AIRT September 30, 2006 10Q

 
UNITED STATES
 
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
 
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
   
 
FORM 10-Q
   
(Mark one)
X
Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2006
   
 
Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 for the transition period from _____to _____
   
 
 
 
Commission file Number 0-11720
   
 
Air T, Inc.
 
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
   
 
  Delaware   52-1206400
 
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer
 
incorporation or organization) Identification No.)
   
 
Post Office Box 488, Denver, North Carolina 28037
 
(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)
   
 
(704) 377-2109
 
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
   
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 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 large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer or a non-accelerated filer (see definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer) in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act)
   
 
Large Accelerated Filer____ Accelerated Filer_____ Non-Accelerated Filer__X__
   
   
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act)  
   
 
Yes               No ___X___
   
   
 
APPLICABLE ONLY TO CORPORATE ISSUERS:
 
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.
   
 
2,671,293 shares of Common Stock, par value of $.25 per share were outstanding as of October 28, 2006. There is only one class of common stock outstanding.
   
This filing contains 28 pages.




   
AIR T, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
   
         
 
 
INDEX
 
 
       
PAGE
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
   
 
 
   
         
 
Item 1. Financial Statements
   
         
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
   
 
for the three and six-months ended
   
 
September 30, 2006 and 2005 (Unaudited)
 
3
         
 
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at
   
 
September 30, 2006 (Unaudited)
   
 
and March 31, 2006
 
4
 
 
     
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash
   
 
Flows for the six-months
   
 
ended September 30, 2006 and 2005 (Unaudited)
 
5
         
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’
   
 
Equity and Other Comprehensive Income for the
   
 
six-months ended September 30,
   
 
2006 and 2005(Unaudited)
 
6
         
 
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial
   
 
Statements (Unaudited)
 
7-13
         
 
Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis
   
   
of Financial Condition and Results
   
   
of Operations
 
13-20
         
 
Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure
   
   
About Market Risk
 
20
 
 
     
 
Item 4.
Controls and Procedures
 
20-21
         
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
   
         
 
Item 1.
Legal Proceedings
 
21-22
         
 
Item 4.
Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
22
         
 
Item 6.
Exhibits
 
23
         
   
Signatures
 
24
         
   
Exhibit Index
 
25
         
   
Officers’ Certifications
 
26-28


Item 1. Financial Statements

AIR T, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)


 
 
Three Months Ended 
Six Months Ended
 
 
September 30, 
September 30,
     
2006
   
2005
   
2006
   
2005
 
Operating Revenues:
                         
Overnight air cargo
 
$
8,646,307
 
$
10,691,256
 
$
17,222,259
 
$
21,919,409
 
Ground equipment
   
6,074,798
   
7,444,609
   
13,582,655
   
13,432,757
 
     
14,721,105
   
18,135,865
   
30,804,914
   
35,352,166
 
                           
Operating Expenses:
                         
Flight-air cargo
   
4,313,963
   
4,610,615
   
8,487,824
   
8,955,815
 
Maintenance-air cargo
   
3,111,313
   
4,183,880
   
6,209,996
   
9,457,857
 
Ground equipment
   
4,470,339
   
6,423,668
   
9,728,603
   
11,146,928
 
General and administrative
   
2,125,093
   
2,285,878
   
4,396,645
   
4,558,276
 
Depreciation and amortization
   
147,962
   
166,879
   
324,796
   
321,651
 
     
14,168,670
   
17,670,920
   
29,147,864
   
34,440,527
 
                           
Operating Income
   
552,435
   
464,945
   
1,657,050
   
911,639
 
                           
Non-operating Expense (Income) Expense:
                 
Interest, net
   
27,908
   
34,589
   
32,017
   
59,815
 
Deferred retirement expense
   
5,250
   
5,250
   
10,500
   
10,500
 
Investment income and other
   
(58,575
)
 
(34,955
)
 
(119,016
)
 
(68,175
)
     
(25,417
)
 
4,884
   
(76,499
)
 
2,140
 
                           
                           
Earnings Before Income Taxes
   
577,852
   
460,061
   
1,733,549
   
909,499
 
                           
Income Tax Expense
   
206,785
   
196,273
   
635,687
   
367,641
 
                           
Net Earnings
 
$
371,067
 
$
263,788
 
$
1,097,862
 
$
541,858
 
                           
                           
Basic and Diluted Net Earnings Per Share
 
$
0.14
 
$
0.10
 
$
0.41
 
$
0.20
 
                           
                           
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding:
                 
 Basic
   
2,671,293
   
2,671,293
   
2,671,293
   
2,671,293
 
 Diluted
   
2,671,635
   
2,671,770
   
2,671,684
   
2,671,833
 
                           
See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
                 

3

 AIR T, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS 
 

 
   
September 30, 2006 
   
March 31, 2006
 
ASSETS
   
(Unaudited
)
 
(Note
)
Current Assets:
             
 Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
4,204,820
 
$
2,702,424
 
 Marketable securities
   
826,364
   
807,818
 
 Accounts receivable, less allowance
             
 for doubtful accounts of $489,531 at September
             
 30, 2006 and $481,837 at March 31, 2006
   
5,292,351
   
8,692,971
 
 Income taxes receivable
   
366,991
   
108,553
 
 Notes and other non-trade receivables-current
   
86,326
   
104,086
 
 Inventories, net
   
10,841,773
   
5,705,591
 
 Deferred tax assets
   
771,099
   
576,640
 
 Prepaid expenses and other
   
262,662
   
334,064
 
 Total Current Assets
   
22,652,386
   
19,032,147
 
               
Property and Equipment
   
7,626,915
   
9,076,063
 
 Less accumulated depreciation
   
(5,644,202
)
 
(5,907,520
)
 Property and Equipment, net
   
1,982,713
   
3,168,543
 
               
Deferred Tax Assets
   
119,531
   
194,996
 
Cash Surrender Value of Life Insurance Policies
   
1,265,482
   
1,231,481
 
Notes and Other Non-Trade Receivables-Long Term
   
225,657
   
214,653
 
Other Assets
   
50,407
   
81,537
 
 Total Assets
 
$
26,296,176
 
$
23,923,357
 
 
             
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
             
Current Liabilities:
             
 Accounts payable
 
$
5,760,682
 
$
5,354,713
 
 Accrued expenses
   
2,051,173
   
2,411,262
 
 Current portion of long-term debt and obligations
   
182,355
   
186,492
 
 Total Current Liabilities
   
7,994,210
   
7,952,467
 
               
Capital Lease Obligations (less current portion)
   
41,735
   
50,577
 
Long-Term Debt (less current portion)
   
2,539,459
   
712,883
 
Deferred Retirement Obligations (less current portion)
   
683,038
   
707,388
 
               
Stockholders' Equity:
             
 Preferred stock, $1 par value, authorized 50,000 shares,
             
 none issued
   
-
   
-
 
 Common stock, par value $.25; authorized 4,000,000 shares;
             
 2,671,293 shares issued and outstanding
   
667,823
   
667,823
 
 Additional paid in capital
   
7,028,465
   
6,939,357
 
 Retained earnings
   
7,270,422
   
6,840,383
 
 Accumulated other comprehensive income, net
   
71,024
   
52,479
 
 Total Stockholders' Equity
   
15,037,734
   
14,500,042
 
 Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
 
$
26,296,176
 
$
23,923,357
 
 
             
Note: The balance sheet at March 31, 2006 has been derived from the audited consolidated
financial statements included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended March 31, 2006.
             
               
See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
     

4


AIR T, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)


 
 
Six Months Ended 
 
 
September 30, 
     
2006
   
2005
 
Cash flows from operating activities:
             
Net earnings
 
$
1,097,862
 
$
541,858
 
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net
             
cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
             
Change in accounts receivable and inventory reserves
   
238,169
   
(141,026
)
Depreciation and amortization
   
324,796
   
321,651
 
Increase in cash surrender value of life insurance
   
(34,001
)
 
-
 
Deferred tax provision
   
(118,994
)
 
(33,501
)
Net periodic pension cost
   
4,606
   
35,998
 
Warranty reserve
   
(67,464
)
 
(11,770
)
Vesting of stock option expense
   
89,108
   
-
 
Change in assets and liabilities which provided (used) cash:
             
Accounts receivable
   
3,392,926
   
(875,344
)
Notes receivable
   
6,756
   
64,363
 
Income taxes receivable/payable
   
(258,438
)
 
342,937
 
Inventories
   
(4,442,843
)
 
(1,822,499
)
Prepaid expenses and other
   
102,532
   
(750,545
)
Accounts payable
   
405,969
   
98,618
 
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
   
(317,226
)
 
(171,794
)
Total adjustments
   
(674,104
)
 
(2,942,912
)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
   
423,758
   
(2,401,054
)
Cash flows from investing activities:
             
Capital expenditures
   
(67,136
)
 
(193,905
)
Net cash used in investing activities
   
(67,136
)
 
(193,905
)
Cash flows from financing activities:
             
Payments on aircraft term loan
   
(51,568
)
 
(49,369
)
Net borrowings on line of credit
   
1,906,161
   
1,989,372
 
Payments on capital leases
   
(40,996
)
 
-
 
Payment of cash dividend
   
(667,823
)
 
(667,633
)
Net cash provided by financing activities
   
1,145,774
   
1,272,370
 
Net increase (decrease) in cash & cash equivalents
   
1,502,396
   
(1,322,589
)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
   
2,702,424
   
3,497,659
 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
 
$
4,204,820
 
$
2,175,070
 
               
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
             
Cash paid during the period for:
             
Interest
 
$
37,317
 
$
84,942
 
Income taxes
   
1,011,155
   
54,924
 
               
Summary of significant non-cash information:
             
Increase (decrease) in fair value of marketable securities, net of tax
 
$
18,545
 
$
10,920
 
Leased equipment transferred to inventory
   
1,476,708
   
355,463
 
               
               
See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
             

5


 
AIR T, INC AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (UNAUDITED)


 
   
 
 
                      Accumulated         
 
 
Common Stock 
 
Additional
   
Retained
   
Other
   
Total
 
 
               
Paid-In 
   
Earnings
   
Comprehensive
   
Stockholders'
 
 
   
Shares 
   
Amount
   
Capital
   
   
Income
   
Equity
 
                                       
Balance, March 31, 2005
   
2,671,293
 
$
667,823
 
$
6,939,357
 
$
5,453,105
 
$
25,268
 
$
13,085,553
 
                                       
Comprehensive Income:
                                     
Net earnings
                     
541,858
             
Change in investment value,
                                     
net of tax
                           
10,920
       
Change in fair value of
                                     
derivative instruments, net of tax
                     
   
22,160
   
 
Total Comprehensive Income
                                 
574,938
 
Cash dividend
                                     
($0.25 per share)
                     
(667,633
)
       
(667,633
)
                                       
Balance, September 30, 2005
   
2,671,293
 
$
667,823
 
$
6,939,357
 
$
5,327,330
 
$
58,348
 
$
12,992,858
 
                                       
                                       
                                       
 
                           
Accumulated
       
 
 
Common Stock 
 
Additional
   
Retained
   
Other
   
Total
 
 
               
Paid-In 
   
Earnings
   
Comprehensive
   
Stockholders'
 
 
   
Shares 
   
Amount
   
Capital
   
   
Income (Loss
)
 
Equity
 
                                       
Balance, March 31, 2006
   
2,671,293
 
$
667,823
 
$
6,939,357
 
$
6,840,383
 
$
52,479
 
$
14,500,042
 
                                       
Comprehensive Income:
                                     
Net earnings
                     
1,097,862
             
Change in investment value,
                                     
net of tax
                           
18,545
       
Total Comprehensive Income
                                 
1,116,407
 
-
                                     
-
                                     
Cash dividend
                                     
($0.25 per share)
                     
(667,823
)
       
(667,823
)
Vesting of stock options
               
89,108
               
89,108
 
                                       
Balance, September 30, 2006
   
2,671,293
 
$
667,823
 
$
7,028,465
 
$
7,270,422
 
$
71,024
 
$
15,037,734
 
                                       
                                       
See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
                 

6

AIR T, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)

1. Financial Statement Presentation

The accompanying Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared by Air T, Inc. (the Company) in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and with the instructions to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and to Article 10 of regulation S-X. The Company has continued to follow the accounting policies set forth in the audited consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2006. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly the consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows as of September 30, 2006, and for prior periods presented, have been made.

It is suggested that these financial statements be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2006. The results of operations for the period ended September 30 are not necessarily indicative of the operating results for the full year.


2. Income Taxes

The tax effect of temporary differences, primarily asset reserves and accrued liabilities, gave rise to the Company's deferred tax asset in the accompanying September 30, 2006 and March 31, 2006 consolidated balance sheets. Deferred income taxes are recognized for the tax consequence of such temporary differences at the enacted tax rate expected to be in effect when the differences reverse.

The income tax provision for the respective three and six months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005 differ from the federal statutory rate primarily as a result of state income taxes and, to a lesser extent, other permanent differences.


3. Net Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per share has been calculated by dividing net earnings by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during each period. For purposes of calculating diluted earnings per share, shares issuable under employee stock options were considered potential common shares and were included in the weighted average common shares unless they were anti-dilutive. As of September 30, 2006 and 2005, 1,000 outstanding stock options were anti-dilutive.

The computation of basic and diluted earnings per common share is as follows:

 
 
Three Months Ended  
Six Months Ended
 
 
September 30, 
September 30,
     
2006
   
2005
   
2006
   
2005
 
                           
Net earnings
 
$
371,067
 
$
263,788
 
$
1,097,862
 
$
541,858
 
                           
Basic and Diluted Net Earnings Per Share
 
$
0.14
 
$
0.10
 
$
0.41
 
$
0.20
 
                           
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding:
                         
Basic
   
2,671,293
   
2,671,293
   
2,671,293
   
2,671,293
 
Plus: Incremental shares from stock options
   
342
   
477
   
391
   
540
 
Diluted
   
2,671,635
   
2,671,770
   
2,671,684
   
2,671,833
 

7



4. Inventories

Inventories consist of the following:

 
   
September 30, 2006 
   
March 31, 2006
 
Aircraft parts and supplies
 
$
637,259
 
$
621,111
 
Ground equipment manufacturing:
             
Raw materials
   
9,210,182
   
4,178,451
 
Work in process
   
853,243
   
1,270,944
 
Finished goods
   
822,151
   
85,672
 
Total inventory
   
11,522,835
   
6,156,178
 
Reserves
   
(681,062
)
 
(450,587
)
               
Total, net of reserves
 
$
10,841,773
 
$
5,705,591
 
 
5. Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In June 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Interpretation ("FIN") No. 48, "Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes-an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109." This Interpretation prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return, and provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure, and transition. This Interpretation is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006 and is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
 
6. Stock-Based Compensation

At September 30, 2006, the Company had one stock option plan (the Plan) in effect, which is discussed more fully below. Prior to April 1, 2006, the Company accounted for the Plan under the recognition and measurement provisions of APB Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, and related Interpretations, as permitted by FASB Statement No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation. No stock-based employee compensation cost was recognized in the Statement of Operations for the three and six-month periods ended September 30, 2005, as no options were granted during those periods. Effective April 1, 2006, the Company adopted the fair value recognition provisions of FASB Statement No. 123(R), Share-Based Payment, using the modified-prospective method. Under this method, compensation cost recognized in the three and six-month periods ended September 30, 2006 included: (a) compensation cost for a proportional amount of all share-based payments granted prior to April 1, 2006, but not yet vested until September 30, 2006, based on the grant date fair value estimated in accordance with the original provisions of Statement 123, and (b) compensation cost for all share-based payments granted subsequent to March 31, 2006, based on the grant-date fair value estimated in accordance with the provisions of Statement 123(R). Results for the prior period have not been restated.

As a result of adopting Statement 123(R) on April 1, 2006, the Company’s income before income taxes and net income for the three and six months ended September 30, 2006, were, respectively, $58,358 and $35,015 and $89,108 and $53,465 lower than if it had continued to account for share-based compensation under APB Opinion No. 25. Compensation expense as a result of stock options affected basic and diluted earnings per share by $.01 and $.02, respectively, for the three and six months ended September 30, 2006.

Prior to the adoption of Statement 123(R), the Company did not present tax benefits of deductions resulting from the exercise of stock options as operating cash flows in the Statement of Cash Flows. Statement 123(R) requires the cash flows resulting from the tax benefits resulting from tax deductions in excess of the compensation cost recognized for those options (excess tax benefits) to be classified as financing cash flows.
 
8

A total of 209,000 options were granted under the Company’s stock option plan during the three-month period ended September 30, 2006.

The compensation cost that had been charged against net income for the Plan was, respectively, $58,358 and $89,108 for the three and six months ended September 30, 2006. The total income tax benefit recognized in the income statement for the share-based compensation arrangements was, respectively, $23,343 and $35,643 for the three and six months ended September 30, 2006.

The Company’s Plan, which is shareholder-approved, permits the grant of share options and shares to its employees and non-employee directors for up to 250,000 shares of common stock. The Company believes that such awards better align the interests of its employees and directors with those of its stockholders. Option awards are generally granted with an exercise price equal to the market price of the Company’s stock at the date of grant; for employee options, the plan provides that awards generally vest one-third per year after the first anniversary date from the date of grant; for non-employee director options, those option awards vest one year after the date of grant; options generally have 10-year contractual terms. Dividends are not paid on unexercised options. Certain options and share awards provide for accelerated vesting if there is a change in control (as defined in the Plan). As of September 30, 2006, 224,000 employee options have been awarded under the Plan. In addition to 15,000 options granted in fiscal 2006, 197,000 options were granted on August 15, 2006 at an exercise price of $8.29 per share, one-third vest one year from dated of grant, and one-third for each year after, and 12,000 options were granted on August 17, 2006 at an exercise price of $8.52 per share which vest on the first anniversary of the date of grant.

The weighted average grant date fair value of options granted during the three month period ended September 30, 2006 was $4.86. The fair value of each option award is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing formula that uses the assumptions noted in the following table. Expected volatilities are based on historical volatility of the Company’s stock, and other factors. Dividend yields are based on the last three years’ dividends divided by the average high and low stock prices for the period. The expected term of options granted is derived from the output of the option valuation model and represents the period of time that options granted are expected to be outstanding. The risk-free rate for periods within the contractual life of the option is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant. See Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2006 for details regarding prior year option awards.


 
   
Six Months Ended 
 
 
   
September 30, 2006 
 
Expected volatility
   
73.79
%
Expected dividends
   
1.10
%
Expected term (in years)
   
2.50-5.00
 
Risk-free rate
   
4.74
%
         
A summary of option activity under the Plan as of September 30, 2006, and changes during the six months then ended is presented below:

 
               
Weighted
       
 
         
Weighted
   
Average
       
 
         
Average
   
Remaining
   
Aggregate
 
 
         
Exercise
   
Contractual
   
Intrinsic
 
 
   
Shares 
   
Price
   
Term (yrs
)
 
Value
 
Options
                         
Outstanding at April 1, 2006
   
17,000
 
$
11.02
   
8.51
 
$
1,130
 
Granted
   
209,000
   
8.30
   
9.61
   
392,250
 
Exercised
   
-
   
-
         
-
 
Forfeited
   
-
   
-
         
-
 
Expired
   
-
   
-
   
   
-
 
Outstanding at September 30, 2006
   
226,000
 
$
8.51
   
9.53
 
$
393,380
 
Vested or expected to vest
                         
at September 30, 2006
   
17,000
   
11.02
   
8.51
   
(14,340
)
     
   
   
   
 
Exercisable at September 30, 2006
   
17,000
 
$
11.02
   
8.51
 
$
(14,340
)
                           

9

 
A summary of the status of the Company’s nonvested shares as of September 30, 2006, and changes during the six months ended September 30, 2006, is presented below:

 
         
Weighted 
 
 
         
Average 
 
 
         
Grant-Date
 
 
   
Shares 
   
Fair Value
 
               
Nonvested at April 1, 2006
   
15,000
 
$
84,915
 
Granted
   
209,000
   
1,016,972
 
Vested
   
(15,000
)
 
(84,915
)
Forfeited
   
-
   
-
 
Nonvested at September 30, 2006
   
209,000
   
1,016,972
 


As of September 30, 2006, there was $969,782 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested share-based compensation arrangements granted under the Plan. That cost is expected to be recognized over the next twelve quarters ended September 30, 2009. A total of 15,000 shares vested during the six months ended September 30, 2006 and no shares vested during the six months ended September 30, 2005.


7. Warranty Reserves

The Company’s ground equipment subsidiary warranties its products for up to a two-year period from date of sale. Product warranty reserves are recorded at time of sale based on the historical average warranty cost and are adjusted quarterly.

Product warranty reserve activity during the three and six-months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005 are as follows:


 
 
Three Months Ended 
Six Months Ended
 
 
September 30, 
September 30,
     
2006
   
2005
   
2006
   
2005
 
                           
Beginning balance
 
$
237,000
 
$
177,000
 
$
285,000
 
$
198,000
 
Additions and adjustments to reserve
   
24,000
   
62,000
   
(5,000
)
 
55,000
 
Use of reserve
   
(44,000
)
 
(29,000
)
 
(63,000
)
 
(43,000
)
Ending balance
 
$
217,000
 
$
210,000
 
$
217,000
 
$
210,000
 



8. Financing Arrangements

In August 2006, the Company was advised by its lender that the expiration date of its $7,000,000 secured long-term revolving credit line had been extended to August 31, 2008. The revolving credit line contains customary events of default, a subjective acceleration clause and restrictive covenants that, among other matters, require the Company to maintain certain financial ratios. There is no requirement for the Company to maintain a lock-box arrangement under this agreement. As of September 30, 2006, the Company was in compliance with all of the restrictive covenants. The amount of credit available to the Company under the agreement at any given time is determined by an availability calculation, based on the eligible borrowing base, as defined in the credit agreement, which includes the Company’s outstanding receivables, inventories and equipment, with certain exclusions. At September 30, 2006, $4,427,000 was available under the terms of the credit facility. The credit facility is secured by substantially all of the Company’s assets.

10

Amounts advanced under the credit facility bear interest at the 30-day “LIBOR” rate plus 137 basis points. The LIBOR rate at September 30, 2006 was 5.32%. At September 30, 2006, $1,909,000 was outstanding against the line.

The Company is exposed to changes in interest rates on certain portions of its line of credit, which bears interest based on the 30-day LIBOR rate plus 137 basis points. If the LIBOR interest rate had been increased by one percentage point, based on the balance of the line of credit at September 30, 2006, annual interest expense would have increased by approximately $19,000.
 
The Company assumes various financial obligations and commitments in the normal course of its operations and financing activities. Financial obligations are considered to represent known future cash payments that the Company is required to make under existing contractual arrangements such as debt and lease agreements.
  
9. Segment Information

The Company operates three subsidiaries in two business segments, overnight air cargo and ground equipment. Each business segment has separate management teams and infrastructures that offer different products and services. The overnight air cargo segment encompasses services provided primarily to one customer, FedEx Corporation, and the ground equipment segment encompasses the operations of Global Ground Support, LLC (“Global”).

The Company evaluates the performance of its operating segments based on operating income.

Segment data is summarized as follows:
 
 
 
Three Months Ended September 30, 
Six Months Ended September 30,
     
2006
   
2005
   
2006
   
2005
 
                           
Operating Revenues
                         
Overnight Air Cargo
 
$
8,646,307
 
$
10,691,256
 
$
17,222,259
 
$
21,919,409
 
Ground Equipment:
                         
Domestic
   
5,509,884
   
6,266,201
   
12,980,241
   
12,171,599
 
International
   
564,914
   
1,178,408
   
602,414
   
1,261,158
 
Total Ground Equipment
   
6,074,798
   
7,444,609
   
13,582,655
   
13,432,757
 
Total
 
$
14,721,105
 
$
18,135,865
 
$
30,804,914
 
$
35,352,166
 
                           
Operating Income (Loss)
                         
Overnight Air Cargo
 
$
360,102
 
$
869,655
 
$
822,640
 
$
1,500,070
 
Ground Equipment
   
643,578
   
91,486
   
2,001,333
   
496,823
 
Corporate (1)
   
(451,245
)
 
(496,196
)
 
(1,166,923
)
 
(1,085,254
)
Total
 
$
552,435
 
$
464,945
 
$
1,657,050
 
$
911,639
 
                           
Depreciation and Amortization
                 
Overnight Air Cargo
 
$
123,395
 
$
119,701
 
$
249,352
 
$
223,398
 
Ground Equipment
   
9,773
   
33,054
   
48,813
   
67,550
 
Corporate
   
14,794
   
14,124
   
26,631
   
30,703
 
Total
 
$
147,962
 
$
166,879
 
$
324,796
 
$
321,651
 
                           
Capital Expenditures, net
                         
Overnight Air Cargo
 
$
26,775
 
$
81,891
 
$
31,775
 
$
145,520
 
Ground Equipment
   
-
   
2,670
   
-
   
12,889
 
Corporate
   
6,329
   
2,337
   
35,361
   
35,496
 
Total
 
$
33,104
 
$
86,898
 
$
67,136
 
$
193,905
 
                           
                           
 
 
As of 
           
 
   
September 30, 2006 
   
March 31, 2006
             
Identifiable Assets
                         
Overnight Air Cargo
 
$
4,727,060
 
$
6,298,618
             
Ground Equipment
   
15,091,329
   
12,620,815
             
Corporate
   
6,477,787
   
5,003,924
             
                           
Total
 
$
26,296,176
 
$
23,923,357
             
                           
(1) Includes income from inter-segment transactions.
           

11



10. Commitments and Contingencies

On February 28, 2005, a 135-foot fixed-stand deicing boom sold by Global for installation at the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania airport, and maintained by Global, collapsed on an Airbus A330 aircraft operated by U.S. Airways. While the aircraft suffered some structural damage, no passengers or crew on the aircraft were injured. The operator of the deicing boom has claimed to suffer injuries in connection with the collapse. Immediately following this incident, the remaining eleven fixed stand deicing booms sold by Global and installed at the Philadelphia airport were placed out of service pending investigation of their structural soundness. These booms include 114-foot smaller deicing booms, as well as additional 135-foot extended deicing booms. All of these booms were designed, fabricated and installed by parties other than Global and are the only booms of this model that have been sold by Global.

In June 2005, after an independent structural engineering firm’s investigation identified specific design flaws and structural defects in the remaining 11 booms and Global’s subcontractor declined to participate in efforts to return the remaining 11 booms to service, Global agreed with the City of Philadelphia to effect specific repairs to the remaining 11 booms. Under this agreement, Global agreed to effect the repairs to these booms at its expense and reserved its rights to recover these expenses from any third party ultimately determined to be responsible for defects and flaws in these booms. The agreement provides that if Global performs its obligations under the agreement, the City of Philadelphia will not pursue any legal remedies against Global for the identified design flaws and structural defects with respect to these 11 booms. However, the City of Philadelphia retains its rights with respect to any cause of action arising from the collapse of the boom in February 2005.
 
On October 11, 2005, Global completed the repair, installation and recertification of ten of the deicing booms. Repair had been completed on the eleventh boom, which was then damaged in transit to the Philadelphia airport by an independent carrier. The additional repair work on that boom has been completed and the boom has been delivered back to the airport. The carrier had initially undertaken that such further repair work would be at its expense, though the carrier now disclaims liability for the full costs associated with the damage to the eleventh boom. Global has initiated litigation against the carrier to recover its costs related to the damage to the eleventh boom.

Global has been named as a defendant in two legal actions arising from the February 2005 boom collapse at the Philadelphia airport. In the first, U.S. Airways vs. Elliott Equipment Company, et al., which is pending in United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, U.S. Airways initiated an action on April 7, 2006 against Global and its subcontractor seeking to recover approximately $2.9 million, representing the alleged cost to repair of the damaged Airbus A330 aircraft and loss of use of the aircraft while it was being repaired. This matter is in the initial stage of discovery. In the second action, Emerson vs. Elliott Equipment Company, et al., pending in the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas, the boom operator is seeking to recover unspecified damages from Global and its subcontractor for injuries arising from the collapse of the boom. This matter was initiated on October 21, 2005 and is scheduled for trial in November 2007. The Company understands that the boom operator has recovered from his injuries and has returned to fulltime work. Global maintains product liability insurance in excess of the amount of the recoveries claimed above and is being defended in both of these matters by its product liability insurance carrier. Global’s insurance coverage does not extend to the costs incurred by Global to examine and repair the other 11 booms at the Philadelphia airport.

On August 4, 2005, Global commenced litigation in the Court of Common Pleas, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania against Glazer Enterprises, Inc. t/a Elliott Equipment Company, Global’s subcontractor that designed, fabricated and warrantied the booms at the Philadelphia airport, seeking to recover approximately $905,000 in costs incurred by Global in fiscal 2006 in connection with repairing the 11 booms and any damages arising from the collapse of the boom in February 2005. That case has been removed to federal court and is pending before United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and has been assigned to the same judge before whom the U.S. Airways litigation is pending against Global. This matter is in the initial stage of discovery. The Company cannot provide assurance that it will be able to recover its repair expenses, or otherwise be successful, in this action.
 
12

 
    On August 8, 2006, Global commenced litigation in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania (Global Ground Support, LLC v. Sautter Crane Rental, Inc.), Civil Action No. 06-CV-03511) seeking to recover all damages and losses incurred as a result of the damage that occurred to the 135 foot deicing boom while in transit back to the Philadelphia International Airport. In that action, Global seeks damages in excess of $300,000. That matter is in its initial stages, but has been assigned to the same Judge who is hearing the other US Airways/Global/Elliott Equipment cases. The Company cannot provide assurance that it will be able to recover all of its damages and losses, or otherwise be successful, in this action.
 
The Company is currently involved in certain personal injury and environmental matters, which involve pending or threatened lawsuits. Management believes the results of these pending or threatened lawsuits will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations or financial position.
 

 
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
 
Overview

The Company operates in two business segments, providing overnight air cargo services to the express delivery services industry and aviation ground support and other specialized equipment products to passenger and cargo airlines, airports, the military and industrial customers. Each business segment has separate management teams and infrastructures that offer different products and services. The Company’s air cargo operations, which are comprised of its Mountain Air Cargo, Inc. (“MAC”) and CSA Air, Inc. (“CSA”) subsidiaries, accounted for 55.9% and 62.0% of revenue for the six months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005, respectively. The Company’s ground support operations, comprised of its Global Ground Support, LLC subsidiary (“Global”), accounted for the remaining 44.1% and 38.0% of revenues for the six months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005, respectively.

MAC and CSA provide short-haul express air freight services primarily to one customer, FedEx Corporation (the Customer). Under the terms of its Customer’s dry-lease service agreements which currently cover approximately 99% of the revenue aircraft operated, the Company charges an administrative fee and passes through to its customer certain other cost components of its operations without markup. The cost of fuel, flight crews, landing fees, outside maintenance, parts and certain other direct operating costs are included in operating expenses and billed to the customer as cargo and maintenance revenue, at cost.

Separate agreements cover the four types of aircraft operated by MAC and CSA for their customer—Cessna Caravan, ATR-42/72, Fokker F-27, and Short Brothers SD3-30. Cessna Caravan, ATR-42/72 and Fokker F-27 aircraft (a total of 92 aircraft at September 30, 2006) are owned by and dry-leased from the Customer, and the Short Brothers SD3-30 aircraft (two aircraft at September 30, 2006) are owned by the Company.

The SD3-30’s are operated periodically under wet-lease arrangements with the Customer. Pursuant to such agreements, the Customer determines the type of aircraft and schedule of routes to be flown by MAC and CSA, with all other operational decisions made by the Company.

13

Agreements with the customer which are renewable on two to five year terms, may be terminated by the Customer at any time upon 30 days’ notice. The Company believes that the short term and other provisions of its agreements with the Customer are standard within the air freight contract delivery service industry. Loss of its contracts with the Customer would have a material adverse effect on the Company.

MAC and CSA’s revenues contributed approximately $17,222,000 and $21,919,000 to the Company’s revenues for the six-month periods ended September 30, 2006 and 2005, respectively, a current year decrease of approximately 21%. The decrease in revenues was primarily related to a decrease in maintenance services and acquisition of aircraft parts, which were attributed to wind-down and completion of the customer’s fleet modernization, associated with conversion of ATR aircraft from passenger to cargo configuration during fiscal 2006.
 
Global, which provides the remainder of the Company’s revenue, manufactures, services and supports aviation ground support and specialized military and industrial equipment on a worldwide basis. Global’s revenues contributed approximately $13,583,000 and $13,433,000 to the Company’s revenues for the six-month periods ended September 30, 2006 and 2005, respectively. The approximately 1% increase in revenues was attributed to increased service revenues, partially offset by lower product sales revenues during the current period. Although the overall total number of units produced remained level for the quarters ended June 30 and September 30, 2006, changes in the mix of commercial and military orders and current production cost, respectively, resulted in decreased product sales revenues and increased operating margins for the quarter ended September 30, 2006.

 Global’s results in fiscal 2006 were adversely affected as the result of the collapse of one of twelve fixed-stand deicing booms sold by Global for installation at the Philadelphia airport as detailed in Note 10, Commitments and Contingencies of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) included in Item 1 of this report. Following the collapse of the boom, Global undertook to examine and repair the eleven remaining booms and incurred expense of approximately $905,000 in fiscal 2006 in connection with these activities. During the three and six-month periods ended September 30, 2005 Global recorded approximately $415,000 and $788,000, respectively, in operating expenses in connection with its efforts to return the booms to service. No boom repair related costs were recorded in the three or six months ended September 30, 2006. Although Global has initiated legal action to recover these expenses from its subcontractor, the Company cannot provide assurance of the amount or timing of any such recovery.


Outlook

Due to an increase in the number of commercial deicing unit orders received, and in part filled during the three-month period ended September 30, 2006, the Company currently forecasts the domestic commercial aviation market will grow at a rate closer to the rest of the economy than was previously expected. Although international sales, which have been lower in the current year-to-date period compared to the similar period last year, are more difficult to predict, the Company currently anticipates is that fiscal 2007 international sales will not match the level of fiscal 2006’s international revenues. Company management anticipates that the decreased level of maintenance revenues experienced year-to-date, associated with the recent completion of its customers’ current fleet modernization, will continue to reduce air cargo revenues and operating margins throughout the remainder of fiscal 2007 as compared to fiscal 2006. Cost cutting measures implemented during fiscal 2007 are expected to partially offset the effect of reduced maintenance revenues during the remainder of the current fiscal year.

Based on the current general worldwide political, economic and industry outlook and cost cutting measures implemented during the fiscal 2007, the Company believes its existing cash and cash equivalents, cash flow from operations, and funds available from current and renewed credit facilities will adequately meet its current and anticipated working capital requirements throughout fiscal 2007. If these sources are inadequate or become unavailable, then the Company may pursue additional funds through the financing of unencumbered assets or sale of equity securities, although there is no assurance these additional funds will be sufficient to replace the sources that are inadequate or become unavailable.

14

Actual results for fiscal 2007 will depend upon a number of factors beyond the Company’s control, including, in part, the magnitude of future international orders, potential additional transition of the aircraft fleet operated for the Company’s air cargo customer, the timing, speed and magnitude of the economic recovery of the aviation industry based in-part on the price of oil, military funding of pending future equipment orders, future levels of commercial aviation capital spending, future terrorists acts and weather patterns.



Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The preparation of the Company’s financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. requires the use of estimates and assumptions to determine certain assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. Management bases these estimates and assumptions upon the best information available at the time of the estimates or assumptions. The Company’s estimates and assumptions could change materially as conditions within and beyond our control change. Accordingly, actual results could differ materially from estimates. The most significant estimates made by management include allowance for doubtful accounts receivable, reserves for excess and obsolete inventories, warranty reserves, deferred tax asset valuation, retirement benefit obligations, valuation of revenue recognized under the percentage-of-completion method, valuation of long-lived assets and valuation of stock based compensation.

Following is a discussion of critical accounting policies and related management estimates and assumptions.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts. An allowance for doubtful accounts receivable in the amount of $490,000 and $482,000, respectively, as of September 30, 2006 and March 31, 2006, was established based on management’s estimates of the collectability of accounts receivable. The required allowance is determined using information such as customer credit history, industry information, credit reports, customer financial condition and the collectability of outstanding accounts receivables associated with a discontinued business segment. The estimates can be affected by changes in the financial strength of the aviation industry, customer credit issues or general economic conditions.

Inventories. The Company’s parts inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market. Reserves for excess and obsolete inventories in the amount of $681,000 and $451,000, respectively, as of September 30, 2006 and March 31, 2006, are based on assessment of the marketability of slow-moving and obsolete inventories. Estimates are subject to volatility and can be affected by reduced equipment utilization, existing supplies of used inventory available for sale, the retirement of aircraft or ground equipment and changes in the financial strength of the aviation industry.

Warranty Reserves. The Company warranties its ground equipment products for up to a two-year period from date of sale. Product warranty reserves are recorded at time of sale based on the historical average warranty cost and are adjusted quarterly as actual warranty cost becomes known.

Product warranty reserve activity during three and six-months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005 are as follows:

 
 
Three Months Ended 
Six Months Ended
 
 
September 30, 
September 30,
     
2006
   
2005
   
2006
   
2005
 
                           
Beginning balance
 
$
237,000
 
$
177,000
 
$
285,000
 
$
198,000
 
Additions and adjustments to reserve
   
24,000
   
62,000
   
(5,000
)
 
55,000
 
Use of reserve
   
(44,000
)
 
(29,000
)
 
(63,000
)
 
(43,000
)
Ending balance
 
$
217,000
 
$
210,000
 
$
217,000
 
$
210,000
 



Deferred Taxes. Net deferred tax assets are shown net of valuation allowance in the amount of $85,000 and $82,000, as of September 30, 2006 and March 31, 2006, respectively, to reflect the likelihood of the recoverability of certain of these assets. Company judgment of the recoverability of certain of these assets is based primarily on estimates of current and expected future earnings and tax planning.

15

 
Retirement Benefits Obligation. The Company currently determines the value of retirement benefits assets and liabilities on an actuarial basis using a 5.75% discount rate. Long-term deferred retirement benefit obligations amounted to $666,000 and $661,000, respectively, as of September 30, 2006 and March 31, 2006. Values are affected by current independent indices, which estimate the expected return on insurance policies and the discount rates used. Changes in the discount rate used will affect the amount of pension liability as well as pension gain or loss recognized in other comprehensive income.

Revenue Recognition. Cargo revenue is recognized upon completion of contract terms and maintenance revenue is recognized when the service has been performed. Revenue from product sales is recognized when contract terms are completed and title has passed to customers. Revenues from long-term fixed price manufacturing projects are recognized on the percentage-of-completion method. The Company was not engaged in any long-term fixed-price contracts in the six months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005.

Valuation of Long-Lived Assets. The Company assesses long-lived assets used in operations for impairment when events and circumstances indicate the assets may be impaired and the undiscounted cash flows estimated to be generated by those assets are less than their carrying amount. In the event it is determined that the carrying values of long-lived assets are in excess of the fair value of those assets, the Company then will write-down the value of the assets to fair value.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In June 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Interpretation ("FIN") No. 48, "Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes-an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109." This Interpretation prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return, and provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure, and transition. This Interpretation is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006 and is not expected to have a material affect.


Company Adoption Of Stock Based Compensation Reporting Under FAS 123(R)

At September 30, 2006, the Company had one stock based compensation plan (the Plan) in effect, which is discussed more fully below. Prior to April 1, 2006, the Company accounted for the Plan under the recognition and measurement provisions of APB Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, and related Interpretations, as permitted by FASB Statement No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation. No stock-based employee compensation cost was recognized in the Statement of Operations for the three and six-month periods ended September 30, 2005, as no options were granted during those periods. Effective April 1, 2006, the Company adopted the fair value recognition provisions of FASB Statement No. 123(R), Share-Based Payment, using the modified-prospective method. Under this method, compensation cost recognized in the three and six-month periods ended September 30, 2006 included: (a) compensation cost for a proportional amount of all share-based payments granted prior to April 1, 2006, but not yet vested until September 30, 2006, based on the grant date fair value estimated in accordance with the original provisions of Statement 123, and (b) compensation cost for all share-based payments granted subsequent to March 31, 2006, based on the grant-date fair value estimated in accordance with the provisions of Statement 123(R). Results for the prior period have not been restated.

As a result of adopting Statement 123(R) on April 1, 2006, the Company’s income before income taxes and net income for the three and six months ended September 30, 2006, were, respectively, $58,358 and $35,015 and $89,108 and $53,465 lower than if it had continued to account for share-based compensation under APB Opinion No. 25. Compensation expense as a result of stock options affected basic and diluted earnings per share by $.01 and $.02, respectively, for the three and six months ended September 30, 2006.
 
16

 
 
Prior to the adoption of Statement 123(R), the Company did not present tax benefits of deductions resulting from the exercise of stock options as operating cash flows in the Statement of Cash Flows. Statement 123(R) requires the cash flows resulting from the tax benefits resulting from tax deductions in excess of the compensation cost recognized for those options (excess tax benefits) to be classified as financing cash flows.
 
A total of 209,000 options were granted under the Company’s stock option plan during the three-month period ended September 30, 2006.

The compensation cost that had been charged against net income for the Plan was, respectively, $58,358 and $89,108 for the three and six months ended September 30, 2006. The total income tax benefit recognized in the income statement for the share-based compensation arrangements was, respectively, $23,343 and $35,643 for the three and six months ended September 30, 2006.

The Company’s Plan, which is shareholder-approved, permits the grant of share options and shares to its employees and non-employee directors for up to 250,000 shares of common stock. The Company believes that such awards better align the interests of its employees and directors with those of its stockholders. Option awards are generally granted with an exercise price equal to the market price of the Company’s stock at the date of grant; for employee options, the plan provides that awards generally vest one-third per year after the first anniversary date from the date of grant; for non-employee director options, those option awards vest one year after the date of grant; options generally have 10-year contractual terms. Dividends are not paid on unexercised options. Certain options and share awards provide for accelerated vesting if there is a change in control (as defined in the Plan). As of September 30, 2006, 224,000 employee options have been awarded under the Plan. In addition to 15,000 options granted in fiscal 2006, 197,000 options were granted on August 15, 2006 at an exercise price of $8.29 per share, one-third vest one year from dated of grant, and one-third for each year after, and 12,000 options were granted on August 17, 2006 at an exercise price of $8.52 per share which vest on the first anniversary of the date of grant.

The fair value of each option award is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing formula that uses the assumptions discussed in Note 6. of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) included in Item 1 of these reports. Expected volatilities are based on historical volatility of the Company’s stock, and other factors. Dividend yields are based on the last three years’ dividends divided by the average high and low stock prices for the period. The expected term of options granted is derived from the output of the option valuation model and represents the period of time that options granted are expected to be outstanding. The risk-free rate for periods within the contractual life of the option is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant. See Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2006 for details regarding prior year option awards.

Seasonality

Global’s business has historically been highly seasonal. Due to the nature of its product line, the bulk of Global’s revenues and earnings have typically occurred during the second and third fiscal quarters in anticipation of the winter season, and comparatively little has occurred during the first and fourth fiscal quarters. The Company has continued its efforts to reduce Global’s seasonal fluctuation in revenues and earnings by increasing international sales and broadening its product line to increase revenues and earnings in the first and fourth fiscal quarters. In June 1999, Global was awarded a four-year contract to supply deicing equipment to the United States Air Force, and Global has been awarded two three-year extensions on the contract. In March 2003 and December 2005 Global, respectively, received a large scale, fixed-stand deicer contract from the City of Philadelphia and a large mobile deice equipment order from China, which the Company believes contributed to management’s plan to reduce seasonal fluctuation in revenues during fiscal 2004 and 2006. However, since these contracts have been completed, Global is more susceptible to the resumption of historical seasonal trends. The remainder of the Company’s business is not materially seasonal.
 
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Results of Operations

Consolidated revenue decreased $4,547,000 (12.9%) to $30,805,000 and $3,415,000 (18.8%) to $14,721,000, respectively, for the six and three-month periods ended September 30, 2006 compared to their equivalent 2005 periods. The six-month decrease in revenues resulted from a $4,697,000 decrease in air cargo revenues, primarily related to decreased direct operating costs, passed through to the Company’s Customer at cost, and maintenance service revenues, as discussed above in Overview, offset by a $150,000 increase in the ground equipment revenues related to increased service revenues, as discussed above in Overview. The three-month revenues decreases resulted from a $2,045,000 decrease in cargo revenues, discussed above, and a $1,370,000 decrease in ground equipment revenues, primarily due to the mix of customer production and service orders received in the current period, discussed above in overview.

Operating expenses decreased $5,293,000 (15.4%) to $29,148,000 for the six-month period ended September 30, 2006 and decreased $3,502,000 (19.8%) to $14,169,000 for the three-month period ended September 30, 2006 compared to there equivalent 2005 periods. The net decrease in operating expenses for the six-month period consisted of the following: cost of flight operations decreased $468,000 (5.2%) primarily as a result of decreased costs associated with flight department and pilot staffing and pilot travel due to completion of customer flight schedule changes; maintenance expense decreased $3,248,000 (34.3%) primarily as a result of decreases in the volume of aircraft parts purchased for ATR aircraft and cost of MAC and outside direct maintenance, maintenance personnel, cost of travel and contract services, related to customer fleet modernization; ground equipment operating expenses decreased $1,418,000 (12.7%), as a result of $788,000 in costs related to the Philadelphia boom repairs booked by Global in the six-month period ended September 30, 2005 and decreased manufacturing, engineering and sales costs associated with the revenue mix discussed above; depreciation and amortization increased $3,000 (1.0%) as a result of depreciation on purchases of capital assets; and general and administrative expense decreased $162,000 (3.6%)primarily as a result of decreased staff salaries and related expense and utilities costs, partially offset by an increase in employee’s profit sharing provision.

The change in operating expenses for the three-month periods, respectively, ended September 30, 2006 and 2005 consisted of the following: cost of flight operations decreased $297,000 (6.4%) primarily as a result of decreased costs associated with flight department and pilot staffing and pilot travel due to completion of customer flight schedule changes; maintenance expense decreased $1,073,000 (25.6%) primarily as a result of decreases in the volume of aircraft parts purchased for ATR aircraft and cost of MAC and outside direct maintenance, maintenance personnel, cost of travel and contract services, related to customer fleet modernization; ground equipment operating expenses decreased $1,953,000 (30.4%), as a result of lower manufacturing, engineering and sales costs discussed above and $415,000 in costs related to the Philadelphia boom repairs booked by Global in the quarter ended September 30, 2005; depreciation and amortization decreased $19,000 (11.3%) as a result of retirement of capital assets; and general and administrative expense decreased $161,000 (7.0%)primarily as a result of decreased staff salaries and benefits expense and professional fees, partially offset by an increase in employee’s profit sharing provision.

The current six-month period’s increased operating income ($745,000) (81.8%) resulted primarily from the recognition in the 2005 six-month period of approximately $788,000 in operating expense related to Global’s efforts to return the Philadelphia de-icing units to service and from higher first quarter fiscal 2007 equipment unit revenues and order mix in the ground equipment sector, partly offset by decreased maintenance revenues associated with the air cargo segment.

The current three-month period’s increased operating income ($87,000) (18.8%) resulted primarily from the recognition in the 2005 three-month period of approximately $415,000 in operating expense related to Global’s efforts to return the Philadelphia de-icing units to service and from higher operating margins due to order mix in the ground equipment sector, partially offset by decreased maintenance revenues associated with the air cargo segment.

Non-operating expense, net, decreased $79,000 and $30,000, respectively, as a result of increased earnings on marketable securities and reduced interest expense due to lower levels of borrowing in the six and three-month periods ended September 30, 2006.

Pretax earnings increased respectively, $824,000 and $118,000 for the six and three-month periods ended September 30, 2006 compared to 2005, principally due to $788,000 and $415,000, respectively, in costs related to the Philadelphia boom repairs booked by Global during the six and three months periods ended September 30, 2005, and the above stated ground equipment segment’s increased operating income, offset by decreased maintenance margins related to the air cargo segment.

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The provision for income taxes for the six and three-month periods ended September 30, 2006 increased $268,000 and decreased $11,000, respectively, compared to their 2005 periods, primarily due to increased current period pretax earnings offset by permanent tax differences for the quarter ended September 30, 2006.
 
Liquidity and Capital Resources

As of September 30, 2006 the Company's working capital amounted to $14,658,000, an increase of $3,578,000 compared to March 31, 2006. The net increase primarily resulted from an increase in inventory and cash and cash equivalents, partially offset by a decrease in accounts receivable. The change in accounts receivable was principally the result of the timing of payment of certain accounts.

In August 2006, the Company was advised by its lender that the expiration date of its $7,000,000 secured long-term revolving credit line had been extended to August 31, 2008. The revolving credit line contains customary events of default, a subjective acceleration clause and restrictive covenants that, among other matters, require the Company to maintain certain financial ratios. There is no requirement for the Company to maintain a lock-box arrangement under this agreement. As of September 30, 2006, the Company was in compliance with all of the restrictive covenants. The amount of credit available to the Company under the agreement at any given time is determined by an availability calculation, based on the eligible borrowing base, as defined in the credit agreement, which includes the Company’s outstanding receivables, inventories and equipment, with certain exclusions. At September 30, 2006, $4,427,000 was available under the terms of the credit facility. The credit facility is secured by substantially all of the Company’s assets.

Amounts advanced under the credit facility bear interest at the 30-day “LIBOR” rate plus 137 basis points. The LIBOR rate at September 30, 2006 was 5.32%. At September 30, 2006, $1,909,000 was outstanding against the line.
 
The Company is exposed to changes in interest rates on certain portions of its line of credit, which bears interest based on the 30-day LIBOR rate plus 137 basis points. If the LIBOR interest rate had been increased by one percentage point, based on the balance of the line of credit at September 30, 2006, annual interest expense would have increased by approximately $19,000.

The Company assumes various financial obligations and commitments in the normal course of its operations and financing activities. Financial obligations are considered to represent known future cash payments that the Company is required to make under existing contractual arrangements such as debt and lease agreements.

The respective six-month periods ended September 30, 2006 and 2005 resulted in the following changes in cash flow: operating activities provided $424,000 and used $2,401,000 in 2006 and 2005, respectively, investing activities used $67,000 and $194,000 in 2006 and 2005, respectively, and financing activities provided $1,146,000 and $1,272,000 in 2006 and 2005, respectively. Net cash increased $1,502,000 and decreased $1,323,000 during the six months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005, respectively.

Cash provided by operating activities was $2,825,000 more for the six-months ended September 30, 2006 compared to the similar 2005 period, principally due to decreased accounts receivables and increased net earnings, partially offset by increased inventory. The increase in inventory was primarily the result of accelerated acquisition of critical inventory components by Global in anticipation of potential shortages of these components. At September 30, 2006, Global’s backlog was approximately $14,500,000.
 
      Cash used in investing activities for the six-months ended September 30, 2006 was $127,000 less than the comparable period in 2005 due to decreased current period capital expenditures.
 
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    Cash provided by financing activities was $127,000 less in the 2006 six-month period than in the corresponding 2005 period primarily due to a decrease in the current period line of credit’s net borrowings. 
 
    There are currently no commitments for significant capital expenditures. The Company’s Board of Directors on August 7, 1998 adopted the policy to pay an annual cash dividend, based on profitability and other factors, in the first quarter of each fiscal year, in an amount to be determined by the Board. The Company paid a $0.25 per share cash dividend in June 2006.
 
Deferred Retirement Obligation

Contractual death benefits for the Company’s former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer who passed away on April 18, 1997 are payable by the Company in the amount of $75,000 per year for 10 years from the date of his death. As of September 30, 2006, $64,000 has been reflected as a current liability and $17,000 has been reflected as a long-term liability associated with this death benefit.


Impact of Inflation

If interest rates continue to rise, the Company believes the impact of inflation and changing prices on its revenues and net earnings could have a material effect on its manufacturing operations if the Company cannot increase prices to pass the additional costs on to its customers. Although the Company’s air cargo business can pass through the major cost components of its operations, without markup, under its current contract terms, higher rates of inflation could affect our customer’s current business plans.



Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

Quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk are included in Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.


Item 4. Controls and Procedures

As of the end of the period covered by this report, management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures with respect to the information generated for use in this report. Based upon, and as of the date of that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures were effective to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in the reports we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Commission's rules and forms, and that management will be timely alerted to material information required to be included in the Company’s periodic reports filed with the Commission.

There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during or subsequent to the second quarter of fiscal 2007 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

It should be noted that while the Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, believe that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures provide a reasonable level of assurance, they do not expect that the disclosure controls and procedures or internal controls will prevent all error and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well conceived or 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 controls. The design of any system of controls 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, controls 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.

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PART II -- OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

On February 28, 2005, a 135-foot fixed-stand deicing boom sold by Global for installation at the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania airport, and maintained by Global, collapsed on an Airbus A330 aircraft operated by U.S. Airways. While the aircraft suffered some structural damage, no passengers or crew on the aircraft were injured. The operator of the deicing boom has claimed to suffer injuries in connection with the collapse. Immediately following this incident, the remaining eleven fixed stand deicing booms sold by Global and installed at the Philadelphia airport were placed out of service pending investigation of their structural soundness. These booms include 114-foot smaller deicing booms, as well as additional 135-foot extended deicing booms. All of these booms were designed, fabricated and installed by parties other than Global and are the only booms of this model that have been sold by Global.

In June 2005, after an independent structural engineering firm’s investigation identified specific design flaws and structural defects in the remaining 11 booms and Global’s subcontractor declined to participate in efforts to return the remaining 11 booms to service, Global agreed with the City of Philadelphia to effect specific repairs to the remaining 11 booms. Under this agreement, Global agreed to effect the repairs to these booms at its expense and reserved its rights to recover these expenses from any third party ultimately determined to be responsible for defects and flaws in these booms. The agreement provides that if Global performs its obligations under the agreement, the City of Philadelphia will not pursue any legal remedies against Global for the identified design flaws and structural defects with respect to these 11 booms. However, the City of Philadelphia retains its rights with respect to any cause of action arising from the collapse of the boom in February 2005.
 
    On October 11, 2005, Global completed the repair, installation and recertification of ten of the deicing booms. Repair had been completed on the eleventh boom, which was then damaged in transit to the Philadelphia airport by an independent carrier. The additional repair work on that boom has been completed and the boom has been delivered back to the airport. The carrier had initially undertaken that such further repair work would be at its expense, though the carrier now disclaims liability for the full costs associated with the damage to the eleventh boom. Global has initiated litigation against the carrier to recover its costs related to the damage to the eleventh boom.
 
Global has been named as a defendant in two legal actions arising from the February 2005 boom collapse at the Philadelphia airport. In the first, U.S. Airways vs. Elliott Equipment Company, et al., which is pending in United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, U.S. Airways initiated an action on April 7, 2006 against Global and its subcontractor seeking to recover approximately $2.9 million, representing the alleged cost to repair of the damaged Airbus A330 aircraft and loss of use of the aircraft while it was being repaired. This matter is in the initial stage of discovery. In the second action, Emerson vs. Elliott Equipment Company, et al., pending in the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas, the boom operator is seeking to recover unspecified damages from Global and its subcontractor for injuries arising from the collapse of the boom. This matter was initiated on October 21, 2005 and is scheduled for trial in November 2007. The Company understands that the boom operator has recovered from his injuries and has returned to fulltime work. Global maintains product liability insurance in excess of the amount of the recoveries claimed above and is being defended in both of these matters by its product liability insurance carrier. Global’s insurance coverage does not extend to the costs incurred by Global to examine and repair the other 11 booms at the Philadelphia airport.

On August 4, 2005, Global commenced litigation in the Court of Common Pleas, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania against Glazer Enterprises, Inc. t/a Elliott Equipment Company, Global’s subcontractor that designed, fabricated and warrantied the booms at the Philadelphia airport, seeking to recover approximately $905,000 in costs incurred by Global in fiscal 2006 in connection with repairing the 11 booms and any damages arising from the collapse of the boom in February 2005. That case has been removed to federal court and is pending before United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and has been assigned to the same judge before whom the U.S. Airways litigation is pending against Global. This matter is in the initial stage of discovery. The Company cannot provide assurance that it will be able to recover its repair expenses, or otherwise be successful, in this action.
 
    On August 8, 2006, Global commenced litigation in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania (Global Ground Support, LLC v. Sautter Crane Rental, Inc)., Civil Action No. 06-CV-03511) seeking to recover all damages and losses incurred as a result of the damage that occurred to the 135 foot deicing boom while in transit back to the Philadelphia International Airport. In that action, Global seeks damages in excess of $300,000. That matter is in its initial stages, but has been assigned to the same Judge who is hearing the other US Airways/Global/Elliott Equipment cases. The Company cannot provide assurance that it will be able to recover all of its damages and losses, or otherwise be successful, in this action.

The Company is currently involved in certain personal injury and environmental matters, which involve pending or threatened lawsuits. Management believes the results of these pending or threatened lawsuits will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations or financial position.


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Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

(a) The Company held its 2006 annual meeting of stockholders on September 28, 2006.

(b) Each of the individuals listed in the Company’s definitive proxy statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 14, 2006 as nominees for election as directors was elected at the annual meeting. These nominees are listed below.

(c) At the annual meeting, the stockholders voted on the election of all nine members of the Board of Directors and ratification of the appointment of Dixon Hughes PLLC to serve as the Company’s independent auditors for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2007. The following tables summarize the results of the voting on these matters.

Election of Directors


Nominee
   
Shares Voted "For"
   
Shares Voted "Withheld"
 
               
               
Claude S. Abernethy, Jr.
   
2,455,441
   
121,970
 
Sam Chesnutt
   
2,548,170
   
29,241
 
Allison T. Clark
   
2,479,845
   
97,566
 
Walter Clark
   
2,484,326
   
93,085
 
John J. Gioffre
   
2,391,609
   
185,802
 
George C. Prill
   
2,548,620
   
28,791
 
William H. Simpson
   
2,484,288
   
93,123
 
Dennis A. Wicker
   
2,455,371
   
122,040
 
J. Bradley Wilson
   
2,548,120
   
29,291
 





Ratification of Appointment of Independent Auditors

Votes Cast For
 
Votes Cast Against
 
Votes Cast to Abstain
2,569,870
 
7,316
 
225


(d) Not applicable

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Item 6. Exhibits

(a) Exhibits

No.  Description

3.1  
Restated Certificate of Incorporation, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2001

3.2  
By-laws of the Company, as amended, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1996

4.1  
Specimen Common Stock Certificate, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1994



31.1  
Certification of Walter Clark

31.2  
Certification of John J. Gioffre

32.1  
Section 1350 Certification

__________________
 


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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

AIR T, INC.

By:  /s/ Walter Clark    
Walter Clark, Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)


Date: November 3, 2006


By:  /s/ John J. Gioffre   
John J. Gioffre, Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)


Date: November 3, 2006


 

 



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AIR T, INC.
EXHIBIT INDEX



Exhibit Number Document


31.1 Certification of Walter Clark
31.2 Certification of John Gioffre
32.1 Section 1350 certification












































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