 Prepaid rent 703,700 Deferred taxes
1,100,130 Taxes payable 990
Total liabilities 77,915,310
Stockholders’ equity: Preferred
stock, $.001 par value, 2,000,000 shares authorized, no shares
issued and outstanding - Common stock, $.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 5,776,340 19,599,150
Treasury stock at cost, 63,300 shares (504,070)
Total stockholders’ equity
19,095,080
$97,010,390
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, 2006 2005 Revenues:
Operating lease revenue $3,701,000
$2,521,610 (Loss) on sale of aircraft - (59,550) Other income
2,387,380 78,090
6,088,380 2,540,150 Expenses:
Depreciation 1,230,190 925,130 Interest 1,164,260 762,720 Management
fees 698,150 544,350 Professional fees and general and
administrative 166,080 138,460 Insurance 78,040 92,610 Maintenance
2,553,830 16,610 Bad debt expense 48,820 - Provision for impairment
in value of aircraft - 12,180
5,939,370 2,492,060
Income before taxes 149,010 48,090
Tax provision 44,020 8,250
Net income $ 104,990 $ 39,840
Weighted average common shares
outstanding 1,543,257 1,543,257
Earnings per share $ 0.07 $ 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, 2006 2005
Net cash provided/(used) by
operating activities $2,317,490 $ (682,930)
Investing activities: Payments
received on note receivable - 108,650 Proceeds from disposal of
assets - 7,187,300 Equipment additions to aircraft (432,840)
(117,370) Net cash (used)/provided by investing activities (432,840)
7,178,580
Financing activity - Repayment of
notes payable (283,640) (5,868,640) Net cash used by financing
activity (283,640) (5,868,640)
Net increase in cash and cash
equivalents 1,601,010 627,010
Cash and cash equivalents,
beginning of period 618,910 2,403,630
Cash and cash equivalents, end of
period $2,219,920 $ 3,030,640
During the three months ended
March 31, 2006 and 2005, the Company paid interest totaling $976,980
and $723,000, respectively, and income taxes totaling $48,000 and
$1,704,000, respectively.
The accompanying notes are an
integral part of these statements.
AeroCentury Corp. Notes to
Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) March 31,
2006
1. Organization and Summary of
Significant Accounting Policies
(a) Basis of Presentation
AeroCentury Corp. (“AeroCentury”),
a Delaware corporation, uses leveraged financing to acquire leased
aircraft assets. The Company purchases used regional aircraft on
lease to foreign and domestic regional carriers. Financial
information for AeroCentury and its wholly-owned subsidiaries,
AeroCentury Investments II LLC (“AeroCentury II LLC”), 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. During the
second quarter of 2006, the title to the aircraft which had been
owned by AeroCentury II LLC was transferred to AeroCentury VI LLC
and AeroCentury II LLC was dissolved.
(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 Engines
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,
residual values and component 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.
AeroCentury Corp. Notes to
Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) March 31,
2006
1. Organization and Summary of
Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
(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.
(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 and non-refundable maintenance payments received
from lessees. At March 31, 2006, the Company’s maintenance reserves
and accruals consisted of the following:
Refundable maintenance reserves $
820,070 Non-refundable maintenance reserves 7,355,340 Accrued costs
5,305,840 $ 13,481,250
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 are
reclassified to the Company’s own maintenance payable account at
lease end. Maintenance reserves which are non-refundable to the
lessee are recorded as income at lease end. If an aircraft is
returned early, any collected reserves are reclassified to the
Company’s own maintenance payable account.
The Company periodically reviews
its maintenance reserves and maintenance accruals for adequacy in
light of the number of hours flown, airworthiness directives issued
by the manufacturer or government authority, and the return
conditions specified in the lease, as well as the condition of the
aircraft upon return or inspection. As a result of such review, when
it is probable that the Company has incurred costs for maintenance
in excess of amounts accrued, the Company records an expense for the
additional work to be performed. Such costs include maintenance such
as engine and propeller overhauls, structural inspections and work
to comply with airworthiness directives.
When an aircraft is sold, any
remaining accrual is reversed and included in the Company’s gain or
loss on sale calculation. During the three months ended March 31,
2006 and 2005, $0 and $131,600, respectively, of excess accruals
were so included.
AeroCentury Corp. Notes to
Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) March 31,
2006
1. Organization and Summary of
Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
(f) Maintenance Reserves and
Accrued Costs (continued)
Additions to and deductions from
the Company’s accruals during the three months ended March 31, 2006
and 2005 for maintenance work were as follows:
For the Three Months Ended March
31 2006 2005 Additions: Charged to expense $ 2,443,000 $ 15,100
Charged to other – Reclassification of reserves collected from
lessees to the Company’s own liability account 355,870 2,798,870
15,100 Deductions: Paid for previously accrued maintenance 843,460
199,790 Reversals of over-accrued maintenance - 760 Included in
(loss)/gain on sale of aircraft an aircraft engines - 131,600
843,460 332,150
Net increase/(decrease) in accrued
maintenance costs, in excess of amounts received under the leases
1,955,410 (317,050)
Balance, beginning of period
3,350,430 2,296,520
Balance, end of period $ 5,305,840
$ 1,979,470
(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
AeroCentury Corp. Notes to
Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) March 31,
2006
1. Organization and Summary of
Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
(h) Income Taxes (continued)
or changes the allowance in a
period, the Company must reflect 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
the 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 in excess of
amounts received from lessees, the amounts recorded as bad debt
allowances and accounting for income taxes.
(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 three months ended
March 31, 2006 and 2005.
(l) Recent Accounting
Pronouncements
SFAS 153, Exchanges of Nonmonetary
Assets, addresses the measurement of exchanges of nonmonetary
assets. It eliminates the exception from fair value measurement for
nonmonetary exchanges of similar productive assets in paragraph
21(b) of APB Opinion No. 29, Accounting for Nonmonetary
Transactions, and replaces it with an exception for exchanges that
do not have commercial substance. SFAS 153 specifies that a
nonmonetary exchange has commercial substance if the future cash
flows of the entity are expected to change significantly as a result
of the exchange. The provisions of SFAS 153 are effective for
nonmonetary asset exchanges occurring in fiscal periods beginning
after June 15, 2005. The adoption of SFAS 153 had no effect on the
Company’s consolidated financial condition or results of operations.
AeroCentury Corp. Notes to
Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) March 31,
2006
1. Organization and Summary of
Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
(l) Recent Accounting
Pronouncements (continued)
In March 2005, the FASB issued
interpretation FIN No. 47, Accounting for Conditional Asset
Retirement Obligations ("FIN 47"). FIN 47 clarifies that the term
conditional asset retirement obligation as used in SFAS 143,
Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations, refers to a legal
obligation to perform an asset retirement activity in which the
timing and (or) method of settlement are conditional on a future
event that may or may not be within the control of the entity. FIN
47 is applicable to fiscal years ending after December 15, 2005. The
adoption of FIN 47 had no material effect on the Company’s
consolidated financial condition or results of operations.
SFAS 123(R), Share-based Payment,
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 No. 123(R) . The pro-forma disclosure previously
permitted under SFAS No. 123 will no longer be 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.
2. Aircraft and Aircraft Engines
Held for Lease
At March 31, 2006, the Company
owned eleven deHavilland DHC-8s, three deHavilland DHC-6s, fourteen
Fokker 50s, two Saab 340As, three Saab 340Bs and one turboprop
engine which are held for lease.
At March 31, 2006, one of the
Company’s deHavilland DHC-8 aircraft, which was returned at lease
end in February 2006, its two Saab 340A aircraft and one spare
turboprop engine were off lease. One of the Saab 340A aircraft was
re-leased to a new customer in April 2006. The Company and the same
lessee have agreed to the re-lease of the second aircraft and
delivery is expected to occur in May 2006. In addition, the
deHavilland DHC-8 aircraft was re-leased to an existing customer in
May 2006.
During the first quarter of 2006:
Pursuant to lessee extension
options, the Company extended the leases for three of its Fokker 50
aircraft for 18 months each.
The Company signed 36-month leases
with a regional carrier in the Caribbean for two of its deHavilland
DHC-8 aircraft which were returned at lease end in December 2005 and
March 2006. One aircraft was delivered to the lessee in January 2006
and the other was delivered in March 2006.
3. Aircraft Held for Sale
In February 2006, the Company
agreed to the early termination of the lease for its Shorts SD 3-60
aircraft in exchange for the receipt of a portion of the amounts due
from the lessee through the termination date. The Company recorded
$48,820 of bad debt expense for uncollected rent. As discussed in
Note 8, the aircraft was sold in April 2006 for a gain of
approximately $400,000.
AeroCentury Corp. Notes to
Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) March 31,
2006
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 was revised from a
range of 275 to 375 basis points to a range of 275 to 325 basis
points, determined by certain financial ratios. During the first
three months of 2006, the Company did not repay any of the
outstanding principal under its credit facility. As of March 31,
2006, the Company was in compliance with all covenants under its
credit facility agreement, $49,996,000 was outstanding under the
credit facility, and interest of $516,190 was accrued.
(b) Special purpose financing
In September 2000, AeroCentury II
LLC acquired a deHavilland DHC-8 aircraft using cash and bank
financing separate from its credit facility. The financing resulted
in a note obligation in the amount of $3,575,000, due April 15,
2006, which bore interest at the rate of one-month LIBOR plus 3%.
The note was collateralized by the aircraft and is non-recourse to
the Company. Payments due under the note consisted of monthly
principal and interest and a balloon principal payment due on the
maturity date. The financing also provided for a six month
remarketing period at the expiration or early termination of the
lease. The balance of the note payable at March 31, 2006 was
$1,566,290 and interest of $1,700 was accrued. As of March 31, 2006,
the Company was in compliance with all covenants of this note
obligation. As discussed in Note 8, this note obligation was
refinanced in April 2006.
In November 2005, the Company
refinanced two DHC-8 aircraft that had been part of the collateral
base for its credit facility. The financing, by a separate bank, was
provided to a special purpose subsidiary 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. The balance of the note payable at
March 31, 2006 was $6,097,750 and interest of $13,330 was accrued.
As of March 31, 2006, the Company was in compliance with all
covenants of this note obligation.
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 will
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.
AeroCentury Corp. Notes to
Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) March 31,
2006
6. Income Taxes
The items comprising income tax
expense are as follows: For the Three Months Ended March 31 2006
2005 Current tax provision: Federal $ - $ State 1,200 1,000 Current
tax provision 1,200 259,300
Deferred tax provision/(benefit):
Federal 50,250 (242,290) State (7,430) (8,760) Deferred tax
provision/(benefit) 42,820 (251,050) Total provision for income
taxes $ 44,020 $ 8,250
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, 2006 2005 Income tax provision at statutory federal income tax
rate $ 50,660 $ 16,350 State tax provision, net of federal benefit
1,000 670 Tax rate differences (7,640) (8,770) Total income tax
provision $ 44,020 $ 8,250
Tax rate differences resulted from
a decrease in the Company's effective state tax rates due to changes
in state apportionment percentages.
Temporary differences and
carry-forwards that give rise to a significant portion of deferred
tax assets and liabilities as of March 31, 2006 are as follows:
Deferred tax assets: Deferred
maintenance $ 2,108,130 Maintenance reserves 2,144,400 Net operating
loss carryovers 174,460 Prepaid rent and other 257,020 Deferred tax
assets 4,684,010 Deferred tax liabilities: Depreciation on aircraft
and aircraft engines (5,655,890) Other (128,250) Net deferred tax
liabilities $ (1,100,130)
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.
AeroCentury Corp. Notes to
Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) March 31,
2006
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 may also receive 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 a remarketing fee in connection with the sale or re-lease of the
Company’s assets. The management fees, acquisition fees and
remarketing fees may not exceed the customary and usual fees that
would be paid to an unaffiliated party for such services. The
Company recorded management fees of $698,150 and $544,350 during the
three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively. Because
the Company did not acquire any aircraft during the first three
months of 2006 or 2005, no acquisition fees were paid to JMC for
these periods. The Company recorded remarketing fees totaling
$49,650 to JMC in connection with the sale of aircraft in the first
three months of 2005. No remarketing fees were paid to JMC during
2006.
8. Subsequent Events
In April 2006, the Company
refinanced the note obligation for an aircraft previously owned by
AeroCentury II LLC, using bank financing from another lender. The
aircraft was transferred to AeroCentury VI LLC, a special purpose
LLC, 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. AeroCentury II LLC was dissolved
in April 2006.
In April 2006, the Company sold
its Shorts SD 3-60 aircraft, which resulted in a gain of
approximately $400,000. In connection with the sale, the Company
paid a remarketing fee of $44,000 to JMC.
Item 2. Management’s Discussion
and Analysis or Plan of Operation.
Overview
The Company is a lessor of
turboprop 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 the 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 over the
medium and long term is 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 generally incurred only when aircraft are off
lease, are being prepared for re-lease, or require maintenance in
excess of lease return conditions.
The most significant non-cash
expenses include accruals of maintenance costs to be borne by the
Company and aircraft depreciation, both of which are the result of
significant estimates. Maintenance expenses are estimated and
accrued based upon utilization of the aircraft. Depreciation is
recognized based upon the estimated residual value of the aircraft
at the end of their estimated lives. Deviation from these estimates
could have a substantial effect on the Company’s cash flow and
profitability.
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 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,
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 written
down any 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 and non-refundable
maintenance payments received from lessees. The Company periodically
reviews maintenance reserves for each of its aircraft for adequacy
in light of the number of hours flown, airworthiness directives
issued by the manufacturer or government authority, and the return
conditions specified in the lease, as well as the condition of the
aircraft upon return or inspection. As a result of such review, if
it is probable that the Company has incurred costs for maintenance
in excess of amounts received from lessees, the Company accrues its
share of costs for work to be performed.
Significant management judgment is
required in determining aircraft condition and estimating
maintenance costs. Absent fixed price maintenance agreements, these
costs cannot be determined until such work is completed. Because of
the potential magnitude of maintenance costs, even slight changes in
work scope may have a material impact on operating results.
With respect to estimated
maintenance costs, the Company has found its accruals to be
generally accurate. Nevertheless, the Company has incurred
significant maintenance expense in connection with aircraft which
were returned early during the last two years 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. Specifically,
the Company incurred maintenance expense of approximately $442,000
and $1,864,000 in connection with the early return of aircraft in
2004 and 2003, respectively.
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 must reflect the corresponding increase or decrease within
the tax provision in the consolidated statement of operations.
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 $1,179,000 higher in the first three months of 2006
versus 2005, primarily because of increased operating lease revenue
from aircraft purchased beginning in April 2005 and a net increase
in rent as a result of aircraft re-leased after March 31, 2005.
These increases, totaling approximately $1,324,000 were partially
offset by decreases totaling approximately $145,000, due to aircraft
which were on lease for all of the first three months of 2005, but
off lease for a portion of the first three months of 2006.
Loss on sale of aircraft was
approximately $60,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2005 as a
result of the sale of a deHavilland DHC-7. There were no sales
during the first three months of 2006.
Other income was approximately
$2,309,000 higher in the first three months of 2006 versus the same
period in 2005, primarily as a result of $2,396,000 of
non-refundable maintenance reserves retained by the Company which
were recorded as income at lease end in 2006. In 2005, the Company’s
other income was primarily comprised of the $62,000 reversal of
previously accrued estimated expenses in connection with the sale of
one of the Company’s aircraft in 2004.
b. Expense items
Depreciation was approximately
$305,000 higher in the three months ended March 31, 2006 versus the
same period in 2005 and management fees, which are calculated on the
net book value of the aircraft owned by the Company, were
approximately $154,000 higher in 2006. These increases were
primarily because of purchases of aircraft beginning in April 2005,
the effect of which was partially offset by the sale of an aircraft
in the fourth quarter of 2005.
Interest expense was approximately
$402,000 higher in the first three months of 2006 versus the same
period in 2005 primarily as a result of increases in the index rates
upon which the Company’s interest rates are based and a higher
average principal balance in 2006 compared to 2005, the effect of
which was partially offset by a lower margin in 2006 than in 2005.
Maintenance expense was
approximately $2,537,000 higher in the three months ended March 31,
2006 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2005. In 2006, the
Company retained non-refundable maintenance reserves when two
aircraft were returned to the Company at lease end and recorded such
amounts as other income, discussed above. Based on the condition of
the aircraft at the time of return, the Company accrued
approximately $2,392,000 of maintenance expense for which the
Company is responsible. In 2006, the Company also accrued
approximately $162,000 of expense to prepare several aircraft for
re-lease. In 2005, the Company accrued approximately $17,000 for the
storage of several aircraft.
Professional fees and general and
administrative expenses were approximately $28,000 higher in the
first three months of 2006 versus the same period in 2005, primarily
because of legal expenses associated with the early return of an
aircraft, the effect of which was partially offset by lower
accounting fees.
The Company's insurance expense
consists primarily of insurance for off-lease aircraft and aircraft
engines, which varies depending on the type of aircraft and engines
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 $15,000 lower in the three months ended
March 31, 2006 versus the same period in 2005.
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
bad debt expense during the first three months of 2005.
The Company did not record any
impairment charges in the first three months of 2006. In the first
three months of 2005, the Company recorded an impairment charge of
approximately $12,000 for one of its aircraft, based on the
estimated net sales proceeds pursuant to an agreement to sell the
aircraft.
The Company’s effective tax rates
for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005 were
approximately 30% and 17%, respectively. The change in rate was
primarily a result of the recognition of tax benefits related to
different state tax rates that had been accrued in prior years.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
The Company is currently financing
its assets primarily through credit facility borrowings, special
purpose financing and excess cash flow.
(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 was revised from a
range of 275 to 375 basis points to a range of 275 to 325 basis
points, determined by certain financial ratios.
During the first three months of
2006, the Company did not repay any of the outstanding principal
under its credit facility. As of March 31, 2006, the Company was in
compliance with all covenants under its credit facility agreement,
$49,996,000 was outstanding under the credit facility, and interest
of $516,190 was accrued.
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. See "Factors That May Affect Future Results –
'Credit Facility Obligations' and 'Risks of Debt Financing'," below.
The Company's interest expense in
connection with the credit facility generally moves up or 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) Special purpose financing
In September 2000, AeroCentury II
LLC acquired a deHavilland DHC-8 aircraft using cash and bank
financing separate from its credit facility. The financing resulted
in a note obligation in the amount of $3,575,000, due April 15,
2006, which bore interest at the rate of one-month LIBOR plus 3%.
The note was collateralized by the aircraft and was non-recourse to
the Company. Payments due under the note consisted of monthly
principal and interest and a balloon principal payment due on the
maturity date. The financing also provided for a six month
remarketing period at the expiration or early termination of the
lease. The balance of the note payable at March 31, 2006 was
$1,566,290, and interest of $1,700 was accrued. As of March 31,
2006, the Company was in compliance with all covenants of this note
obligation. In April 2006, the Company refinanced this note
obligation using bank financing from another lender. The aircraft
was transferred to AeroCentury VI LLC, a special purpose LLC, 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. The Company is currently in
compliance with all covenants of this note obligation.
In November 2005, the Company
refinanced two DHC-8 aircraft that were part of its credit facility
collateral base, using bank financing separate from its credit
facility. The aircraft were transferred to AeroCentury V LLC, a
special purpose LLC, which borrowed $6,400,000, due November 10,
2008, which principal bears fixed interest at the rate 7.87%. The
note is collateralized by the aircraft and the Company’s interest in
AeroCentury V LLC 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. The
balance of the note payable at March 31, 2006 was $6,097,750 and
interest of $13,330 was accrued. The Company was in compliance with
all covenants of this note obligation as of that date and is
currently in compliance.
The availability of special
purpose financing in the future will depend on several factors
including (1) the availability of funds to be used for the equity
portion of the financing, (2) the type of asset being financed, (3)
the creditworthiness of the underlying lessee and (4) continued
compliance with certain of the Company’s credit facility covenants.
The availability of funds for the equity portion of the financing
will be dependent on the Company's cash flow, as discussed in "Cash
Flow," below.
(c) 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 2010.
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, requiring 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 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, 2006 versus the
three months ended March 31, 2005 increased by approximately
$3,000,000. 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 $1,701,000 higher in the three months ended
March 31, 2006 versus 2005, due primarily to the effect of increased
lease revenue from aircraft purchased beginning in April 2005, which
was partially offset by decreases due to aircraft which were on
lease for all of the first three months of 2005, but off lease for a
portion of the first three months of 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.
Payments received from lessees for
maintenance reserves increased by approximately $349,000 in the
first three months of 2006 versus the same period in 2005,
reflecting principally an increase in the number of aircraft owned
by the Company and an increase in usage by lessees.
Security deposits received
increased by approximately $654,000 in the three months ended March
31, 2006 versus the same period in 2005, because of the cash
deposits received in connection with the re-lease of aircraft in
2006 and a deposit received for the sale of an aircraft.
Expenditures for maintenance
Expenditures for maintenance were
approximately $585,000 higher in the first three months of 2006
versus 2005 primarily as a result of higher payments during 2006 for
maintenance performed to ready several of the Company’s aircraft for
remarketing. The effect of these expenditures was partially offset
by lower payments for maintenance performed by lessees which were
funded by maintenance reserves held by the Company. 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 expense
increased by approximately $254,000 in the three months ended March
31, 2006 versus the same period in 2005, primarily as a result of
higher average interest rates and a higher average principal balance
in 2005. Interest expenditures in future periods will be a product
of prevailing interest rates and the outstanding principal balance
on financings, which may be influenced by future acquisitions and/or
required repayments resulting from changes in the collateral base.
Expenditures for management fees
Expenditures for management fees
increased by approximately $120,000 in the three months ended March
31, 2006 versus the same period in 2005, as a result of aircraft
purchases since April 2005.
Expenditures for acquisition fees
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.
Income taxes
Income tax payments were
approximately $1,656,000 lower in the first three months of 2006
compared to the same period in 2005 primarily because the Company
made payments of approximately $1,704,000 in 2005 for 2004 tax
expense which was the result of the sale of a portfolio of engines
in December 2004.
(ii) Investing activities
The $7,611,000 decrease in cash
flow provided by investing activities in the first three months of
2006 versus the same period in 2005 was primarily due to the receipt
of $5,500,000 of sales proceeds from asset sales in 2005.
(iii) Financing activities
The Company repaid approximately
$5,585,000 more of its outstanding debt in the three months ended
March 31, 2005 versus none in the same period in 2006.
Outlook
The Company’s future growth will
depend on the availability of additional financing for acquisitions
of leased assets which, due to rising interest rates, will need to
be leased at increased rental rates to offset the anticipated stable
or decreased lease rates resulting from future re-leases of the
Company’s current portfolio. The Company is continuing to pursue
additional sources of acquisition financing.
The Company currently has two
aircraft and one turboprop engine off lease, but has agreements to
lease all of these assets to current customers and anticipates these
assets going back on-lease during the second quarter of 2006. The
Company has extended the leases for all of its aircraft with leases
expiring in 2006 except for one expiring on May 31, 2006, which the
Company anticipates will be extended during the second quarter.
The Company continually monitors
the financial condition of its lessees to prevent unanticipated
creditworthiness issues, and where necessary, works with lessees to
remind them of, and ensure continued compliance with, both monetary
and non-monetary obligations under their respective leases.
Currently, the Company is closely monitoring the performance of one
lessee with two aircraft under lease. The Company continues to work
closely with this lessee to ensure compliance with its current
obligations. During 2006, the Company incurred $49,000 of bad debt
expense related to amounts owed by a former lessee at the time the
Company and the lessee agreed to the early termination of the lease.
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. 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
Factors that May Affect Future
Results
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.
Concentration of Lessees and
Aircraft Type. Currently, the Company’s five largest customers are
located in Belgium, Taiwan, the Caribbean, Norway and Sweden, and
currently account for approximately 15%, 13%, 12%, 11% 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 acquisition of eight Fokker 50
aircraft and six DHC-8 aircraft in 2004 and 2005 made these two
aircraft types the dominant aircraft types in the portfolio,
constituting 14 and 11, respectively, of the 33 aircraft currently
in the portfolio and representing 38% and 49%, respectively, based
on book value. As a result, a change in the desirability and
availability of either or both 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 additional Fokker 50 or DHC-8 aircraft will increase the
Company’s risks related to its concentration of those aircraft
types.
Risks of Debt Financing. The
Company’s use of acquisition financing under its credit facility and
its special purpose financings subject the Company to increased
risks of leveraging. If, due to a lessee default, the Company is
unable to repay the debt secured by the aircraft acquired, then the
Company could lose title to the acquired aircraft in a foreclosure
proceeding. 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. It is possible that some form of subordinated debt may be
issued by the Company to fund acquisitions if the credit facility is
not increased. Such financing may have separate, more restrictive
covenants, and may magnify the adverse consequences of a lessee
default.
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, since
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.
It appears the economy is
continuing a period of sustained increasing interest rates,
particularly with respect to the rates for short-term borrowings,
upon which the Company’s financing rates are based. The Company has
not hedged its interest rate obligations. 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.
Need for Additional Financing. As
the Company's credit facility is almost fully drawn, in order to
continue increasing its asset base, it will need additional sources
of financing. The Company is currently actively seeking additional
debt financing, but there is no assurance that it will be able to
obtain such financing on terms that are acceptable to the Company.
In the absence of such financing, the Company will likely be able to
meet its short-term cash flow needs, but over the long term, its
revenues will decrease consistently as the Company’s existing asset
base ages and lease rates decline as the assets age.
Increased Compliance Costs.
Current Sarbanes-Oxley Act requirements applicable to the Company
effective for the year ended December 31, 2007, relating to internal
controls and auditors' responsibilities to review and opine on those
controls, could result in significantly higher fees and expenses in
connection with auditor services beginning in the second half of
2006. The increase will generally arise from increased auditor
responsibilities, including the 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.
On April 23, 2006, however, the
Advisory Committee on Smaller Public Companies empaneled to study
the effects of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act on small- and micro-cap
companies issued its report recommending that certain qualifying
small- and micro-cap companies be given exemptive relief from
compliance with the internal controls examination and testing
requirements of the Sarbanes Oxley Act until further studies are
completed enabling the SEC to develop a more appropriate framework
for examining such companies’ internal controls. If the Committee's
recommendations are adopted as reported, the Company would qualify
for such exemptive relief as a micro-cap company with less than $125
million in revenue. The Company would then likely postpone any
additional implementation of internal controls examination and
testing until the SEC issues final regulations applicable to the
Company on the subject. This would in turn postpone the anticipated
increase in compliance cost, and if final regulations are less
onerous than the current regulations, potentially reduce the
magnitude of the increased cost the Company would incur.
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. The Company’s expected concentration in a limited number
of airframe and aircraft engine types (generally, turboprop
equipment) subjects the Company to economic risks if those airframe
or engine types should decline in value. 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, 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 concentrate on future leases, to 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 arrangements with major trunk carriers, which may
be subject to termination or cancellation by such major carrier.
These types of lessees result in a generally higher lease rate on
aircraft, but may entail higher risk of default or lessee
bankruptcy. 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 growth of this market is in
areas outside of the United States, where collection and enforcement
are often more difficult and complicated than in the United States.
During 2005, the Company incurred bad debt expense related to
amounts owed by two 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 the stockholders by virtue of holding such offices with
the Company. 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 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 serviceable
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 credit 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 and more experience than the Company. 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 in the aircraft industry. JMC has
developed a reputation as a global participant in this segment of
the market, and the Company believes that JMC’s reputation will
benefit the Company. There is, however, no assurance that the lack
of significant competition from the 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 further weakening of the air carrier or travel
industries as a result of 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 marginal
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 could be
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
will 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 (including with 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 require 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 to 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
our 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 our
most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected or is
reasonably likely to materially affect our 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, 2006 By: /s/ Toni M.
Perazzo ------------------------------- Toni M. Perazzo
Title: Senior Vice
President-Finance and Chief Financial Officer

CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS
1440 Chapin Avenue,
Suite 310
Burlingame, CA 94010
650-340-1888

Management services provided by:
Jetfleet Management
Corp.

www.jetfleet.com