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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 9, 2012

Registration No. 333-175942

 

 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

Amendment No. 4

to

FORM S-1

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

 

ERA GROUP INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware   4522   72-1455213

(State or Other Jurisdiction of

Incorporation or Organization)

  (Primary Standard Industrial
Classification Code Number)
  (I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

 

 

600 Airport Service Road

Lake Charles, Louisiana 70605

(337) 478-6131

(Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Registrant’s Principal Executive Offices)

Paul L. Robinson, Esq.

General Counsel

2200 Eller Drive

P.O. Box 13038

Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33316

(954) 523-2200

(Name, Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Agent For Service)

 

 

Copies to:

 

Alexander D. Lynch, Esq.

Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP
767 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10153
(212) 310-8000 (Phone)

(212) 310-8007 (Fax)

 

Allan D. Reiss, Esq.

E. Ramey Layne, Esq.

Vinson & Elkins L.L.P.

666 Fifth Avenue

New York, New York, 10103

(212) 237-0000 (Phone)

(212) 237-0100 (Fax)

 

 

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: As soon as practicable after the effective date of this Registration Statement.

If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), check the following box.  ¨

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  ¨

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  ¨

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “accelerated filer,” “large accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer  ¨     Accelerated filer  ¨     Non-accelerated filer  x     Smaller reporting company  ¨

The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until the Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.

 

 

 


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The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 

Subject to Completion,

Preliminary Prospectus dated March 9, 2012

PROSPECTUS

            Shares

 

LOGO

Era Group Inc.

Class A Common Stock

 

 

This is the initial public offering of the Class A common stock of Era Group Inc. We are offering shares of the Class A common stock. Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for the shares of Class A common stock. We currently estimate that the initial public offering price will be between $             and $             per share. We have applied to list the shares on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) under the symbol “ERA.”

SEACOR Holdings Inc., or SEACOR, currently owns 100% of our outstanding common stock, and following consummation of this offering, SEACOR will continue to be our controlling stockholder. Following consummation of this offering, we will have two classes of authorized common stock: Class A common stock, which we are offering hereby, and Class B common stock. SEACOR will not own any shares of our Class A common stock and will own all of the issued and outstanding shares of our Class B common stock, representing approximately     % of our total outstanding shares of common stock, without giving effect to any exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares, as described below. The rights of the holders of Class A and Class B common stock are substantially identical, except with respect to voting and conversion. Specifically, the holders of Class B common stock shall be entitled to eight votes per share and the holders of Class A common stock shall be entitled to one vote per share. Accordingly, SEACOR will hold approximately     % of the combined voting power of our outstanding common stock upon completion of this offering. In addition, the shares of Class B common stock are automatically convertible into shares of Class A common stock upon specified events or, prior to a tax-fee spin-off, at the option of the holders of Class B common stock. The shares of Class A common stock are not convertible into any other shares of our capital stock.

Investing in our Class A common stock involves risks that are described in the “Risk Factors” section beginning on page 14 of this prospectus.

 

 

 

     Per Share      Total  

Initial public offering price

   $                    $                

Underwriting discount

   $         $     

Proceeds, before expenses, to us

   $         $     

We have granted the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional              shares of Class A common stock from us at the initial public offering price, less the underwriting discount, if the underwriters sell more than             shares of Class A common stock in this offering.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

 

The underwriters expect to deliver the shares on or about                     , 2012.

 

 

 

   Joint Lead Bookrunners  
Goldman, Sachs & Co.    J.P. Morgan   Deutsche Bank Securities
   Lead Managers  
Wells Fargo Securities    SunTrust Robinson Humphrey   Morgan Keegan
   Co-Managers  
Comerica Securities      The Williams Capital Group, L.P.

 

 

Prospectus dated                     , 2012


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     Page  

PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

     1   

RISK FACTORS

     14   

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

     36   

USE OF PROCEEDS

     38   

DIVIDEND POLICY

     39   

CAPITALIZATION

     40   

DILUTION

     41   

SELECTED HISTORICAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA

     43   

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

     46   

INDUSTRY AND MARKET DATA

     64   

BUSINESS

     67   

MANAGEMENT

     80   

COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

     88   

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

     111   

PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS

     117   

DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

     118   

SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE

     125   

MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL TAX CONSIDERATIONS TO NON-U.S. HOLDERS

     127   

UNDERWRITING

     130   

LEGAL MATTERS

     135   

EXPERTS

     135   

WHERE YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

     136   

INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

     F-1   

 

 

You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus. We have not and the underwriters have not authorized any other person to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. We are not and the underwriters are not making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus is only accurate as of the date on the front cover of this prospectus. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since that date.

Era and its respective logos are our trademarks. Solely for convenience, we refer to our trademarks in this prospectus without the ™ and ® symbols, but such references are not intended to indicate, in any way, that we will not assert, to the fullest extent under applicable law, our rights to our trademarks. Other service marks, trademarks and trade names referred to in this prospectus are the property of their respective owners. As indicated in this prospectus, we have included market data and industry forecasts that were obtained from industry publications and other sources.

 

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PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

Era Group Inc. (“Era”), a Delaware corporation and the registrant, is currently a wholly-owned subsidiary of SEACOR Holdings Inc., a Delaware corporation (together with its other majority owned subsidiaries, “SEACOR”) . Prior to this offering, our business was referred to by SEACOR as its Aviation Services business segment. Following the closing of the offering, SEACOR will continue to be our majority stockholder. The consolidated financial statements and consolidated financial data included in this prospectus are the financial statements and financial data of Era. Unless the context requires otherwise, references in this prospectus to “Era,” “we,” “us,” “our company” or similar terms refer to Era Group Inc. and its subsidiaries.

This summary highlights selected information described more fully elsewhere in this prospectus. This summary does not contain all the information you should consider before investing in our common stock. You should read the entire prospectus, including the financial statements and related notes, before making an investment decision with respect to our Class A common stock. You should pay special attention to the “Risk Factors” section of this prospectus for a discussion of factors you should consider before investing in our Class A common stock.

Our Company

We are one of the largest helicopter operators in the world and the longest serving helicopter transport operator in the United States, which is our primary area of operations. In 2011, approximately 46% and 16% of our total operating revenues were earned in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico and Alaska, respectively. We also provide helicopters and related services to third-party helicopter operators in other countries. In addition to our U.S. customers, we currently have customers in Brazil, Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Spain, Norway, Indonesia and India. Our helicopters are primarily used to transport personnel to, from and between, offshore installations, drilling rigs and platforms. The primary users of our transport services are major integrated and independent oil and gas companies and U.S. government agencies. In 2011, approximately 55% of our operating revenues were derived from helicopter services, including search and rescue services, provided to clients primarily involved in oil and gas activities. In addition to serving the oil and gas industry, we provide air medical services, firefighting support and Alaska flightseeing tours. Although historically our operations have primarily served the U.S. offshore oil and gas industry, in recent years we have made efforts to reduce our dependence on that market and take advantage of the mobility and versatility of our helicopters in order to expand into other geographic regions and to serve other industries.

We believe a key factor in optimizing results of operations is to maintain a versatile, modern fleet. We believe our borrowing capacity under the new senior secured revolving credit facility that we entered into on December 22, 2011 and our strong relationships with original equipment manufacturers (“OEMs”) will position us well to add new helicopters to our fleet and upgrade existing helicopters, thereby maintaining an asset base suitable for use within our own operations and for contract-leasing to other operators. We also leverage our strong relationships with OEMs to support growth in other services, such as selling specialty equipment and accessories for helicopters, and training. OEMs generally support the aircraft through the sale of aftermarket parts and often may be able to offer a lower initial purchase price because the aftermarket part sales can offset the lower initial purchase price. As a result, OEMs have a vested interest in aftermarket support and safety records.

We own and operate three classes of helicopters:

 

   

Heavy helicopters, which have twin engines and a typical passenger capacity of 19, are primarily used in support of the deepwater offshore oil and gas industry, frequently in harsh environments or in areas with long distances from shore, such as those in the North Sea and Australia. Heavy helicopters are also used to support search and rescue operations.

 

 

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Medium helicopters, which mostly have twin engines and a typical passenger capacity of eleven to twelve, are primarily used to support the offshore oil and gas industry, search and rescue and air medical services, firefighting activities and corporate uses.

 

   

Light helicopters, which may have single or twin engines and a typical passenger capacity of four to nine, are used to support a wide range of activities, including shallow water oil and gas exploration, development and production, the mining industry, power line and pipeline surveying, air medical services, tourism and corporate uses.

As of December 31, 2011, we owned or operated a total of 175 helicopters, consisting of seven heavy helicopters, 65 medium helicopters, 58 single engine light helicopters and 45 twin engine light helicopters. As of December 31, 2011, in addition to our existing operating fleet, we had purchased and were in possession of one Eurocopter EC225, two Eurocopter EC135s and four AgustaWestland AW139s, all of which will become operational in 2012. As of December 31, 2011, we had placed orders for twelve new helicopters, consisting of one EC225 heavy helicopter, four AW139 medium helicopters, five AgustaWestland AW169 light twin helicopters and two EC135 light twin helicopters. The EC225, the AW139s and the EC135s are scheduled to be delivered in 2012. Delivery dates for the AW169s have yet to be determined. In addition, we had outstanding options to purchase up to an additional 15 AW139 medium helicopters. If these options are exercised, the helicopters will be delivered beginning in 2012 through 2015. Subsequent to December 31, 2011, we committed to purchase one EC225 and other equipment.

The safety of our passengers and the maintenance of a safe working environment for our employees is our number one operational priority. Our customers subject our operations to regular audits and evaluate us based on our safety record and operational fitness and we believe our attention to safety is a critical element in obtaining and retaining customers.

We believe we have an excellent safety record and a strong safety culture throughout our organization. We have implemented a safety program that includes, among many other features, (i) transition and recurrent training using flight training devices, (ii) a Federal Aviation Administration (“FAA”) approved flight operational quality assurance program and (iii) health and usage monitoring systems, otherwise known as HUMS, which automatically monitor and report on vibrations and other anomalies on key components of certain helicopters in our fleet.

We are a subsidiary of SEACOR, a NYSE-listed company that is in the business of owning, operating, investing in, and marketing equipment, primarily in the offshore oil and gas, industrial aviation and marine transportation industries. Following completion of this offering, SEACOR will not own any shares of our Class A common stock and will own all of the issued and outstanding shares of our Class B common stock. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides for a dual-class structure of our common stock. The shares of our Class A common stock, the class of stock we are selling in this offering, have one vote per share. The shares of our Class B common stock have eight votes per share. The Class A common stock is the only class of stock that will be publicly traded. Following consummation of this offering, SEACOR will own all of the issued and outstanding shares of our Class B common stock, and will hold approximately     % of the combined voting power of all of our issued and outstanding capital stock. In addition, the shares of Class B common stock are automatically convertible into shares of Class A common stock upon specified events or, prior to a tax-free spin-off, at the option of the holders of Class B common stock. The shares of Class A common stock are not convertible into any other shares of our capital stock. In addition, SEACOR owns all of the outstanding shares of our Series A preferred stock, which is convertible into shares of our Class B common stock at the applicable conversion rates. We intend to use the net proceeds of this offering to redeem shares of our Series A preferred stock at the original issue price of $100 per share plus accrued but unpaid dividends. Following this offering, we expect to have              shares of our Series A preferred stock outstanding. See “Description of Capital Stock—6% Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series A.”

 

 

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SEACOR provides us with essential support functions, including payroll processing, information systems support, benefit plan management, cash disbursement support, cash receipt processing and treasury management pursuant to the terms of a transition services agreement, dated December 30, 2011, which is filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement of which this prospectus forms a part. SEACOR also provides us with certain corporate services pursuant to the transition services agreement, and we have negotiated an initial quarterly charge of $500,000 for these corporate services. The transition services agreement will continue until the earlier of when the provision of all services has been terminated at either our or SEACOR’s option or upon an event of default. We expect our operations will remain the same following the consummation of the offering. See “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Agreements with SEACOR—Transition Services Agreement.”

The Helicopter Services Industry

Helicopters are used for the transportation of personnel, light equipment and supplies for a wide variety of industries, including offshore oil and gas, tourism, construction, forestry, mining, recreation and travel. In addition, they provide mission-critical services to law enforcement, search and rescue, firefighting and medical services organizations. The helicopter industry is capital intensive. According to Flightglobal, an online provider of aerospace news and data (“Flightglobal”), in recent years, manufacturers delivered approximately 200 medium and 50 heavy helicopters per year, split between civilian and military customers, and orders for such helicopters are typically placed one to three years prior to the expected delivery. The helicopter industry is highly regulated and government-issued licenses and operating certificates must be obtained in order to operate aircraft within a specific country. The oil and gas industry is serviced by three global operators, including us, with fleets in excess of 150 helicopters and at least 15 regional operators with fleets of less than 50 helicopters, according to PFC Energy, Inc., a strategic advisor in the global energy industry (“PFC Energy”). As the offshore oil and gas industry has expanded, according to PFC Energy, demand for helicopters has increased because helicopters tend to be the primary form of transport for rig and platform crews and personnel providing special services during drilling operations. According to PFC Energy, as offshore drilling and production moves further offshore to deeper waters, it is expected that the industry will require additional helicopters to transport personnel and equipment to support larger, new infrastructure that operates at a higher level of activity. We do not believe, based on our industry experience, that our oil and gas industry customers will begin maintaining their own helicopter service operations because current industry trends primarily suggest that oil and gas companies are ceasing to operate their own fleets in favor of dedicated helicopter operators. However, the offshore oil and gas industry has historically been cyclical and is affected by prevailing oil and gas price levels, general economic conditions, and changes in governmental programs, permitting and spending, including the imposition of moratoriums on offshore deepwater drilling operations. The use of helicopters has also expanded into many other industries where the urgency and/or difficulty of access justify the costs. See “Industry and Market Data.”

Competitive Strengths

We believe the following are our key competitive strengths:

Blended contract-leasing and operating business model—We believe, based on our industry experience and understanding of the business models of our competitors, the combination of operating helicopters and contract-leasing helicopters to other operators is a distinctive business model in the helicopter services industry, focusing on returns and profits over market share. We believe our operating business in the United States provides us a critical competitive benefit when offering helicopters to operators outside the United States. Our U.S. operations serve as a support center for clients outside of the United States and a market backstop when contracts end. Our contract-leasing activities, which accounted for approximately 28% of our revenues in 2011, enable us to reach new geographical markets, create diverse uses for our helicopters and help maintain higher utilization than would otherwise be feasible. In addition, we can penetrate these markets without the cost associated with setting up a

 

 

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full service, proprietary operation. Unlike financial leasing entities, we can work with clients that need aircraft for relatively short-term contracts. We also offer operational support, training, maintenance and access to our inventory of spare parts. We believe this blended business model allows for a more efficient deployment of our capital resources.

Our diverse and modern fleet—We have one of the largest U.S.-based helicopter fleets and one of the largest fleets of helicopters operating on a global basis. As of December 31, 2011, our fleet consisted of 175 helicopters, of which 127 were located in the United States and 48 in international markets. As of December 31, 2011, in addition to our existing fleet, we had purchased and were in possession of seven helicopters, all of which will become operational in 2012. As of December 31, 2011, we had placed orders for twelve new helicopters and had outstanding options to purchase up to an additional 15 helicopters. Subsequent to December 31, 2011, we committed to purchase one helicopter and other equipment. We believe our size allows us to purchase helicopters and spare parts on attractive terms. We have funded our investment in new helicopters, in part, through the sale of older aircraft and by using cash generated from operations and funds invested by our parent, SEACOR.

High quality workforce—We have a highly skilled workforce of pilots and mechanics. Our pilots average over 6,800 hours of flight experience and a significant number of them are qualified to operate more than one type of helicopter. Our mechanics average over 16 years of experience and receive ongoing training from both helicopter manufacturers and our in-house team of professional instructors.

Long-term customer relationships—We have strong, longstanding relationships with many of our key oil and gas industry customers and international clients. Our customers include major oil and gas companies such as Anadarko Petroleum Corporation, ExxonMobil Corporation and Shell Pipeline Company. We believe that our level of service, our technologically advanced fleet and our focus on safety have helped us establish and maintain our long-term customer relationships. As a result of our long-term customer relationships, we believe that these customers look to us first as they grow and expand their helicopter services needs.

Strong, experienced leadership team—Our executive management team has a broad range of domestic and international experience in the aviation industry. We believe this team has a proven track record of managing assets through market cycles and identifying, acquiring and integrating assets while maintaining efficient operations. Our management team has also been successful in maintaining strong relationships with our customers.

Relationship with SEACOR—Our relationship with SEACOR provides us with the opportunity to cross-market our aviation services to SEACOR’s customers that require aviation support for their offshore oil and gas activities as well as opportunities to employ helicopters in support of emergency responses, such as the 2010 earthquake in Haiti.

Ability to maintain liquidity—We believe that maintaining liquidity will enable us to take advantage of opportunities as they arise. On December 22, 2011, we entered into a $350.0 million senior secured revolving credit facility, of which $252.0 million was outstanding as of December 31, 2011. We used $242.3 million of these borrowings to settle our outstanding SEACOR advances as described below in “—Relationship with SEACOR,” and the remaining amounts under the senior secured revolving credit facility are available to fund working capital needs. On February 29, 2012, we drew an additional $15.0 million under the senior secured revolving credit facility. We expect that our senior secured revolving credit facility will provide us with sufficient liquidity following this offering, and that we will no longer require advances from SEACOR. We believe that the liquidity that we maintain through cash flow from operations and borrowings under our new senior secured revolving credit facility will provide us with the financial flexibility to expand our fleet and pursue opportunities to grow our business and also provides a hedge against any future adverse market conditions.

 

 

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Strategy

Our goal is to be a leading, cost effective global provider of helicopter transport and related services. The following are our key business strategies:

Expand into new and growing geographic markets—We believe there are significant opportunities in offshore oil and gas markets outside of the United States, and we continually seek to access these growth markets. In July 2011, we acquired an interest in a local company servicing the Brazilian offshore oil and gas industry and to which we contract-lease helicopters and provide support services. We also have working relationships with operators in India, Argentina, China, Indonesia, Mexico and other foreign locations. We believe, based on our industry experience and understanding of the market and the competitive landscape, that several of these markets are underserved by larger multinational helicopter operators and as a result provide us with significant opportunities for growth.

Further develop contract-leasing opportunities—We believe contract-leasing helps to provide stable cash flow and access to emerging, international oil and gas markets in Australia, India, Southeast Asia and West Africa. We believe customers look to us for helicopter contract-leasing because they know we have a modern, efficient fleet, with a selection of helicopter models to meet their needs. We intend to continue to develop and grow our participation in international markets, where the fundamentals for helicopter demand are favorable, particularly to service offshore deepwater installations and new areas of exploration. We believe that the market for contract-leasing will continue to grow as smaller operators in developing areas prefer the limited financial commitments of contracting equipment over purchasing, which has become increasingly difficult for them given the reduction in capital being made available from financial institutions to these smaller operators. Under certain circumstances, we may elect to set up our own operations or acquire operating certificates if we believe there is sufficient opportunity in a market to warrant the cost and effort of us offering and overseeing a full service operation.

Continue selectively to expand and upgrade our versatile fleet—We regularly review our asset portfolio. We do this by assessing market conditions and changes in our customers’ demand for different helicopter models. As offshore oil and gas drilling and production move to deeper water in most parts of the world, we believe more medium and heavy helicopters, and new technology may be required in the future. We continually assess our fleet and adjust helicopter orders accordingly, ordering new equipment as demand dictates. See “Business—Equipment and Services.” We lease out, buy and sell equipment in the ordinary course of our business. We intend to continue to pursue opportunities to realize value from our fleet’s versatility by shifting assets between markets when circumstances warrant.

Pursue strategic acquisitions and joint ventures—Over the last few years, in addition to expanding and diversifying our fleet, we have grown our business and entered new markets through acquisitions and joint ventures. Since 2004, we have completed two business acquisitions and entered into several joint ventures and partnering arrangements. We regularly seek to identify potential acquisitions and joint venture opportunities. We believe that we have a successful track record of completing and integrating acquisitions, and structuring joint ventures.

Diversify sources of earnings—We seek to develop additional sources of earnings and expand beyond our traditional helicopter transport services in the oil and gas industry. Our Dart Holding Company Ltd. joint venture engineers and manufactures after-market helicopter parts and accessories for sale to helicopter manufacturers and operators, and distributes parts and accessories on behalf of other manufacturers. Our Era Training Center LLC joint venture provides instruction, flight simulator and other training to our employees, pilots working for other helicopter operators, including our competitors, and government agencies.

 

 

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We will continue to build upon the expertise, relationships and buying power in our operating businesses to develop other business opportunities and sources of revenue.

Risks Associated with Our Business

Our business is subject to numerous risks, as discussed more fully in the section entitled “Risk Factors” beginning on page 14 of this prospectus, which you should read in its entirety. In particular:

 

   

Demand for many of our services is impacted by the level of activity in the offshore oil and gas exploration, development and production industry.

 

   

Demand for using helicopters is cyclical, not just due to cycles in the oil and gas business but also due to fluctuation in government programs and spending, as well as overall economic conditions.

 

   

We are highly dependent upon the level of activity in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico and Alaska, which are mature exploration and production regions.

 

   

The helicopter industry is subject to intense competition.

 

   

Difficult economic and financial conditions could have a material adverse effect on us.

 

   

Failure to maintain an acceptable safety record may have an adverse impact on our ability to obtain and retain customers.

 

   

We rely on relatively few customers for a significant share of our revenues, the loss of any of which could adversely affect our business and results of operations.

 

   

Consolidation of our customer base could adversely affect demand for our services and reduce our revenues.

 

   

Operational risks including, but not limited to, adverse weather conditions, seasonality, and accidents could adversely impact our operations and in some instances, expose us to liability.

 

   

We face control and oversight risks associated with our international operations.

 

   

Tax and other legal compliance risks, including anti-corruption statutes, the violation of which may adversely affect our business and operations.

 

   

As long as we are owned by SEACOR, our ability to influence the outcome of matters requiring stockholder approval will be limited.

Relationship with SEACOR

We were acquired by SEACOR in 2004, and are conducting our business as SEACOR’s Aviation Services business segment. Our relationship with SEACOR provides us with the opportunity to crossmarket our aviation services to SEACOR’s customers that require aviation support for their offshore oil and gas activities, as well as opportunities to utilize helicopters in support of emergency responses, such as the 2010 earthquake in Haiti.

Prior to our entry into a senior secured revolving credit facility on December 22, 2011, we had participated in a cash management program whereby certain of our operating and capital expenditures were funded through advances from SEACOR and certain cash collections were forwarded to SEACOR. As a consequence of this arrangement, we had historically maintained minor cash on hand balances.

 

 

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On December 23, 2011, SEACOR recapitalized Era in connection with our entry into a senior secured revolving credit facility. As part of the recapitalization, we issued 1,400,000 shares of our Series A preferred stock to SEACOR in exchange for $140.0 million of aggregate advances previously provided to us by SEACOR. SEACOR also contributed an additional $180.0 million of capital to us in respect of additional prior advances. We also used $242.3 million ($199.7 million paid to SEACOR on December 23, 2011 and $42.6 million paid to SEACOR on February 9, 2012) of borrowings outstanding under our senior secured revolving credit facility to settle our outstanding SEACOR advances as described in “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Relationship with SEACOR.

SEACOR provides us, and following consummation of this offering will continue to provide us, with a number of essential support functions, including payroll processing, information systems support, benefit plan management, cash disbursement support, cash receipt processing and treasury management. SEACOR charges us for these services based on volume processed or units processed. In addition, SEACOR provides us with certain corporate services, including executive oversight provided by SEACOR’s senior management team in areas such as corporate strategies, business development and financing, risk management related to our insurance programs, legal, accounting and tax, for which it charges us a quarterly fee. On December 30, 2011, we entered into a transition services agreement pursuant to which SEACOR continues to provide us with these services. We expect our operations to remain the same following the consummation of the offering. For a description of these agreements and other agreements we have entered or intend to enter into with SEACOR, see “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Agreements with SEACOR.”

Immediately following the completion of this offering, without giving effect to any exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares, SEACOR will not own any shares of our Class A common stock and will own all of our Class B common stock, representing approximately     % of our total outstanding shares of common stock and approximately     % of the combined voting power of our outstanding common stock. In addition, SEACOR owns all of the outstanding shares of our Series A preferred stock, which are convertible into shares of our Class B common stock at the applicable conversion rates described herein, subject to certain anti-dilution adjustments. We intend to use the net proceeds of this offering to redeem our Series A preferred stock at the applicable conversion rate of 4.375 shares of Class B common stock for each share of Series A preferred stock. Following the completion of this offering, we expect to have              shares of our Series A preferred stock outstanding. For a description of the terms of our Series A preferred stock, see “Description of Capital Stock—6% Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series A.”

Our Executive Offices

Our principal executive office is located at 600 Airport Service Road, Lake Charles, Louisiana 70605, and our telephone number is (337) 478-6131. We have a website at www.erahelicopters.com. The information that appears on our website is not part of, and is not incorporated into, this prospectus.

 

 

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The Offering

 

Class A common stock offered by us

            shares.

Common stock to be outstanding following consummation of this offering:

 

Class A common stock

            shares.

 

Class B common stock

            shares.

 

Voting rights:

 

Class A common stock

Holders of Class A common stock are entitled to one vote for each share held, representing in the aggregate approximately     % of the combined voting power of our outstanding common stock after giving effect to this offering.

 

Class B common stock

Holders of Class B common stock are entitled to eight votes for each share held, representing in the aggregate approximately     % of the combined voting power of our outstanding common stock after giving effect to this offering.

 

Shares subject to the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares of Class A common stock

We have granted the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional             shares of Class A common stock from us at the initial public offering price less the underwriting discount if the underwriters sell more than              shares of Class A common stock in this offering.

 

Use of proceeds

We estimate that the net proceeds to us from this offering, after deducting underwriting discounts and estimated offering expenses, will be approximately $             million, assuming the shares are offered at $             (the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover of this prospectus). We expect to use the net proceeds of this offering to redeem outstanding shares of our Series A preferred stock at the applicable redemption price equal to the original issue price of $100 per share, plus accrued but unpaid dividends and for general corporate purposes. Following this offering, we expect to have              shares of Series A Preferred Stock outstanding. See “Use of Proceeds.”

 

Dividend policy

We do not anticipate paying any dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future. See “Dividend Policy.”

 

Risk factors

Investing in our Class A common stock involves a high degree of risk. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 14 of this prospectus for a discussion of factors you should carefully consider before investing in our Class A common stock.

 

Proposed NYSE symbol

“ERA”

 

 

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The number of shares of Class A common stock and Class B common stock outstanding following consummation of this offering includes the             to             stock split of our outstanding shares of Class B common stock and excludes:

 

   

            shares of Class B common stock issuable upon the conversion of our Series A preferred stock outstanding after the redemption of the Series A preferred stock with the net proceeds from this offering (assuming such conversion occurs at the initial public offering price of $             per share, the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover of this prospectus);

 

   

            shares of Class A common stock issuable upon exercise of stock options to be issued in connection with this offering;

 

   

            shares of restricted stock to be issued in connection with this offering; and

 

   

            shares of our Class A common stock reserved for future grants under our compensation plans.

Unless otherwise indicated, the information in this prospectus assumes the following:

 

   

no exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase up to             additional shares of Class A common stock from us; and

 

   

an initial public offering price of $             per share, the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover of this prospectus.

 

 

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Summary Historical Consolidated Financial and Other Data

The following tables set forth the summary historical and adjusted consolidated financial data for the periods indicated. We derived the summary consolidated financial data presented below as of December 31, 2011 and 2010 and for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 from our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus.

Our historical results are not necessarily indicative of future operating results. You should read the information set forth below in conjunction with “Selected Historical Consolidated Financial Data,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and the consolidated financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus.

 

    Historical  
      For the Years Ended December 31,    
    2011     2010     2009  
    (in thousands, except share data)  

Statement of Operations Data:

     

Operating Revenues

  $ 258,148      $ 235,366      $ 235,667   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Costs and Expenses:

     

Operating

    162,707        147,233        147,955   

Administrative and general

    31,893        25,798        21,396   

Depreciation

    42,612        43,351        37,358   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    237,212        216,382        206,709   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gains on Asset Dispositions and Impairments, Net

    15,172        764        316   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating Income

    36,108        19,748        29,274   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other Income (Expense):

     

Interest income

    738        109        52   

Interest expense

    (1,376     (94     (13

Interest expense on advances from SEACOR

    (23,410     (21,437     (20,328

SEACOR management fees

    (8,799     (4,550     (5,481

Derivative gains (losses), net

    (1,326     (118     266   

Foreign currency gains (losses), net

    516        (1,511     1,439   

Other, net

    9        50          
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    (33,648     (27,551     (24,065
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (Loss) Before Income Tax Expense (Benefit) and Equity in Earnings (Losses) of 50% or Less Owned Companies

    2,460        (7,803     5,209   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income Tax Expense (Benefit):

     

Current

    (17,905     (46,315     (29,409

Deferred

    18,339        42,014        32,292   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    434        (4,301     2,883   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (Loss) Before Equity in Earnings (Losses) of 50% or Less Owned Companies

    2,026        (3,502     2,326   

Equity in Earnings (Losses) of 50% or Less Owned Companies, Net of Tax

    82        (137     (487
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Income (Loss)

    2,108        (3,639     1,839   

Accretion of redemption value on Series A Preferred Stock

    210                 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Income (Loss) attributable to Common Shares

  $ 1,898      $ (3,639   $ 1,839   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

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    Historical  
    For the Years Ended December 31,  
        2011         2010     2009  
    (in thousands, except share data)  

Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share:

     

Basic and Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share

  $ 0.18      $ (3,639.00   $ 1,839.00   

Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding

    10,270,444        1,000        1,000   

Pro Forma Earnings Per Common Share (unaudited) (1):

     

Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Common Share

     

Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding

     

Pro Forma, as Adjusted, Earnings Per Common Share (unaudited) (2):

     

Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Common Share

     

Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding

     

Other Financial Data:

     

EBITDA (3)

  $ 69,202      $ 56,833      $ 62,369   

 

     December 31,      December 31, 2011  
     2011      2010      Pro Forma(4)      Pro Forma,
as Adjusted(5)
 
                  

(unaudited)

 
     (in thousands)  

Balance Sheet Data:

           

Current Assets:

           

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 79,122       $ 3,698       $ 36,513       $                    

Receivables

     50,084         41,157         50,084      

Inventories

     24,504         23,153         24,504      

Prepaid expenses

     1,776         2,077         1,776      

Deferred income taxes

     2,293         1,672         2,293      
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total current assets

     157,779         71,757         115,170      
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Property and Equipment, Net

     709,451         612,078         709,451      

Investments, at Equity, and Advances to 50% or Less Owned Companies

     50,263         27,912         50,263      

Goodwill

     352         352         352      

Other Assets

     15,379         6,925         15,379      
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 933,224       $ 719,024       $ 890,615       $     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Current Liabilities

     78,252         29,172         35,643      

Long-Term Debt

     285,098         35,885         285,098      

Advances from SEACOR

             355,952         —        

Deferred Income Taxes

     146,177         127,799         146,177      

Deferred Gains and Other Liabilities

     8,340         6,623         8,340      

Series A Preferred Stock

     140,210         —           140,210      

Total Stockholder Equity

     275,147         163,593         275,147      
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 933,224       $     719,024       $ 890,615       $        
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1) The pro forma earnings per common share for the year ended December 31, 2011 has been computed as of January 1, 2011, to give effect to the issuance of our Class B common stock on August 1, 2011, to the replacement of our historical funding arrangement with SEACOR described in “—Relationship with SEACOR” with our $350.0 million senior secured revolving credit facility on December 22, 2011 and to SEACOR’s recapitalization of Era on December 23, 2011.

Net income attributable to common shares as reported for the year ended December 31, 2011 was adjusted to:

 

   

reduce interest expense on advances from SEACOR by $15.1 million, net of tax, to reflect the termination of our historical funding arrangement with SEACOR described in “—Relationship with SEACOR” as of January 1, 2011;

 

   

increase interest expense by $2.7 million, net of tax, to reflect interest on drawings under the senior secured revolving credit facility in replacement of advances from SEACOR as of January 1, 2011 and during the year ended December 31, 2011, less $180.0 million in advances that was contributed to us as capital by SEACOR and less $140.0 million in advances that was exchanged by SEACOR for 1,400,000 shares of our Series A preferred stock;

 

 

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increase accretion of redemption value on shares of our Series A preferred stock by $8.2 million to reflect the issuance of our Series A preferred stock as of January 1, 2011; and

 

   

reduce SEACOR management fees by $4.7 million, net of tax, to align costs with the fixed annual fee of $2.0 million to be billed in accordance with the transition services agreement entered into by us and SEACOR on December 30, 2011.

The weighted average common shares outstanding for the year ended December 31, 2011, was computed as                          shares to reflect the issuance of our Class B common stock and the              to              stock split of our outstanding Class B common stock in the initial public offering as of January 1, 2011.

 

(2) The pro forma, as adjusted, earnings per common share for the year ended December 31, 2011 has been computed to give effect as of January 1, 2011 to the events described in the pro forma earnings per common share computation and to our initial public offering.

Net income attributable to common shares as reported for the year ended December 31, 2011 was adjusted to:

 

   

increase net income attributable to common shares by $8.9 million to reflect the events described in the pro forma earnings per common share computation; and

 

   

reduce accretion of redemption value on shares of our Series A preferred stock by $         million to reflect as of January 1, 2011 the redemption of $         million of our Series A preferred stock with the estimated net proceeds from our initial public offering (assuming an initial offering price of $         per share, the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover of this prospectus).

The weighted average common shares outstanding for the year ended December 31, 2011 was computed as              shares to reflect the total of our Class A and Class B common stock outstanding upon the consummation of the initial public offering.

 

(3) We present Earnings before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization (“EBITDA”) in this prospectus to provide investors with a supplemental measure of our operating performance. Interest, in this case, includes interest income, interest expense and interest expense on advances from SEACOR. EBITDA is not a recognized term under generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”). Accordingly, it should not be used as an indicator of, or an alternative to, net income as a measure of operating performance. In addition, EBITDA is not intended to be a measure of free cash flow available for management’s discretionary use, as it does not consider certain cash requirements, such as debt service requirements. Our presentation of EBITDA has limitations as an analytical tool, and you should not consider it in isolation, or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under GAAP. Because the definition of EBITDA (or similar measures) may vary among companies and industries, it may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures used by other companies.

Management uses EBITDA as a performance metric for internal monitoring and planning purposes, including the presentation of our annual operating budget and quarterly operating reviews, and to facilitate analysis of investment decisions. In addition, the EBITDA performance metric allows us to evaluate profitability and make performance trend comparisons between us and our competitors. Further, we believe EBITDA is frequently used by securities analysts, investors and other interested parties in the evaluation of companies in our industry.

The following table provides a reconciliation of Net Income (Loss), the most directly comparable GAAP measure, to EBITDA for the historical periods presented:

 

    

 

   Years Ended December 31,  
    

 

       2011             2010             2009      
    

 

   (in thousands)  

Net Income (Loss)

      $ 2,108      $ (3,639   $ 1,839   

Depreciation

        42,612        43,351        37,358   

Interest Income

        (738     (109     (52

Interest Expense

        1,376        94        13   

Interest Expense on Advances from SEACOR

        23,410        21,437        20,328   

Income Tax Expense (Benefit)

        434        (4,301     2,883   
  

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

EBITDA

      $ 69,202      $ 56,833      $ 62,369   
  

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

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(4) The pro forma balance sheet as of December 31, 2011 gives effect to our cash payment of $42.6 million to SEACOR on February 9, 2012 to settle our advances activity with SEACOR from December 1, 2011 through our entry into a senior secured revolving credit facility on December 22, 2011, primarily consisting of capital expenditures on helicopters and partially offset by SEACOR’s purchase of our 2011 tax operating loss benefit of $18.2 million; and the              to              stock split of our outstanding Class B common stock in the initial public offering.
(5) The pro forma, as adjusted, balance sheet as of December 31, 2011 gives effect to:

 

   

our cash payment of $42.6 million to SEACOR on February 9, 2012 to settle our advance activity with SEACOR from December 1, 2011 through our entry into a senior secured revolving credit facility on December 22, 2011, primarily consisting of capital expenditures on helicopters and partially offset by SEACOR’s purchase of our 2011 tax operating loss benefit of $18.2 million and the              to              stock split of our outstanding Class B common stock in the initial public offering; and

 

   

the issuance of our Class A common stock in the initial public offering with the estimated net proceeds used to redeem $         million of our Series A preferred stock (assuming an initial public offering price of $         per share, the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover of this prospectus).

 

 

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RISK FACTORS

An investment in our Class A common stock involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the following risks, as well as the other information contained in this prospectus, before making an investment in our company. If any of the following risks actually occur, our business, results of operations or financial condition may be adversely affected. In such an event, the trading price of our Class A common stock could decline and you could lose part or all of your investment.

Risks Related to Our Business and Industry

Demand for many of our services is impacted by the level of activity in the offshore oil and gas exploration, development and production industry.

In 2011, approximately 55% of our operating revenues were generated by the provision of helicopter services to companies engaged in offshore oil and gas exploration, development and production activities, primarily in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico and Alaska. Demand for our services and our results of operations are significantly impacted by levels of activity in that region. These levels of activity have historically been volatile. This volatility is likely to continue in future periods. The level of offshore oil and natural gas exploration, development and production activity is not only likely to be volatile, but it is also subject to factors beyond our control, including:

 

   

general economic conditions;

 

   

prevailing oil and natural gas prices and expectations about future prices and price volatility;

 

   

assessments of offshore drilling prospects compared with land-based opportunities;

 

   

the cost of exploring for, producing and delivering oil and natural gas offshore;

 

   

worldwide demand for energy, petroleum products and chemical products;

 

   

availability and rate of discovery of new oil and natural gas reserves in offshore areas;

 

   

federal, state, local and international political conditions, and policies including cabotage, local content, exploration and development of oil and gas reserves;

 

   

technological advancements affecting exploration, development, energy production and consumption;

 

   

weather conditions;

 

   

environmental regulation;

 

   

regulation of drilling activities and the availability of drilling permits and concessions; and

 

   

the ability of oil and natural gas companies to generate or otherwise obtain funds for offshore oil and gas exploration, development and production.

We are in a cyclical business.

Our industry has historically been cyclical and is affected by the volatility of oil and gas price levels, fluctuations in government programs and spending and general economic conditions. Changes in commodity prices can have a significant effect on demand for our services, and periods of low activity intensify price competition in the industry and often result in our helicopters being idle for long periods of time. A prolonged significant downturn in oil and natural gas prices, or increased regulation containing onerous compliance requirements, are likely to cause a substantial decline in expenditures for exploration, development and production activity, which would result in a decline in demand and lower rates for our services. Similarly, the government agencies with which we do business could face budget cuts or limit spending, which would also result in a decline in demand and lower rates for our services. These changes could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

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We are highly dependent upon the level of activity in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico and Alaska, which are mature exploration and production regions.

In 2011, our operating revenues derived from helicopter services provided to clients primarily involved in oil and gas activities in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico and Alaska, represented approximately 46% and 9%, respectively. The U.S. Gulf of Mexico and Alaska are mature exploration and production regions that have undergone substantial seismic survey and exploration activity for many years. Because a large number of oil and gas properties in these regions have already been drilled, additional prospects of sufficient size and quality could be more difficult to identify. We believe that the production from these mature oil and gas properties is declining and that the future production may decline to the point that such properties are no longer economically viable to operate, in which case, our services with respect to such properties will no longer be needed. Oil and gas companies may not identify sufficient additional drilling sites to replace those that become depleted. If activity in oil and gas exploration, development and production in either the U.S. Gulf of Mexico or Alaska materially declines, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected. We cannot predict the levels of activity in these areas.

The helicopter industry is subject to intense competition.

The helicopter industry is highly competitive. In the United States, we face competition for business in the oil and gas industry from three major operators, Bristow Group Inc. (“Bristow”), PHI, Inc. and Rotorcraft Leasing Company LLC. We also face potential competition from customers that establish their own flight departments and smaller operators that can, with access to capital, expand their fleets and operate more sophisticated and costly equipment. In providing air medical transport services, we face competition from Air Methods Corporation and PHI, Inc. and many other operators. In our international markets, we face competition from local operators in countries where foreign regulations may require that contracts be awarded to local companies owned by nationals. We also face competition from operators that may have better recognized reputations in some of those markets. In addition, we compete with other providers of medical air transport, search and rescue, firefighting and flightseeing services, as well as leasing companies in various markets.

Chartering of helicopters usually involves an aggressive bidding process or intense negotiations. To qualify for work in most instances, an operator must have an acceptable safety record, demonstrated reliability, and the requisite equipment for the job, as well as sufficient resources to provide coverage when primary equipment comes out of service for maintenance. Companies that can satisfy these criteria and meet these needs are invited to bid for work. Customers typically make their final choice based on the best price available for the aircraft that is needed in the time frame that is mandated by their need. If we were unable to satisfy the criteria to participate in bids, we would be unable to compete effectively and our business, financial condition and results of operations would be materially and adversely affected.

Following this offering, we no longer expect to receive funds from SEACOR, which could adversely affect our ability to maintain our fleet and compete effectively in our markets.

Prior to our entry into a senior secured revolving credit facility on December 22, 2011, we participated in a cash management program whereby certain of our operating and capital expenditures, including funds for our investments in new helicopters, were funded through advances from SEACOR. We do not expect to receive additional advances from SEACOR and will depend on cash generated from our own operations or from equity or debt offerings and our new senior secured revolving credit facility, to fund our investments in our fleet, purchase new helicopters, fund our operations or joint ventures and make acquisitions or investments. If we are unable to generate sufficient cash from operations or obtain adequate financing on commercially reasonable terms, on a timely basis or at all, our ability to invest in our business or fund our business strategy may be limited and may materially and adversely affect our ability to compete effectively in our markets.

 

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Difficult economic and financial conditions could have a material adverse effect on us.

The financial results of our business are both directly and indirectly dependent upon economic conditions throughout the world, which in turn can be impacted by conditions in the global financial markets. These factors are outside our control and changes in circumstances are difficult to predict. Uncertainty about global economic conditions may lead businesses to postpone spending in response to tighter credit and reductions in income or asset values, which may lead many lenders and institutional investors to reduce, and in some cases, cease to provide funding to borrowers. Weak economic activity may lead government customers to cut back on services. Factors such as interest rates, availability of credit, inflation rates, economic uncertainty, changes in laws (including laws relating to taxation), trade barriers, commodity prices, currency exchange rates and controls, and national and international political circumstances (including wars, terrorist acts or security operations) could have a material adverse effect on our business and investments, which could reduce our revenues, profitability and value of our assets. These factors (including the failure of lenders participating in our new senior secured revolving credit facility to fulfill their commitments and obligations) may also adversely affect our liquidity and our financial condition, and the business, liquidity and financial condition of our customers. Adverse liquidity conditions for our customers could negatively impact their capital investment activity. In addition, periods of poor economic conditions could increase our ongoing exposure to credit risks on our accounts receivable balances. We have procedures that are designed to monitor and limit exposure to credit risk on our receivables; however, there can be no assurance that such procedures will effectively limit our credit risk and avoid losses. This could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

For example, a slowdown in economic activity could reduce worldwide demand for energy and result in an extended period of lower oil and natural gas prices. Demand for our services depends on oil and natural gas industry activity and expenditure levels that are directly affected by trends in oil and natural gas prices. A reduction in oil and natural gas prices could depress the activity levels of oil and gas companies, which in turn would reduce demand for our services. Perceptions of longer-term lower oil and natural gas prices by oil and gas companies can similarly further reduce or defer major expenditures given the long-term nature of many large-scale development projects. Lower levels of activity can result in a corresponding decline in the demand for our services, which could have a material adverse effect on our revenue and profitability. Unstable economic conditions or turmoil in financial markets may also increase the volatility of our stock price.

Failure to maintain an acceptable safety record may have an adverse impact on our ability to obtain and retain customers.

Our customers consider safety and reliability a primary concern in selecting a helicopter service provider. We must maintain a record of safety and reliability that is acceptable to, and in certain instances is contractually required by, our customers. In an effort to maintain an appropriate standard, we incur considerable costs to maintain the quality of (i) our safety program, (ii) our training programs and (iii) our fleet of helicopters. For example, we have implemented a safety program that includes, among many other features, (i) transition and recurrent training using flight training devices, (ii) an FAA approved flight operational quality assurance program and (iii) health and usage monitoring systems, otherwise known as HUMS, which automatically monitor and report on vibrations and other anomalies on key components of certain helicopters in our fleet. We cannot assure you that our safety program or our other efforts will provide an adequate level of safety or an acceptable safety record. If we are unable to maintain an acceptable safety record, we may not be able to retain existing customers or attract new customers, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We rely on relatively few customers for a significant share of our revenues, the loss of any of which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We derive a significant portion of revenues from a limited number of oil and gas exploration, development and production companies and government agencies. Specifically, services provided to Anadarko Petroleum

 

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Corporation, U.S. government agencies, primarily the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (“BSEE”), a division of the U.S. Department of the Interior, and Aeróleo accounted for 12%, 8% and 11% of our revenues, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2011. The portion of our revenues attributable to any single customer may change over time, depending on the level of activity by any such customer, our ability to meet the customer’s needs and other factors, many of which are beyond our control. In addition, most of our contracts with our customers can be cancelled on relatively short notice and do not commit our customers to acquire specific amounts of services. The loss of business from any of our significant customers could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our customers include U.S. government agencies that are dependent on budget appropriations, which may fluctuate and, as a result, limit their ability to use our services.

U.S. government agencies, primarily BSEE, are among our key customers and accounted for 8% of our revenues for the year ended December 31, 2011. Government agencies receive funding through budget appropriations, which are determined through the political process, and as a result, funding for the agencies with which we do business may fluctuate. Recently, there has been increased Congressional scrutiny of discretionary program spending by the U.S. government in light of concerns over the size of the National debt. In August 2011, Congress reached an agreement to raise the U.S. debt ceiling in order to avoid financial default of the U.S. government. This agreement requires the elimination of more than $2 trillion in federal spending over the next decade. Although the details of these spending cuts remain unclear, lawmakers have discussed the need to cut or impose caps on discretionary spending in coming years, which could mean budget cuts to federal agencies to which we provide services. If any of these agencies, particularly BSEE, experience reductions in their budgets or if they change their spending priorities, their ability or willingness to spend on helicopter operations may decline, and they may substantially reduce or cease using our services, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Consolidation of our customer base could adversely affect demand for our services and reduce our revenues.

Many of our customers are major integrated oil and gas companies or independent oil and gas exploration, development and production companies. In recent years, these companies have undergone substantial consolidation, and additional consolidation is possible. Consolidation results in fewer companies to charter or contract for our services, and in the event one of our customers combines with a company that is using the services of one of our competitors, the combined company could decide to use the services of that competitor or another provider. Also, merger activity among both major and independent oil and natural gas companies affects exploration, development and production activity as the consolidated companies initially put projects on hold while integrating operations. Consolidation may also result in an exploration and development budget for a combined company that is lower than the total budget of both companies before consolidation. Reductions in budgets could adversely affect demand for our services and our results of operations.

The implementation by our customers of cost-saving measures could reduce the demand for our services.

Oil and gas companies are continually seeking to implement measures aimed at cost savings. These measures can include efforts to improve efficiencies and reduce costs by reducing headcount or finding less expensive means for moving personnel offshore. Reducing headcount, changing rotations for personnel working offshore, therefore requiring fewer trips to and from installations, or using marine transport, are some, but not all of the possible initiatives that could result in reduced demand for our helicopter transport services. In addition, customers could establish their own helicopter operations or devise other transportation alternatives. The continued implementation of these kinds of measures could reduce the demand for helicopter services provided by independent operators like us, and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

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Operational risks including, but not limited to, equipment failure and negligence could adversely impact our results of operations and in some instances, expose us to liability.

The operation of helicopters is subject to various risks, including catastrophic disasters, crashes, adverse weather conditions, mechanical failures and collisions, which may result in loss of life, personal injury and/or damage to property and equipment. Our helicopters have been involved in accidents in the past, some of which included loss of life, personal injury and property damage. Certain models of helicopters that we operate have also experienced incidents while operated by third parties. We, or third parties operating our helicopters, may experience accidents in the future. These risks could endanger the safety of both our own and our customers’ personnel, equipment, cargo and other property, as well as the environment. If any of these events were to occur with equipment that we operate or contract-lease to third parties, we could be held liable for the resulting damages, and also experience loss of revenues, termination of charter contracts, higher insurance rates, and damage to our reputation and customer relationships. If other operators experience incidents with helicopter models that we also operate or contract-lease, obligating us to take such helicopters out of service until the cause of the incidents is rectified, we would lose revenue and might lose customers. In addition, safety issues experienced by a particular model of helicopter could result in customers refusing to use a particular helicopter model or a regulatory body grounding that particular helicopter model. The value of the helicopter model might also be permanently reduced in the market if the model were to be considered less desirable for future service.

Weather and seasonality can impact our results of operations.

A significant portion of our revenues is dependent on actual flight hours. Prolonged periods of adverse weather and storms can adversely impact our operations and flight hours. The fall and winter months generally have more days of adverse weather conditions than the other months of the year, with poor visibility, high winds, and heavy precipitation in some areas. While some of our helicopters are equipped to fly at night, we generally do not do so. Operations servicing offshore oil and gas transport of passengers, and also other non-emergency operations, are generally conducted during daylight hours. During winter months there are fewer daylight hours, particularly in Alaska. Flight hours, and therefore revenues, tend to decline in the winter. In addition, oil and gas exploration activity in Alaska decreases during the winter months due to the harsh weather conditions. Our operations in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico may also be adversely affected by weather. Tropical storm season runs from June through November. Tropical storms and hurricanes limit our ability to operate our helicopters in the proximity of a storm, reduce oil and gas exploration, development and production activity, add expenses to secure equipment and facilities and require us to move assets out of the path of a storm. Despite our efforts to plan for storms and secure our equipment, we may suffer damage to our helicopters or our facilities, thereby reducing our ability to provide our services. In addition, these factors also result in seasonal impacts on our business and results of operations.

Our operations depend on facilities we use throughout the world. These facilities are subject to physical and other risks that could disrupt production.

Our facilities could be damaged or our operations could be disrupted by a natural disaster, labor strike, war, political unrest, terrorist activity or a pandemic. We operate numerous bases in and along the U.S. Gulf of Mexico and we are particularly exposed to risk of loss or damage from hurricanes in that region. In addition, our operations in Alaska (including our fixed based operation (“FBO”) business at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport) are at risk from earthquake activity. In particular, we have fuel tanks at our FBO facility with approximately 200,000 gallons of fuel storage capacity, all of which could be substantially damaged or compromised due to an earthquake. Although we have obtained property damage insurance, a major catastrophe such as a hurricane, earthquake or other natural disaster at any of our sites, or significant labor strikes, work stoppages, political unrest, war or terrorist activities in any of the areas where we conduct operations, could result in a prolonged interruption or stoppage of our business or material sub-parts of it. Any disruption resulting from these events could cause the loss of sales and customers. Our insurance may not adequately compensate us for any of these events.

 

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A shortfall in availability of raw materials, components, parts and subsystems required for the repair and maintenance of our helicopters could adversely affect us, as would cost increases imposed by suppliers if they cannot be passed on to customers or if our equipment has been committed to contracts without coverage for escalating expenses.

In connection with the required routine repairs and maintenance that we perform or are performed by others on our helicopters, we rely on seven key vendors (Agusta Aerospace Corporation, Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, American Eurocopter Corp., Bell Helicopter Textron Inc., Pratt and Whitney Canada, Turbomea USA, Inc. and Honeywell International), for the supply and overhaul of components on our helicopters. Those vendors have historically been the manufacturers of these components and parts, and their factories tend to work at or near full capacity supporting the helicopter production lines for new equipment. This leaves little capacity for the production of parts requirements for maintenance of our helicopters. The tight production schedules, as well as new regulatory requirements, the availability of raw materials or commodities, or the need to upgrade parts or product recalls can add to backlogs, resulting in key parts being in limited supply or available on an allocation basis. To the extent that these suppliers also supply parts for helicopters used by the U.S. military, parts delivery for our helicopters may be delayed during periods in which there are high levels of military operations. Any shortages could have an adverse impact on our ability to repair and maintain our helicopters. Our inability to perform timely repair and maintenance could result in our helicopters being underutilized, which could have an adverse impact on our results of operations. Furthermore, our operations in remote locations, where delivery of these components and parts could take a significant period of time, may also impact our ability to repair and maintain our helicopters. Although every effort is made to mitigate such impact, this may pose a risk to our results of operations. In addition, supplier cost increases for critical helicopter components and parts can also adversely impact our results of operations. Cost increases are passed through to our customers through rate increases where possible, including as a component of contract escalation charges. However, as certain of our contracts are long-term in nature and may not have escalation or escalation may be tied to an index, which may not increase as rapidly as the cost of parts, we may see our margins erode. As many of our helicopters are manufactured by two European based companies the cost of spare parts could be impacted by changes in currency exchange rates.

Consolidation in the helicopter parts industry could affect the service and operation of our helicopters.

We rely on a limited number of helicopter parts suppliers and distributors to provide spare parts for our helicopters. A reduction in the number of helicopter parts suppliers could interrupt or delay the supply of helicopter components, adversely affecting our ability to meet service commitments to our customers and could cause us to lose opportunities with existing and new customers. We might not be able to qualify or identify alternative suppliers in a timely fashion, or at all. Consolidations involving suppliers could further reduce the number of alternative suppliers for us and increase the cost of components. An increase in our cost of components could make us less competitive, result in lower margins and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our future growth may be impacted by our ability to expand into markets outside of the U.S. Gulf of Mexico and Alaska.

Our future growth will depend on our ability to expand into markets outside of the United States. Expansion of our business depends on our ability to operate in these other regions.

Expansion of our business outside of the U.S. Gulf of Mexico and Alaska may be adversely affected by:

 

   

local regulations restricting foreign ownership of helicopter operators;

 

   

requirements to award contracts to local operators; and

 

   

the number and location of new drilling concessions granted by foreign governments.

 

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We cannot predict the restrictions or requirements that may be imposed in the countries in which we operate or wish to operate. If we are unable to continue to operate or obtain and retain contracts in markets outside of the U.S. Gulf of Mexico and Alaska, our future business, financial condition and results of operations may be adversely affected, and our operations outside of the U.S. Gulf of Mexico and Alaska may not grow.

Our operations in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico were adversely impacted by the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig incident and resulting oil spill, and may be adversely impacted by proposed legislation and resulting litigation in response to that incident.

On April 22, 2010, the Deepwater Horizon, a semi-submersible deepwater drilling rig operating in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, sank after an apparent blowout and fire resulting in a significant flow of hydrocarbons from the BP Macondo well. On May 28, 2010, the U.S. Department of Interior imposed a six-month moratorium on offshore deepwater drilling operations, the enforcement of which was preliminarily enjoined, and on July 12, 2010, the U.S. Department of Interior imposed another similar moratorium, which was set to expire November 30, 2010. As a result, deepwater drilling operations in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico were suspended and a number of drilling rigs moved to other markets. On October 12, 2010, the U.S. Department of Interior lifted the moratorium on deepwater drilling. However, the U.S. Department of Interior has issued only a small number of permits related to the drilling of new exploratory wells in the deepwater of the U.S. Gulf of Mexico following the lifting of the moratorium. It is not possible to estimate whether or when drilling operations in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico will return to activity levels comparable to those of years prior to the incident and the resulting moratorium, due to uncertainties surrounding the timing of the issuance of drilling permits, new regulations related to drilling operations, litigation associated with the issuance of permits and the availability of rigs suitable for drilling prospects in this region.

In addition, our operations in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, which, along with those of certain of our customers, may be adversely impacted by, among other factors:

 

   

the additional safety and certification requirements for drilling activities required for the approval of development and production activities and the delayed approval of applications to drill in both deep and shallow-water areas;

 

   

the suspension, stoppage or termination by customers of existing contracts and the demand by customers for new or renewed contracts in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico and other affected regions;

 

   

unplanned customer suspensions, cancellations, rate reductions, non-renewals of commitments to charter aviation equipment or failures to finalize commitments to charter aviation equipment;

 

   

new or additional government regulations and laws concerning drilling operations in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico and other regions;

 

   

the cost or availability of relevant insurance coverage; and

 

   

adverse weather conditions and natural disasters including, but not limited to, hurricanes and tropical storms.

Any one or a combination of these factors could reduce revenues, increase operating costs and have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Increased fuel costs may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Fuel is essential to the operation of our helicopters and to our ability to carry out our transport services and is a key component of our operating expenses. The high cost of fuel can increase the cost of operating our helicopters. Any increased fuel costs may negatively impact our net sales, margins, operating expenses and results of operations. Although we have been able to pass along a significant portion of increased fuel costs to

 

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our customers in the past, we cannot assure you that we can do so again if another prolonged period of high fuel costs occurs. In recent months, fuel costs have increased, and remained higher than historical levels, as a result of, among other things, political turmoil in the Middle East and North Africa. If fuel costs continue to increase in the future or remain at relatively high levels, we may experience difficulties in passing all or a portion of these costs along to our customers, which may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our contracts generally can be terminated or downsized by our customers without penalty.

Many of our operating contracts and charter arrangements in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico and Alaska contain provisions permitting early termination by the customer for any reason, generally without penalty, and with limited notice requirements. This is also true for a number of our international contracts. In addition, many of our contracts permit our customers to decrease the number of helicopters under contract with a corresponding decrease in the fixed monthly payments without penalty. As a result, you should not place undue reliance on our customer contracts or the terms of those contracts. The termination of contracts by our significant customers or the decrease in their usage of our helicopter services could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We may not be able to obtain work on acceptable terms covering some of our new helicopters, and some of our new helicopters may replace existing helicopters already under contract, which could adversely affect the utilization of our existing fleet.

As of December 31, 2011, we had placed orders for twelve new helicopters, seven of which are scheduled to be delivered through 2012. Delivery dates for the remaining five helicopters have yet to be determined. Many of our new helicopters may not be covered by customer contracts when they are placed into service, and we cannot assure you as to when we will be able to utilize these new helicopters or on what terms. To the extent our helicopters are covered by a customer contract, many of these contracts are short-term, requiring us to seek renewals frequently. We also expect that some of our customers may request new helicopters in lieu of our existing helicopters, which could adversely affect the utilization of our existing fleet.

In order to grow our business, we may require additional capital in the future, which may not be available to us.

Our business is capital intensive, and to the extent we do not generate sufficient cash from operations, we will need to raise additional funds through public or private debt or equity financings to execute our growth strategy. Adequate sources of capital funding may not be available when needed, or may not be available on favorable terms. If we raise additional funds by issuing equity or certain types of convertible debt securities, dilution to the holdings of our existing stockholders may result. If we raise additional debt financing, we will incur additional interest expense and the terms of such debt may be at less favorable rates than existing debt and could require the pledge of assets as security or financial and/or operating covenants that affect our ability to conduct our business. If funding is insufficient at any time in the future, we may be unable to acquire additional helicopters, take advantage of business opportunities or respond to competitive pressures, any of which could harm our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our dependence on a small number of helicopter manufacturers poses a significant risk to our business and prospects, including our ability to execute our growth strategy.

Although our fleet includes equipment from all four of the major helicopter manufacturers, our current fleet expansion and replacement needs rely on contracts with two manufacturers. If any of the manufacturers with whom we contract face production delays due to, for example, natural disasters, labor strikes or unavailability of skilled labor, we may experience a significant delay in the delivery of previously ordered helicopters. During these periods, we may not be able to obtain additional helicopters with acceptable pricing, delivery dates or other

 

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terms. Delivery delays or our inability to obtain acceptable helicopters would adversely affect our revenue and profitability and could jeopardize our ability to meet the demands of our customers and execute our growth strategy. In addition, lack of availability of new helicopters resulting from a backlog in orders could result in an increase in prices for certain types of used helicopters. Furthermore, regulatory authorities may require us to temporarily or permanently remove certain helicopter models from service following certain incidents such as crashes or accidents.

Our dependence on a small number of vendors of spare parts poses a significant risk to our business and prospects, including our ability to maintain our existing fleet.

We rely on a few key vendors for the supply and overhaul of components fitted to our aircraft. To the extent that these suppliers also supply parts for aircraft used by the U.S. military, parts delivery for our aircraft may be delayed during periods in which there are high levels of military operations. In addition, to the extent that certain parts are subject to recalls, are the potential cause of an accident or are otherwise determined to be unsafe, delivery of replacement parts for our aircraft may be delayed while demand by the industry as a whole is satisfied. Such conditions can result in backlogs in manufacturing schedules and some parts being in limited supply from time to time, which could have an adverse impact upon our ability to maintain and repair our aircraft. Our inability to perform timely maintenance and repairs may result in our aircraft being underutilized, which could have an adverse impact on our operating results.

Adverse results of legal proceedings could have a material adverse effect on us.

We are subject to, and may in the future be subject to, a variety of legal proceedings and claims that arise out of the ordinary conduct of our business. Results of legal proceedings cannot be predicted with certainty. Irrespective of their merits, legal proceedings may be both lengthy and disruptive to our operations and may cause significant expenditure and diversion of management attention. We may be faced with significant monetary damages or injunctive relief against us that could have a material adverse effect on a portion of our business operations or a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

We may undertake one or more significant corporate transactions that may not achieve their intended results, may adversely affect our financial condition and our results of operations or result in unforeseeable risks to our business.

We continuously evaluate the acquisition of operating businesses and assets and may in the future undertake one or more significant transactions. Any such transaction could be material to our business and could take any number of forms, including mergers, joint ventures and the purchase of equity interests. The consideration for such transactions may include, among other things, cash, common stock or equity interests in us or our subsidiaries, or a contribution of equipment to obtain equity interests, and in conjunction with a transaction we might incur additional indebtedness. We also routinely evaluate the benefits of disposing certain of our assets. Such dispositions could take the form of asset sales, mergers or sales of equity interests.

These transactions may present significant risks such as insufficient revenue to offset liabilities assumed, potential loss of significant revenues and income streams, increased or unexpected expenses, inadequate return of capital, regulatory or compliance issues, the triggering of certain covenants in our debt instruments (including accelerated repayment) and unidentified issues not discovered in due diligence. In addition, such transactions could distract management from current operations. As a result of the risks inherent in such transactions, we cannot guarantee that any such transaction will ultimately result in the realization of its anticipated benefits or that it will not have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition or results of operations. If we were to complete such an acquisition, disposition, investment or other strategic transaction, we may require additional debt or equity financing that could result in a significant increase in our amount of debt or the number of outstanding shares of our common stock.

 

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We are subject to risks associated with our international operations.

We operate and contract-lease helicopters in international markets. During the year ended December 31, 2011, approximately 28% of our operating revenues resulted from our international operations. We expect to increase our international operations in the future. Our international operations are subject to a number of risks, including:

 

   

political conditions and events, including embargoes;

 

   

restrictive actions by U.S. and foreign governments, including in Brazil, India, Indonesia, Sweden and Spain, that could limit our ability to provide services in those countries;

 

   

the imposition of withholding or other taxes on foreign income, tariffs or restrictions on foreign trade and investment;

 

   

adverse tax consequences;

 

   

limitations on repatriation of earnings or currency exchange controls and import/export quotas;

 

   

nationalization, expropriation, asset seizure, blockades and blacklisting;

 

   

limitations in the availability, amount or terms, of insurance coverage;

 

   

loss of contract rights and inability to adequately enforce contracts;

 

   

political instability, war and civil disturbances or other risks that may limit or disrupt markets, such as terrorist attacks, piracy and kidnapping;

 

   

fluctuations in currency exchange rates, hard currency shortages and controls on currency exchange that affect demand for our services and our profitability;

 

   

potential noncompliance with a wide variety of laws and regulations, such as the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 (the “FCPA”), and similar non-U.S. laws and regulations, including the U.K. Bribery Act 2010 (the “UKBA”);

 

   

labor strikes;

 

   

changes in general economic and political conditions;

 

   

adverse changes in foreign laws or regulatory requirements, including those with respect to flight operations and environmental protections; and

 

   

difficulty in staffing and managing widespread operations.

If we are unable to adequately address these risks, we could lose our ability to operate in certain international markets and our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.

There are risks associated with our debt structure.

As of December 31, 2011, we had approximately $252.0 million of borrowings outstanding under our $350.0 million senior secured revolving credit facility, which expires in December 2016. On February 29, 2012 we drew an additional $15.0 million under this facility. The agreements governing the senior secured revolving credit facility contain various covenants that limit our ability to, among other things:

 

   

make investments;

 

   

incur or guarantee additional indebtedness;

 

   

incur liens or pledge the assets of certain of our subsidiaries;

 

   

pay dividends;

 

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enter into transactions with affiliates; and

 

   

enter into certain sales of all or substantially all of our assets, mergers and consolidations.

See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility.”

Our ability to meet our debt service obligations is dependent upon our results of operations, which are subject to general economic conditions, industry cycles, seasonality and other factors, some of which may be beyond our control. Our debt levels and the terms of our indebtedness may limit our liquidity and our ability to obtain additional financing and pursue acquisitions and joint ventures or purchase new helicopters. Tight credit conditions could limit our ability to secure additional financing, if required, due to difficulties accessing the credit and capital markets.

Our global operations are subject to foreign currency, interest rate, fixed-income, equity and commodity price risks.

We are exposed to currency fluctuations and exchange rate risks. We purchase some of our helicopters and helicopter parts from foreign manufacturers and maintain operations in foreign countries, which results in portions of our revenues and expenses being denominated in foreign currencies. We attempt to minimize our exposure to currency exchange risk by contracting the majority of our services in U.S. dollars. As a result, a strong U.S. dollar may increase the local cost of our services that are provided under the U.S. dollar denominated contracts, which may reduce demand for our services in foreign countries. Some of these risks may be hedged, but fluctuations could impact our financial condition and our results of operations. Our financial condition and our results of operations may also be affected by the cost of hedging activities that we undertake to protect against currency exchange risk. We operate in countries with foreign exchange controls, including Brazil and India. These controls may limit our ability to repatriate funds from our unconsolidated foreign affiliates or otherwise convert local currencies into U.S. dollars. These limitations could adversely affect our ability to access cash from these operations and our liquidity.

We are subject to governmental regulation that limits foreign ownership of aircraft companies.

We are subject to governmental regulation that limits foreign ownership of aircraft companies. Failure to comply with regulations and requirements for citizen ownership in the various markets in which we operate and may operate in the future, may subject our helicopters to deregistration or impoundment. If required levels of citizen ownership are not met or maintained, joint ventures in which we have significant investments also could be prohibited from operating within these countries. Deregistration of our helicopters or helicopters operated by our joint venture partners for any reason, including foreign ownership in excess of permitted levels, would have a material adverse effect on our ability to conduct operations within these markets. We cannot assure you that there will be no changes in aviation laws, regulations, required levels of citizen ownership, or administrative requirements or the interpretations thereof, that could restrict or prohibit our ability to operate in certain regions. Any such restriction or prohibition on our ability to operate may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

We limit foreign ownership of our company, which could reduce the price of our common stock and cause owners of our common stock who are not U.S. persons to lose their voting rights.

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that persons or entities that are not “citizens of the United States” (as defined in the Federal Aviation Act of 1958) shall not collectively own or control more than 24.9% of the voting power of our outstanding capital stock (the “Permitted Foreign Ownership Percentage”) and that, if at any time persons that are not citizens of the United States nevertheless collectively own or control more than the Permitted Foreign Ownership Percentage, the voting rights of our outstanding voting capital stock in excess of the Permitted Foreign Ownership Percentage owned by stockholders who are not citizens of the United States shall automatically be reduced. These voting rights will be reduced pro rata among the holders of voting shares who are not citizens of the United States to equal to the Permitted Foreign Ownership Percentage based on the number of votes to which the underlying voting securities are entitled. Shares held by persons who

 

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are not citizens of the United States may lose their associated voting rights and be redeemed as a result of these provisions. These restrictions may also have a material adverse impact on the liquidity or market value of our common stock because holders may be unable to transfer our common stock to persons who are not citizens of the United States.

If we do not restrict the amount of foreign ownership of our common stock, we may fail to remain a U.S. citizen, might lose our status as a U.S. air carrier and be prohibited from operating helicopters in the United States, which would adversely impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Since we hold the status of a U.S. air carrier under the regulations of both the United States Department of Transportation (“DOT”) and the FAA and we engage in the operating and contract-leasing of helicopters in the United States, we are subject to regulations pursuant to Title 49 of the Transportation Code (“Transportation Code”) and other statutes (“Aviation Acts”). The Transportation Code requires that Certificates to engage in air transportation be held only by citizens of the United States as that term is defined in the relevant section of the Transportation Code. That section requires: (i) that our president and two-thirds of our Board of Directors and other managing officers be U.S. citizens; (ii) that at least 75% of our outstanding voting stock be owned by U.S. citizens; and (iii) that we must be under the actual control of U.S. citizens. Further, our helicopters operating in the United States must generally be registered in the United States. In order to register such helicopters under the Aviation Acts, we must be owned or controlled by U.S. citizens. Although our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws contain provisions intended to ensure compliance with the provisions of the Aviation Acts, a failure to maintain compliance would result in loss of our air carrier status and thereby adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations and we would be prohibited from both operating as an aircraft carrier and operating helicopters in the United States during any period in which we did not comply with these regulations.

The Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, as amended, provides the federal government with broad discretion in regulating the leasing of offshore resources for the production of oil and gas.

We currently derive a significant portion of our revenues from helicopter services we provide in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico for the purposes of offshore oil and gas exploration, development and production. As such, we are subject to the U.S. government’s exercise of authority under the provisions of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act that restrict the availability of offshore oil and gas leases by requiring lease conditions such as the implementation of safety and environmental protections, the preparation of spill contingency plans and air quality standards for certain pollutants, the violations of which could result in potential court injunctions curtailing operations and lease cancellations and by requiring that all pipelines operating on or across the outer continental shelf provide open and nondiscriminatory access to shippers. These provisions could adversely impact exploration and production activity in these regions. If activity in oil and gas exploration, development and production in these regions declines, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.

Helicopter operations involve risks that may result in death or injury to personnel, damage to equipment and loss of operating revenues. These risks may not be covered by our insurance or our insurance may be inadequate to protect us from the liabilities that could arise.

The operation of helicopters inherently involves a degree of risk. Hazards include adverse weather conditions, collisions, fire and mechanical failures, which may result in death or injury to personnel, damage to equipment, loss of operating revenues, contamination of cargo, pollution and other environmental damages and increased costs. On October 29, 2011, a Eurocopter AS350 light single engine helicopter owned and operated by our subsidiary Era Helicopters LLC crashed in Alaska. The pilot, who was the only occupant, died in the accident. The National Transportation Safety Board and other regulatory agencies are investigating the cause and other aspects of the accident. No assurance can be given as to the findings of such investigations or the effects the accident may have on our operations.

 

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We also are exposed to liabilities including aviation malfunctions and crashes, FAA and foreign aviation regulation compliance, including grounding certain aircraft, and environmental compliance. We also may be adversely affected by accidents involving aircraft that we do not own or operate, particularly if they involve the same model of aircraft as in our fleet. Under those circumstances, our aircraft may be grounded or otherwise unavailable for use pending the resolution of recalls or required maintenance.

We carry insurance, including hull and liability, liability and war risk, general liability, workers’ compensation, and other insurance customary in the industry in which we operate. We also conduct training and safety programs to promote a safe working environment and minimize hazards. Our insurance coverage is subject to deductibles and maximum coverage amounts. Our insurance policies are also subject to compliance with certain conditions, the failure of which could lead to a denial of coverage as to a particular claim or the voiding of a particular insurance policy. The amount of insurance coverage we are able to maintain may be inadequate to cover all potential liabilities or the total amount of insured claims and liabilities. We cannot assure you that our existing insurance coverage can be renewed at commercially reasonable rates nor is it possible to obtain insurance to protect against all of our operations risks and liabilities. Any material liability not covered by insurance or for which third-party indemnification is not available, would have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and/or cash flows.

We are subject to tax and other legal compliance risks, including anti-corruption statutes, the violation of which may adversely affect our business and operations.

As a global business, we are subject to complex laws and regulations in the United States and other countries in which we operate. Changes in laws or regulations and related interpretations and other guidance could result in higher expenses and payments. Uncertainty relating to such laws or regulations may also affect how we conduct our operations and structure our investments and could limit our ability to enforce our rights.

In order to compete effectively in certain foreign jurisdictions, we seek to establish joint ventures with local operators or strategic partners. We are subject to a variety of tax and legal compliance risks. These risks include, among other things, possible liability relating to taxes and compliance with U.S. and foreign export laws, competition laws and regulations, including the FCPA and the UKBA. The FCPA generally prohibits U.S. companies and their intermediaries from making improper payments to foreign officials for the purpose of obtaining or maintaining business. The UKBA has similar provisions. We could be charged with wrongdoing for any of these matters as a result of our actions or the actions of our agents, local partners or joint ventures, even though these parties may not be subject to such statutes. If convicted or found liable of tax or other legal infractions, or if we have been determined to be in violation of the FCPA, we could be subject to significant fines, penalties, repayments, other damages (in certain cases, treble damages), or suspension or debarment from government contracts, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. We are also subject to laws in the United States and outside of the United States regulating competition.

Independently, failure of us or one of our joint ventures or strategic partners to comply with applicable export and trade practice laws could result in civil or criminal penalties and suspension or termination of export privileges.

Negative publicity may adversely impact us.

Media coverage and public statements that insinuate improper actions by us or relate to accidents or other issues involving the safety of our helicopters or operations, regardless of their factual accuracy or truthfulness, may result in negative publicity, litigation or governmental investigations by regulators. Addressing negative publicity and any resulting litigation or investigations may distract management, increase costs and divert resources. Negative publicity may have an adverse impact on our reputation, our customer relationships and the morale of our employees, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

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Our inability to attract and retain qualified personnel could have an adverse effect on our business.

Attracting and retaining qualified pilots, mechanics and other highly skilled personnel is an important factor in our future success. Our inability to attract and retain qualified personnel could have an adverse effect on our business and our growth strategy. Many of our customers require pilots with very high levels of flight experience. In addition, the maintenance of our helicopters requires mechanics that are trained and experienced in servicing particular makes and models of helicopters. The market for these highly skilled personnel is competitive and we cannot be certain that we will be successful in attracting and retaining qualified personnel in the future. In addition, if we enter into new markets or obtain additional customer contracts or the demand for our services increases, we may be required to hire additional pilots, mechanics and other flight-related personnel, which we may not be able to do on a timely or cost-effective basis.

If our employees were to unionize, our operating costs could increase.

Our employees are not currently represented by a collective bargaining agreement. However, we have no assurances that our employees will not unionize in the future. This could increase our operating costs, force us to alter our operating methods and/or have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.

Environmental regulations and liabilities, including new or developing regulations, may increase our costs of operations and adversely affect us.

Liabilities associated with environmental matters could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Our operations are subject to U.S. federal, state and local and foreign environmental laws and regulations that impose limitations on the discharge of pollutants into the environment and establish standards for the treatment, storage, recycling and disposal of toxic and hazardous wastes. The nature of the business of operating and maintaining helicopters requires that we use, store, and dispose of materials that are subject to environmental regulation. In addition, our customers in the oil and gas exploration, development and production industry are affected by environmental laws and regulations that restrict their activities and may result in reduced demand for our services. Environmental laws and regulations change frequently, which makes it difficult to predict their cost or impact on our results of operations. We could also be exposed to strict, joint and several liability for cleanup costs, natural resource damages and other damages as a result of our conduct that was lawful at the time it occurred or the conduct of, or conditions caused by, prior operators or third parties.

Any failure by us to comply with any environmental laws and regulations may result in administrative, civil or criminal sanctions, revocation or denial of permits or other authorizations, imposition of limitations on our operations, and site investigatory, remedial or other corrective actions.

In recent years, governments have increasingly focused on climate change, carbon emissions, and energy use. Regulations that curb the use of energy, or require using renewable fuels or renewable sources of energy—such as wind or solar power—could result in a reduction in demand for hydrocarbon-based fuels such as oil and natural gas. In addition, governments could pass laws, regulations or taxes that increase the cost of fuel, thereby impacting both demand for our services and also our cost of operations. Such initiatives could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our FBO in Alaska is subject to extensive government regulation and other cost-related risks that could disrupt operations.

Our FBO in Alaska is subject to oversight by the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, is dependent upon that airport being “open for business” and is subject to federal regulatory requirements by the FAA, the Transportation Security Administration (the “TSA”) and other agencies. If the FAA, TSA or other agencies were to impose significant operating restrictions or increase insurance obligations such that insurance could not be obtained or purchased for a reasonable cost, or if any federal regulatory requirement were to require significant

 

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expenditure, the market for services from our FBO could be significantly impaired or entirely eliminated. In addition, the biggest revenue producing activity at our FBO, fuel sales to transient customers, could be adversely impacted by increases in fuel prices, the ability of our competitors to undercut our pricing, restrictions on private air travel and/or taxes on fuel or aircraft, any of which could make private air travel prohibitively expensive. Should the FBO’s operations be restricted or shut down, whether due to regulatory issues, the weather, a natural disaster, terrorist activity, or any other reason, our operations could be adversely impacted.

Risks Related to Our Relationship with SEACOR

Following consummation of this offering, we will continue to be dependent on SEACOR to provide us with many key services for our business.

Historically, our business has been conducted as a segment of SEACOR, and many key services required by us for the operation of our business are currently provided by SEACOR and its subsidiaries, including services related to internal controls and external financial reporting. We entered into a transition services agreement with SEACOR on December 30, 2011 and intend to enter into a tax sharing agreement with SEACOR related to the separation of our business operations from SEACOR. Under the terms of the transition services agreement, SEACOR provides us with many key services, including services related to internal controls and financial reporting. We expect these services to be provided for varying durations. Other agreements, such as the tax sharing agreement, also govern the relationship with SEACOR and provide for the allocation of liabilities and obligations attributable or related to periods or events prior to this offering. We negotiated these agreements with SEACOR in the context of a parent-subsidiary relationship. Although SEACOR is contractually obligated to provide us with services during the terms of the agreements, we cannot assure you that these services will be performed as efficiently or proficiently after the expiration of those agreements, or that we will be able to replace these services in a timely manner or on comparable terms. They also contain provisions that may be more favorable than terms and provisions we might have obtained in arm’s-length negotiations with unaffiliated third parties. When SEACOR ceases to provide services pursuant to those agreements, our costs of procuring those services from third parties may increase. In addition, we may not be able to replace these services or enter into appropriate third-party agreements on terms and conditions, including cost, comparable to those under the transition services agreement. Although we intend to replace some of the services that will be provided by SEACOR under the transition services agreement, we may encounter difficulties replacing certain services or be unable to negotiate pricing or other terms as favorable as those we currently have in effect. To the extent that we may require additional support from SEACOR not addressed in the transition services agreement, we intend to negotiate the terms of receiving such corporate support in future agreements. See “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Relationship with SEACOR” and “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Agreements with SEACOR.”

We may not be able to resolve favorably conflicts of interest that arise in the future between SEACOR and us with respect to our past and ongoing relationships.

We may have potential business conflicts of interest with SEACOR regarding our past and ongoing relationships, and, because of SEACOR’s controlling ownership interest in us, the resolution of these conflicts may not be favorable to us.

While none currently exist, conflicts of interest may arise between SEACOR and us in a number of areas relating to our past and ongoing relationships, including:

 

   

labor, tax, employee benefit, indemnification and other similar matters;

 

   

intellectual property matters;

 

   

employee recruiting and retention;

 

   

sales or distributions by SEACOR of all or any portion of its ownership interest in us, which could be to one of our competitors;

 

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business combinations involving us; and

 

   

business opportunities that may be attractive to both SEACOR and us.

We may not be able to resolve any potential conflicts, and, even if we do so, the resolution may be less favorable to us than if we were dealing with an unaffiliated party and could have a material effect on our business, financial condition and results of operation. In addition, the agreements that we will enter into with SEACOR may be amended upon agreement between the parties. Although we are controlled by SEACOR, we may not have the leverage to negotiate amendments to these agreements, if required, on terms as favorable to us as those we would negotiate with an unaffiliated third party.

As long as we are controlled by SEACOR, our ability to influence the outcome of matters requiring stockholder approval will be limited.

Following consummation of this offering, SEACOR will own all of the issued and outstanding shares of our Class B common stock. The rights of the holders of our Class A common stock and our Class B common stock are substantially identical, except with respect to voting and conversion. The holders of our Class B common stock are entitled to eight votes per share and are convertible into shares of our Class A common stock. The holders of our Class A common stock are entitled to one vote per share and are not convertible. Accordingly, SEACOR will hold approximately     % of the combined voting power of our outstanding common stock upon completion of this offering (     % if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional shares of Class A common stock). In addition, prior to this offering SEACOR owns all outstanding shares of our Series A preferred stock, which is convertible into shares of our Class B common stock. We intend to use the proceeds of this offering to redeem our Series A preferred stock at the applicable conversion rate of 4.375 shares of Class B common stock for each share of Series A preferred stock. Following this offering, we expect to have              shares of our Series A preferred stock outstanding.

As long as SEACOR has voting control of our company, SEACOR will have the ability to take many stockholder actions, including the election or removal of directors, irrespective of the vote of, and without prior notice to, any other stockholder. As a result, SEACOR will have the ability to influence or control all matters affecting us, including:

 

   

the composition of our Board of Directors and, through our Board of Directors, decision-making with respect to our business direction and policies, including the appointment and removal of our officers;

 

   

amendments to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation;

 

   

any determinations with respect to acquisitions of businesses, mergers, or other business combinations;

 

   

our acquisition or disposition of assets;

 

   

our capital structure;

 

   

changes to the agreements relating to our separation from SEACOR;

 

   

our payment or non-payment of dividends on our common stock; and

 

   

determinations with respect to our tax returns.

SEACOR’s interests may not be the same as, or may conflict with, the interests of our other stockholders. As a result, actions that SEACOR takes with respect to us, as our controlling stockholder, may not be favorable to our other stockholders. In addition, this voting control may discourage transactions involving a change of control of our company, including transactions in which you, as a holder of our Class A common stock, might otherwise receive a premium for your shares over the then-current market price. Furthermore, after the expiration of the 180-day lock-up period described in “Underwriting”, SEACOR generally has the right at any time to spin-off or split-off our common stock that it owns or to sell a controlling interest in us to a third party, in either case without your approval and without providing for a purchase of your shares. See “Shares Eligible for Future Sale.” SEACOR has advised us that it has not made a decision whether to effect any such transaction.

 

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All of our directors are executive officers of SEACOR and own common stock and other equity instruments of SEACOR, which could cause conflicts of interests.

Our five current directors, including our President and Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, are executive officers of SEACOR. In addition, our two director nominees currently are directors of SEACOR. Our current directors, our President and Chief Executive Officer, our Chief Financial Officer, our director nominees and a number of our other officers own a substantial amount of SEACOR common stock along with other equity instruments, the value of which is related to the value of common stock of SEACOR. The direct and indirect interests of our directors and certain executive officers in common stock of SEACOR and the presence of executive officers of SEACOR on our board of directors and serving as our President and Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer could create, or appear to create, conflicts of interest with respect to matters involving both us and SEACOR that could have different implications for SEACOR than they do for us. As a result, we may be precluded from pursuing certain opportunities on which we would otherwise act, including growth opportunities.

Under certain circumstances we could be liable for payments to SEACOR related to income taxes owed by SEACOR and, if SEACOR retains ownership of at least 80% of the total voting power and value of our stock, we may not have complete control over our tax decisions and we also could be liable for income taxes owed by SEACOR.

Pursuant to the terms of the tax sharing agreement between us and SEACOR, we may be required to make payments to SEACOR in respect of taxes owed by SEACOR for periods prior to this offering. For example, if the amounts of our net operating losses for taxable periods ending on or before the completion of this offering are reduced by the Internal Revenue Service as a result of an audit, we would be required to pay SEACOR an amount equal to 35% of such reduction. Additionally, if we generate taxable income (as computed for U.S. federal income tax purposes) for the portion of 2012 ending on the completion of this offering, we generally would be required to pay SEACOR an amount equal to 35% of such taxable income.

Furthermore, if SEACOR retains at least 80% of the total voting power and value of our stock, we and certain of our U.S. subsidiaries will be included in SEACOR’s consolidated group for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In addition, we or one or more of our subsidiaries may be included in the combined, consolidated or unitary tax returns of SEACOR or one or more of its subsidiaries for U.S. state or local income tax purposes. In such circumstances, under the tax sharing agreement between SEACOR and us, we generally will pay to SEACOR the amount of U.S. federal, state and local income taxes that we would be required to pay to the relevant taxing authorities if we and our subsidiaries filed combined, consolidated or unitary tax returns and were not included in the consolidated, combined or unitary tax returns of SEACOR or its subsidiaries. In contrast, SEACOR generally will be obligated to pay to us the amount of U.S. federal, state and local income tax savings that it enjoys by reason of the use of certain favorable tax attributes (such as net operating losses) attributable to us and our subsidiaries (treating any tax attributes attributable to SEACOR and its subsidiaries as utilized prior to the utilization of any tax attributes attributable to us and our subsidiaries).

By virtue of its controlling ownership and the tax sharing agreement, SEACOR will effectively control all of our tax decisions. In addition, in the event of continued tax consolidation, the tax sharing agreement will provide that SEACOR has sole authority to respond to and conduct all tax proceedings (including tax audits) relating to consolidated, combined or unitary income tax returns of SEACOR or one or more of its subsidiaries with respect to which we or one or more of our subsidiaries are included, to file all such tax returns and to determine the amount of our liability to (or entitlement to payment from) SEACOR under the tax sharing agreement. This arrangement may result in conflicts of interest between SEACOR and us.

 

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Finally, notwithstanding the tax sharing agreement, U.S. federal law provides that each member of a consolidated group is jointly and severally liable for the group’s entire federal income tax obligation. Thus, to the extent SEACOR or other members of the group fail to make any U.S. federal income tax payments required by law, we would be liable for the shortfall. Similar principles may apply for foreign, state or local income tax purposes where we file combined, consolidated or unitary returns with SEACOR or its subsidiaries for foreign, state or local income tax purposes.

For a more detailed description of our tax sharing agreement, see “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Agreements with SEACOR—Tax Sharing Agreement.”

We are a “controlled company” within the meaning of the NYSE rules and will qualify for, and intend to rely on, exemptions from certain corporate governance requirements. As a result, you will not have the same protections afforded to stockholders of companies that are subject to such requirements.

Following consummation of this offering, SEACOR will continue to control a majority of the voting power of our outstanding common stock. See “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Relationship with SEACOR.” As a result, we are a “controlled company” within the meaning of the NYSE corporate governance standards. Under these rules, a “controlled company” may elect to not comply with certain corporate governance requirements, including:

 

   

the requirement that a majority of the Board of Directors consist of independent directors;

 

   

the requirement that we have a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee that is composed entirely of independent directors with a written charter addressing the committee’s purpose and responsibilities;

 

   

the requirement that we have a Compensation Committee that is comprised entirely of independent directors with a written charter addressing the committee’s purpose and responsibilities; and

 

   

the requirement for an annual performance evaluation of the Nominating and Corporate Governance and Compensation Committees.

Following consummation of this offering, we intend to utilize these exemptions. As a result, we will not have a majority of independent directors, our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, and Compensation Committee will not consist entirely of independent directors and such committees will not be subject to annual performance evaluations. Accordingly, you will not have the same protections afforded to stockholders of companies that are subject to all of the corporate governance requirements of the NYSE.

Our historical financial information may not be representative of the results we would have achieved as a stand-alone public company and may not be a reliable indicator of our future results.

The historical financial information that we have included in this prospectus may not necessarily reflect what our financial position, results of operations or cash flows would have been had we been an independent entity during the periods presented or those that we will achieve in the future. The costs and expenses reflected in our historical financial information include an allocation for certain corporate functions historically provided by SEACOR, that may be different from the comparable expenses that we would have incurred had we operated as a stand-alone company. Our historical financial information does not reflect changes that will occur in our cost structure, financing and operations as a result of our transition to becoming a stand-alone public company, including changes in our employee base, potential increased costs associated with reduced economies of scale and increased costs associated with SEC reporting and NYSE requirements. Therefore, our historical financial information may not necessarily be indicative of what our financial position, results of operations or cash flows will be in the future.

 

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Risks Related to Our Common Stock and this Offering

Our stock price may fluctuate significantly, and you may not be able to resell your shares at or above the initial public offering price.

The trading price of our Class A common stock may be volatile and subject to wide price fluctuations in response to various factors, including:

 

   

market conditions in the broader stock market;

 

   

actual or anticipated fluctuations in our quarterly financial condition and results of operations;

 

   

introduction of new equipment or services by us or our competitors;

 

   

issuance of new or changed securities analysts’ reports or recommendations;

 

   

sales, or anticipated sales, of large blocks of our stock;

 

   

additions or departures of key personnel;

 

   

regulatory or political developments;

 

   

litigation and governmental investigations; and

 

   

changing economic conditions.

These and other factors may cause the market price and demand for our Class A common stock to fluctuate substantially, which may limit or prevent investors from readily selling their shares of Class A common stock and may otherwise negatively affect the liquidity of our Class A common stock. In addition, in the past, when the market price of a stock has been volatile, holders of that stock have sometimes instituted securities class action litigation against the company that issued the stock. If any of our stockholders were to bring a lawsuit against us, we could incur substantial costs defending the lawsuit. Such a lawsuit could also divert the time and attention of our management from our business.

Your percentage of ownership in us may be diluted in the future.

As with any publicly traded company, your percentage ownership in us may be diluted in the future because of equity issuances for acquisitions, the conversion of shares of our Series A preferred stock into shares of our Class B common stock, capital market transactions or otherwise, including equity awards that we expect will be granted to our directors, officers and employees.

There is no existing market for our Class A common stock, and we do not know if one will develop to provide you with adequate liquidity.

Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for shares of our Class A common stock. We cannot predict the extent to which investor interest in our company will lead to the development of a trading market on the NYSE or how liquid that market may become. If an active trading market does not develop or is not sustained, you may have difficulty selling any of our Class A common stock that you purchase at an attractive price or at all. The initial public offering price of shares of our Class A common stock will be determined by negotiation between us and the underwriters and may not be indicative of prices that will prevail following the completion of this offering. The market price of shares of our Class A common stock may decline below the initial public offering price, and you may not be able to resell your shares of our Class A common stock at or above the initial offering price.

If securities or industry analysts do not publish research or reports about our business, if they adversely change their recommendations regarding our stock or if our results of operations do not meet their expectations, our stock price and trading volume could decline.

The trading market for our Class A common stock will be influenced by the research and reports that industry or securities analysts publish about us or our business. If one or more of these analysts cease coverage of our company or fail to publish reports on us regularly, we could lose visibility in the financial markets, which in turn could cause our stock price or trading volume to decline. Moreover, if one or more of the analysts who cover us downgrade recommendations regarding our stock, or if our results of operations do not meet their expectations, our stock price could decline and such decline could be material.

 

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Sales of substantial amounts of our Class A common stock in the public markets, or the perception that such sales might occur, as well as the conversion right of our Class B common stock, could reduce the price of our Class A common stock and may dilute your voting power and your ownership interest in us.

If SEACOR sells substantial amounts of our Class A common stock in the public market following consummation of this offering, the market price of our Class A common stock could decrease significantly. SEACOR, as the sole holder of Class B common stock, has certain conversion rights with respect to converting its shares of Class B common stock into Class A common stock at its discretion or upon the sale, transfer or other disposition of such Class B common stock. See “Description of Capital Stock—Conversion of our Common Stock.” In addition, SEACOR is the sole holder of our Series A preferred stock, which may be converted, at SEACOR’s option, into shares of our Class B common stock at the applicable conversion rate described herein. As described in “Description of Capital Stock—6% Cumulative Perpetual preferred stock, Series A—Conversion.” Following this offering, we expect to have                  shares of Series A preferred stock outstanding. The perception in the public market that SEACOR might sell shares of Class A common stock could also depress our market price. Upon the consummation of this offering, we will have             shares of Class A common stock outstanding. Our directors, executive officers and SEACOR, and its directors and executive officers, will be subject to the lock-up agreements described in “Underwriting” and are subject to the Rule 144 holding period requirements described in “Shares Eligible for Future Sale.” After these lock-up agreements have expired and holding periods have elapsed,             additional shares of our Class A common stock will be eligible for sale in the public market. The market price of shares of our Class A common stock may drop significantly when the restrictions on resale by our existing stockholders lapse. A decline in the price of shares of our Class A common stock might impede our ability to raise capital through the issuance of additional shares of our Class A common stock or other equity securities.

You will experience immediate and substantial book value dilution following consummation of this offering.

The initial public offering price of our Class A common stock will be substantially higher than the pro forma net tangible book value per share of the outstanding Class A common stock immediately after the offering. Based on an assumed initial public offering price of $             per share (the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover of this prospectus) and our net tangible book value on a pro forma basis as of December 31, 2011, if you purchase our Class A common stock in this offering, you will suffer immediate dilution in net tangible book value per share of approximately $             per share. See “Dilution.” In addition, any shares of our Series A preferred stock that remain outstanding following this offering may be converted into shares of our Class B common stock at a conversion price based on our initial public offering price for a period of 45 days following the closing of this offering. After this period, shares of our Series A preferred stock may be converted into shares of our Class B common stock at a price based on the trading value of our Class A common stock. See “Description of Capital Stock—6% Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series A—Conversion.” Following this offering, we expect to have                  shares of Series A preferred stock outstanding.

As a result of becoming a public company, we will be obligated to develop and maintain proper and effective internal control over financial reporting and will be subject to other requirements that will be burdensome and costly. We may not timely complete our analysis of our internal control over financial reporting, or these internal controls may be determined to be ineffective, which could adversely affect investor confidence in our company and, as a result, the value of our Class A common stock.

We have historically operated our business as a segment of a public company. Following consummation of this offering, we will be required to file with the SEC annual and quarterly information and other reports that are specified in Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act. We will also be required to ensure that we have the ability to prepare financial statements that are fully compliant with all SEC reporting requirements on a timely basis. In addition, we will become subject to other reporting and corporate

 

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governance requirements, including the requirements of the NYSE, and certain provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the regulations promulgated thereunder, which will impose significant compliance obligations upon us. As a public company, we will be required to:

 

   

prepare and distribute periodic public reports and other stockholder communications in compliance with our obligations under the federal securities laws and NYSE rules;

 

   

create or expand the roles and duties of our Board of Directors and committees of the Board of Directors;

 

   

institute more comprehensive financial reporting and disclosure compliance functions;

 

   

supplement our internal accounting and auditing function, including hiring additional staff with expertise in accounting and financial reporting for a public company;

 

   

enhance and formalize closing procedures at the end of our accounting periods;

 

   

enhance our internal audit function;

 

   

enhance our investor relations function;

 

   

establish new internal policies, including those relating to disclosure controls and procedures; and

 

   

involve and retain to a greater degree outside counsel and accountants in the activities listed above.

These changes will require a significant commitment of additional resources. We may not be successful in implementing these requirements and implementing them could adversely affect our business or results of operations. In addition, if we fail to implement the requirements with respect to our internal accounting and audit functions, our ability to report our results of operations on a timely and accurate basis could be impaired.

Our internal control over financial reporting may not fully meet the standards for an independent public company required by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (“Section 404”), and failure to achieve and maintain effective internal control over financial reporting in accordance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act could have a material adverse effect on us.

Our internal controls were developed when we were a subsidiary of SEACOR. As such, they may not fully meet the standards for an independent public company that are required by Section 404. We will have to meet such standards in the course of preparing our 2012 financial statements. We do not currently have comprehensive documentation of our internal controls, nor do we document or test our compliance with these controls on a periodic basis in accordance with Section 404. Furthermore, we have not tested our internal controls in accordance with Section 404 and, due to our lack of documentation, such a test would not be possible to perform at this time. Our compliance with Section 404 is expected to be first reported in connection with the filing of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2012.

We are currently in the early stages of addressing our internal control procedures to satisfy the requirements of Section 404, which requires an annual management assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. We will incur additional costs in order to improve our internal control over financial reporting and comply with Section 404, including increased auditing and legal fees and costs associated with hiring additional accounting and administrative staff. If, as a public company, we are not able to implement the requirements of Section 404 in a timely manner or with adequate compliance, our independent registered public accounting firm may not be able to attest to the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. If we are unable to implement and maintain adequate internal control over financial reporting, we may be unable to report our financial information on a timely basis, may suffer adverse regulatory consequences or violations of applicable stock exchange listing rules and may breach the covenants under our credit facilities. There could also be a negative reaction in the financial markets due to a loss of investor confidence in us and the reliability of our financial statements.

 

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Provisions in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws and Delaware law may discourage, delay or prevent a change of control of our company or changes in our management and, therefore, may depress the trading price of our Class A common stock.

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws include certain provisions that could have the effect of discouraging, delaying or preventing a change of control of our company or changes in our management, including, among other things:

 

   

restrictions on the ability of our stockholders to fill a vacancy on the Board of Directors;

 

   

our ability to issue preferred stock with terms that the Board of Directors may determine, without stockholder approval, which could be used to significantly dilute the ownership of a hostile acquirer;

 

   

the absence of cumulative voting in the election of directors which may limit the ability of minority stockholders to elect directors; and

 

   

advance notice requirements for stockholder proposals and nominations, which may discourage or deter a potential acquirer from soliciting proxies to elect a particular slate of directors or otherwise attempting to obtain control of us.

These provisions in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws may discourage, delay or prevent a transaction involving a change in control of our company that is in the best interest of our minority stockholders. Even in the absence of a takeover attempt, the existence of these provisions may adversely affect the prevailing market price of our Class A common stock if they are viewed as discouraging future takeover attempts.

We may not redeem all of our outstanding shares of Series A preferred stock. SEACOR, as the sole holder of any outstanding Series A preferred stock following this offering, will be entitled to certain preferences over the holders of our common stock.

Shares of our Series A preferred stock may remain outstanding following this offering. Our Series A preferred stock ranks senior to our common stock with respect to dividend rights, and rights on our liquidation, dissolution or winding up. In addition, SEACOR, as the sole holder of our Series A preferred stock, is entitled to receive quarterly cash dividends at a rate of 6% per annum. Any shares of our Series A preferred stock that remain outstanding following this offering may be converted into shares of our Class B common stock at a conversion price (i) for 45 days following the closing of this offering, based on our initial public offering price and (ii) after 45 days following the closing of this offering at a price based on the trading value of our Class A common stock on the applicable trading date. See “Description of Capital Stock—6% Cumulative Perpetual preferred stock, Series A.’’

We do not expect to pay dividends to holders of our common stock.

We currently intend to retain our future earnings, if any, for the foreseeable future, to repay indebtedness and to fund the development and growth of our business. We do not intend to pay any dividends to holders of our common stock. As a result, capital appreciation in the price of our Class A common stock, if any, will be your only source of gain or income on an investment in our Class A common stock. In addition, our Series A preferred stock and our senior secured revolving credit facility contain restrictions on our ability to pay dividends. See “Dividend Policy.”

 

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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus contains forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this prospectus are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements give our current expectations and projections relating to our financial condition, results of operations, plans, objectives, future performance and business. You can identify forward-looking statements by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. These statements may include words such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” “plan,” “intend,” “believe,” “may,” “should,” “can have,” “likely” and other words and terms of similar meaning in connection with any discussion of the timing or nature of future operating or financial performance or other events.

The forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus are based on assumptions that we have made in light of our industry experience and on our perceptions of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and other factors we believe are appropriate under the circumstances. As you read and consider this prospectus, you should understand that these statements are not guarantees of performance or results. They involve risks, uncertainties (some of which are beyond our control) and assumptions. Although we believe that these forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, you should be aware that many factors could affect our actual financial results and cause them to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements. We believe these factors include, but are not limited to, those described under “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should any of these assumptions prove incorrect, our actual results may vary in material respects from those projected in these forward-looking statements. We believe these factors include the following risks, among others:

 

   

Demand for many of our services is impacted by the level of activity in the offshore oil and gas exploration, development and production industry.

 

   

Demand for using helicopters is cyclical, not just due to cycles in the oil and gas business but also due to fluctuation in government programs and spending, as well as overall economic conditions.

 

   

We are highly dependent upon the level of activity in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico and Alaska, which are mature exploration and production regions.

 

   

Difficult economic and financial conditions could have a material adverse effect on us.

 

   

Failure to maintain an acceptable safety record may have an adverse impact on our ability to obtain and retain customers.

 

   

We rely on relatively few customers for a significant share of our revenues, the loss of any of which could adversely affect our business and results of operations.

 

   

Consolidation of our customer base could adversely affect demand for our services and reduce our revenues.

 

   

The implementation by our customers of cost-saving measures could reduce the demand for our services.

 

   

Operational risks including, but not limited to, equipment failure and negligence could adversely affect our results of operations and in some instances expose us to liability.

 

   

Weather and seasonality can impact our results of operations.

 

   

A shortfall in availability of components and parts required for repair and maintenance of our helicopters could adversely affect us, as would cost increases imposed by suppliers if they cannot be passed on to customers or if our equipment has been committed to contracts without coverage for escalating expenses.

 

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Our operations in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico were adversely impacted by the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig incident and resulting oil spill and may be adversely impacted by proposed legislation and resulting litigation in response to that incident.

 

   

Increased fuel costs may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

 

   

We may not be able to obtain work on acceptable terms covering some of our new helicopters, and some of our new helicopters may replace existing helicopters already under contract, which could adversely affect the utilization of our existing fleet.

 

   

If we do not restrict the amount of foreign ownership of our common stock, we could be prohibited from operating helicopters in the United States, which would adversely impact our business, our financial condition and results of operations.

 

   

The Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, as amended, provides the federal government with broad discretion in regulating the leasing of offshore resources for the production of oil and gas.

 

   

Helicopter operations involve risks that may not be covered by our insurance or our insurance may be inadequate to protect us from the liabilities that could arise.

 

   

If our employees were to unionize, our operating costs could increase.

Any forward-looking statement made by us in this prospectus speaks only as of the date on which we make it. Factors or events that could cause our actual results to differ may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all of them. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as may be required by law.

This prospectus also contains market data related to our business and industry. This market data includes projections that are based on a number of assumptions, which we believe to be correct and reliable. If these assumptions turn out to be incorrect, actual results may differ from the projections based on these assumptions. As a result, our markets may not grow at the rates projected by these data, or at all. The failure of these markets to grow at these projected rates may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and the market price of our Class A common stock.

 

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USE OF PROCEEDS

We estimate that the net proceeds to us from our sale of             shares of Class A common stock in this offering will be $            , after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated expenses payable by us in connection with this offering. This assumes a public offering price of $             per share, which is the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover of this prospectus. We expect to use the net proceeds of this offering to redeem the outstanding shares of our Series A preferred stock at the applicable redemption price equal to the original issue price of $100 per share plus accrued but unpaid dividends and for general corporate purposes. Following this offering, we expect to have              shares of our Series A preferred stock outstanding.

A $1.00 increase (decrease) in the assumed initial public offering price of $             per share would increase (decrease) the net proceeds to us from this offering by $             million, assuming the number of shares offered by us, as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, remains the same and after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated expenses payable by us.

 

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DIVIDEND POLICY

Holders of our Series A preferred stock are entitled to receive quarterly cash dividends at a rate of 6% per annum before any cash dividends may be paid to holders or declared with respect to any shares of our common stock. Following this offering, we expect to have                  shares of our Series A preferred stock outstanding.

We previously have not paid any cash dividends on our common stock. We intend to retain all available funds and any future earnings to reduce debt and fund the development and growth of our business. On December 22, 2011, we entered into a senior secured revolving credit facility that limits our ability to pay dividends. Future agreements we may enter into, including with respect to any future debt we may incur, may also further limit or restrict our ability to pay dividends. For a discussion of the limitations in our senior secured revolving credit facility, see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility.” For a discussion of the preference on our Series A preferred stock as to the payment of dividends on our common stock, see “Description of Capital Stock—6% Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series A—Dividend Rights”.

Any future determination to pay dividends will be at the discretion of our Board of Directors and will take into account:

 

   

restrictions in our senior secured revolving credit facility;

 

   

restrictions imposed by our Series A preferred stock;

 

   

general economic and business conditions;

 

   

our financial condition and results of operations;

 

   

our capital requirements and the capital requirements of our subsidiaries;

 

   

the ability of our operating subsidiaries to pay dividends and make distributions to us; and

 

   

such other factors as our Board of Directors may deem relevant.

 

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CAPITALIZATION

The following table sets forth our cash and cash equivalents and our capitalization as of December 31, 2011:

 

   

on an actual basis;

 

   

on a pro forma basis to give effect to our cash payment of $42.6 million to SEACOR on February 9, 2012 to settle our advances activity with SEACOR from December 1, 2011 through our entry into a senior secured revolving credit facility on December 22, 2011, primarily consisting of capital expenditures on helicopters and partially offset by SEACOR’s purchase of our 2011 tax operating loss benefit of $18.2 million; and the              to              stock split of our outstanding Class B common stock in the initial public offering.

 

   

on a pro forma as adjusted basis to give effect to the transaction described above and to give effect to the sale of shares of our Class A common stock in this offering at an assumed initial public offering price of $             per share (the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover of this prospectus) after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us, and the application of the net proceeds from this offering to redeem our outstanding Series A preferred stock at the applicable redemption price equal to the original price of $100 per share plus accrued but unpaid dividends, as described under “Use of Proceeds.”

This table should be read in conjunction with “Use of Proceeds,” “Selected Historical Consolidated Financial Data,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and the consolidated financial statements and the related notes thereto included elsewhere in this prospectus.

 

         Actual         Pro Forma      Pro Forma,
As Adjusted
 
     (in thousands, except share data)  

Cash and Cash Equivalents

   $ 79,122      $         $                
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Debt:

       

Current portion of long-term debt

   $ 2,787      $         $     

Long-term debt

     285,098        
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total debt

     287,885        
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Series A preferred stock, at redemption value, 10,000,000 shares authorized; 1,400,000 shares issued on an actual and pro forma basis;             shares issued on a pro forma, as adjusted basis

     140,210        

Stockholder Equity:

       

Class A common stock, $0.01 par value, 60,000,000 shares authorized; none issued on an actual and pro forma basis;              shares issued on a pro forma, as adjusted basis

     —          

Class B common stock, $0.01 par value, 60,000,000 shares authorized; 24,500,000 shares issued on an actual and pro forma basis;
             shares issued on a pro forma, as adjusted basis

     245        

Additional paid-in capital

     287,307        

Accumulated deficit

     (11,812     

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     (593     
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total stockholder equity

     275,147        
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total capitalization

   $ 703,242      $         $     
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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DILUTION

If you invest in our Class A common stock in this offering, your ownership interest will be diluted to the extent of the difference between the initial public offering price per share and the pro forma, as adjusted net tangible book value per share of Class A common stock upon the completion of this offering.

Dilution results from the fact that the per share offering price of the Class A common stock is substantially in excess of the book value per share attributable to the existing stockholder for the presently outstanding stock. Our net tangible book value per share represents our total tangible assets less total liabilities, divided by the total number of shares of Class A common stock and Class B common stock outstanding. As of December 31, 2011, our net tangible book value was approximately $             million, or $             per share.

After giving effect to our cash payment of $42.6 million to SEACOR on February 9, 2012, to settle our advance activity with SEACOR from December 1, 2011 through our entry into a senior secured revolving credit facility on December 22, 2011, primarily consisting of capital expenditures on helicopters and partially offset by SEACOR’s purchase of our 2011 tax operating loss of $18.2 million; the         to         stock split of our outstanding Class B common stock in the initial public offering, and the sale of shares of our Class A common stock in this offering at an assumed initial public offering price of $             per share (the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover of this prospectus) after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us, and the application of the net proceeds from this offering to redeem our outstanding Series A preferred stock at the applicable redemption price, as described under “Use of Proceeds,” our pro forma, as adjusted net tangible book value as of December 31, 2011 would have been approximately $            , or $             per share.

This represents an immediate increase in pro forma, as adjusted net tangible book value of $             per share to our existing stockholder and an immediate dilution of $         per share to new investors purchasing shares of common stock in this offering at the initial public offering price.

The following table illustrates this substantial and immediate dilution to new investors on a per share basis:

 

Assumed initial public offering price per share

      $                

Pro forma, as adjusted net tangible book value per share as of December 31, 2011

   $                   

Increase in pro forma, as adjusted net tangible book value per share attributable to the sale of shares in this offering

     
  

 

 

    

Pro forma, as adjusted net tangible book value per share following consummation of this offering

     
     

 

 

 

Dilution per share to new investors

      $     
     

 

 

 

A $1.00 increase (decrease) in the assumed initial public offering price of $             per share (the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover of this prospectus) would increase (decrease) our pro forma net tangible book value after this offering by $             million and increase (decrease) the dilution to new investors by $             per share, assuming the number of shares offered by us, as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus remains the same and after deducting the estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us.

 

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The following table summarizes, as of December 31, 2011, the total number of shares of our Class A common stock and Class B common stock we issued (including shares of Class B common stock issuable upon the conversion of our Series A preferred stock outstanding after the redemption of the Series A preferred stock with the net proceeds from this offering (assuming such conversion occurs at the initial public offering price of $             per share, the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover of this prospectus)), the total consideration we received and the average price per share paid to us by our existing stockholder and to be paid by new investors purchasing shares of our Class A common stock in this offering. The table assumes an initial public offering price of $             per share (the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover of this prospectus) and deducts underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us, and the application of the net proceeds from this offering to redeem outstanding shares of our Series A preferred stock at the applicable redemption price and for general corporate purposes, as described under “Use of Proceeds,” and the stock split of our outstanding shares of Class B common stock:

 

     Shares Purchased      Total Consideration      Average
Price Per
Share
      Number    Percent      Amount    Percent     
          %      $    %      $

Existing stockholder

              

New investors

              
  

 

  

 

 

    

 

  

 

 

    

Total

        100            100      
  

 

  

 

 

    

 

  

 

 

    

A $1.00 increase (decrease) in the assumed initial public offering price of $             per share (the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover of this prospectus) would increase (decrease) the total consideration paid by new investors by $             and the total consideration paid by all stockholders by $            .

In addition, we may choose to raise additional capital due to market conditions or strategic considerations even if we believe we have sufficient funds for our current or future operating plans. To the extent that additional capital is raised through the sale of equity or convertible debt securities, the issuance of such securities could result in further dilution to our stockholders.

 

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SELECTED HISTORICAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA

The following tables set forth the selected historical and adjusted consolidated financial data for the periods indicated. We derived the summary consolidated financial data presented below as of December 31, 2011 and 2010 and for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 from our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. The selected historical consolidated financial data as of December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 and for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007 have been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements not included in this prospectus.

Our historical results are not necessarily indicative of future operating results. You should read the information set forth below in conjunction with “Selected Historical Consolidated Financial Data,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and the consolidated financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus.

 

    For the years ended December 31,  
        2011         2010     2009     2008     2007  
    (in thousands, except share data)  

Statement of Operations Data:

         

Operating Revenues

  $ 258,148      $ 235,366      $ 235,667      $ 248,627      $ 215,039   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Costs and Expenses:

         

Operating

    162,707        147,233        147,955        181,490        157,241   

Administrative and general

    31,893        25,798        21,396        20,130        18,865   

Depreciation

    42,612        43,351        37,358        36,411        27,527   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    237,212        216,382        206,709        238,031        203,633   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gains on Asset Dispositions and Impairments, Net

    15,172        764        316        4,883        8,063   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating Income

    36,108        19,748        29,274        15,479        19,469   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other Income (Expense):

         

Interest income

    738        109        52        217        626   

Interest expense

    (1,376     (94     (13     (5     (1

Interest expense on advances from SEACOR

    (23,410     (21,437     (20,328     (12,963     (14,438

SEACOR management fees

    (8,799     (4,550     (5,481     (5,681     (4,008

Derivative gains (losses), net

    (1,326     (118     266        274        (2,695

Foreign currency gains (losses), net

    516        (1,511     1,439        271        44   

Other, net

    9        50               38        613   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    (33,648     (27,551     (24,065     (17,849     (19,859
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (Loss) Before Income Tax Expense (Benefit) and Equity in Earnings (Losses) of 50% or Less Owned Companies

    2,460        (7,803     5,209        (2,370     (390
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income Tax Expense (Benefit):

         

Current

    (17,905     (46,315     (29,409     (16,460     (9,082

Deferred

    18,339        42,014        32,292        16,116        9,049   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    434        (4,301     2,883        (344     (33
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (Loss) Before Equity in Earnings (Losses) of 50% or Less Owned Companies

    2,026        (3,502     2,326        (2,026     (357

Equity in Earnings (Losses) of 50% or Less Owned Companies, Net of Tax

    82        (137     (487     (461     (8
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Income (Loss)

    2,108        (3,639     1,839        (2,487     (365

Accretion of Redemption Value on Series A Preferred Stock

    210                               
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Income (Loss) attributable to Common Shares

  $ 1,898      $ (3,639   $ 1,839      $ (2,987   $ (365
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share:

         

Basic and Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share

  $ 0.18      $ (3,639.00   $ 1,839.00      $ (2,487.00   $ (365.00

Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding

    10,270,444        1,000        1,000        1,000        1,000   

Other financial data:

         

EBITDA (1)

  $ 69,202      $ 56,833      $ 62,369      $ 46,331      $ 40,942   

 

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    December 31,  
        2011         2010     2009     2008     2007  
    (in thousands)  

Balance Sheet Data:

         

Current Assets:

         

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ 79,122      $ 3,698      $ 7,309      $ 6,201      $ 1,530   

Receivables

    50,084        41,157        40,211        40,894        41,258   

Inventories

    24,504        23,153        19,355        18,943        18,722   

Prepaid expenses

    1,776        2,077        1,944        2,039        1,513   

Deferred income taxes

    2,293        1,672        221        408        784   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current assets

    157,779        71,757        69,040        68,485        63,807   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Property and Equipment, Net

    709,451        612,078        523,195        495,410        332,710   

Escrow Deposits on Like-Kind Exchanges

                                10,105   

Investments, at Equity, and Advances to 50% or Less Owned Companies

    50,263        27,912        26,712        27,415        6,015   

Goodwill

    352        352        352        352        352   

Other Assets

    15,379        6,925        7,857        1,234        4,805   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  $ 933,224      $ 719,024      $ 627,156      $ 592,896      $ 417,794   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Current Liabilities

    78,252        29,172        20,408        30,215        39,957   

Long-Term Debt

    285,098        35,885                        

Advances from SEACOR

           355,952        347,564        338,178        170,949   

Deferred Income Taxes

    146,177        127,799        84,397        51,788        36,512   

Deferred Gains and Other Liabilities

    8,340        6,623        7,291        7,446        2,097   

Series A Preferred Stock

    140,210                               

Total Stockholder Equity

    275,147        163,593        167,496        165,269        168,279   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  $ 933,224      $ 719,024      $ 627,156      $ 592,896      $ 417,794   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) We present Earnings before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization (“EBITDA”) in this prospectus to provide investors with a supplemental measure of our operating performance. Interest, in this case, includes interest income, interest expense and interest expense on advances from SEACOR. EBITDA is not a recognized term under generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”). Accordingly, it should not be used as an indicator of, or an alternative to, net income as a measure of operating performance. In addition, EBITDA is not intended to be a measure of free cash flow available for management’s discretionary use, as it does not consider certain cash requirements, such as debt service requirements. Our presentation of EBITDA has limitations as an analytical tool, and you should not consider it in isolation, or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under GAAP. Because the definition of EBITDA (or similar measures) may vary among companies and industries, it may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures used by other companies.

Management uses EBITDA as a performance metric for internal monitoring and planning purposes, including the presentation of our annual operating budget and quarterly operating reviews, and to facilitate analysis of investment decisions. In addition, the EBITDA performance metric allows us to evaluate profitability and make performance trend comparisons between us and our competitors. Further, we believe EBITDA is frequently used by securities analysts, investors and other interested parties in the evaluation of companies in our industry.

 

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The following table provides a reconciliation of Net Income (Loss), the most directly comparable GAAP measure, to EBITDA for the historical periods presented:

 

    Years Ended December 31,  
        2011             2010         2009     2008     2007  
    (in thousands)  

Net Income (Loss)

  $ 2,108      $ (3,639   $ 1,839      $ (2,487   $ (365

Depreciation

    42,612        43,351        37,358        36,411        27,527   

Interest Income

    (738     (109     (52     (217     (626

Interest Expense

    1,376        94        13        5        1   

Interest Expense on Advances from SEACOR

    23,410        21,437        20,328        12,963        14,438   

Income Tax Expense (Benefit)

    434        (4,301     2,883        (344     (33
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

EBITDA

  $ 69,202      $ 56,833      $ 62,369      $ 46,331      $ 40,942   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion and analysis of the financial condition and results of operations should be read together with “Selected Historical Consolidated Financial Data” and our consolidated financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus. This discussion contains forward-looking statements, based on current expectations and related to future events and our future financial performance, that involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of many factors, including those set forth under “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this prospectus.

Overview

We are one of the largest helicopter operators in the world and the longest serving helicopter transport operator in the United States, which is our primary area of operations. In 2011, approximately 46% and 16% of our operating revenues were earned in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico and Alaska, respectively. We also provide helicopters and related services to third-party helicopter operators in other countries. In addition to our U.S. customers, we currently have customers in Brazil, Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Spain, Norway, Indonesia and India. As of December 31, 2011, our fleet consisted of 175 helicopters, most of which were used to transport personnel to and from, and between offshore installations, drilling rigs and platforms.

As of December 31, 2011, in addition to our existing operating fleet, we had purchased and were in possession of one Eurocopter EC225, two Eurocopter EC135s and four AgustaWestland AW139s, all of which will become operational in 2012. As of December 31, 2011, we had placed orders for twelve new helicopters, consisting of one EC225 heavy helicopter, four AW139 medium helicopters, five AgustaWestland AW169 light twin helicopters and two EC135 light twin helicopters. The EC225, the AW139s and the EC135s are scheduled to be delivered in 2012. Delivery dates for the AW169s have yet to be determined. In addition, we had outstanding options to purchase up to an additional 15 AW139 medium helicopters. If these options are exercised, the helicopters will be delivered beginning in 2012 through 2015. Subsequent to December 31, 2011, we committed to purchase one EC225 and other equipment.

The primary users of our transport services are major integrated and independent oil and gas companies and U.S. government agencies. In 2011, approximately 55% of our operating revenues were derived from helicopter services, including emergency search and rescue services, provided to clients primarily involved in oil and gas activities. In addition to serving the oil and gas industry, we provide air medical services, firefighting support, and Alaska flightseeing tours. Although our operations historically have primarily served the U.S. offshore oil and gas industry, in recent years we have made efforts to reduce our dependence on this market and take advantage of the mobility and versatility of our helicopters to expand into other geographic regions and to serve other industries.

Demand for new, sophisticated equipment continues to grow particularly in response to the requirements of an offshore oil and gas industry, which has become more focused on deepwater activities. To service these new areas of exploration, aircraft must have greater payloads and range. Aircraft supporting air medical and search and rescue operations, and other public uses also require new technology and safety improvements. According to PFC Energy, approximately 28% of the global helicopter fleet is more than 25 years old. Replacement is hampered by the following factors: (i) there are only four major original equipment manufacturers (“OEMs”) that have a full range of service models; (ii) lead times for delivery of new equipment can be as long as three years; (iii) prevailing economic conditions have, until recently, not been favorable for raising capital to finance new equipment; and (iv) many smaller operators are still unable to raise capital.

Prior to our entry into a senior secured revolving credit facility on December 22, 2011, we participated in a cash management program whereby certain of our operating and capital expenditures were funded through advances from SEACOR and certain cash collections were forwarded to SEACOR. As a consequence of this arrangement, we have historically maintained minor balances of cash on hand. As of December 31, 2011, our

 

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cash on hand was $79.1 million. On December 23, 2011, we issued 1,400,000 shares of our Series A preferred stock to SEACOR in exchange for $140.0 million of aggregate advances previously provided to us by SEACOR. SEACOR also contributed an additional $180.0 million of capital to us in respect of additional prior advances. On December 22, 2011, we entered into a $350.0 million senior secured revolving credit facility of which $252.0 million was outstanding as of December 31, 2011. We used $242.3 million of these borrowings to settle our outstanding SEACOR advances as described in “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Relationship with SEACOR,” and the remaining amounts under the senior secured revolving credit facility are available to fund working capital needs. We believe our borrowing capacity under our new senior secured revolving credit facility and our strong relationships with OEMs will position us well to add new helicopters to our fleet and upgrade existing helicopters, thereby maintaining an asset base suitable for use within our own operations and for contract-leasing to other operators. We also leverage our strong relationships with OEMs to support growth in other services, such as selling specialty equipment and accessories for helicopters, and training.

Offshore Oil and Gas Support

The offshore oil and gas market is highly cyclical with demand linked to the price of oil and gas, which tends to fluctuate depending on many factors, including global economic activity and levels of inventory. In addition to the price of oil and gas, the availability of acreage and local tax incentives or disincentives and requirements for maintaining interests in leases affect activity levels in the oil and gas industry. Price levels for oil and gas by themselves can cause additional fluctuations by inducing changes in consumer behavior. During the year ended December 31, 2010, the market for our assets in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico was disrupted by events related to the sinking of the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig. After the Deepwater Horizon incident, the U.S. Department of Interior imposed a moratorium on offshore deepwater drilling operations, which caused a dramatic decrease in demand for helicopters supporting oil and gas activities in the region. Although the moratorium has been lifted, the process of issuing permits to drill remains slow, which continues to have a negative impact on demand for helicopter services in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico.

We believe the slowdown will not significantly impact our future results in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico because our activities are mainly focused on longer-term production, maintenance and inspection work rather than on short-term exploration and development projects. For the last five years we have provided transportation services to government inspectors of offshore drilling rigs and this contract was recently renewed and is expected to run through 2016. As of December 31, 2011, 19 of our helicopters were operating under this contract with customer options to increase the number to up to 33 helicopters.

Prior to the Deepwater Horizon incident, we began to deploy helicopters in international markets, frequently under contract-lease arrangements to third parties. The majority of these helicopters are supporting oil and gas activities in regions of rapidly expanding activity, such as Brazil, India and Indonesia. We also have equipment working in the North Sea and Mexico. In many cases the helicopters are contracted to local helicopter operators, which often prefer to lease aircraft rather than purchase them. Contract-leasing affords us the opportunity to access new markets without heavy initial infrastructure investment and generally without ongoing operating risk. As of December 31, 2011, we had 48 helicopters located in foreign jurisdictions compared with 15 helicopters as of December 31, 2006.

Brazil, which is among the most important markets for offshore oil and gas activity, currently represents our fastest growing international market. We believe the Brazilian market will require significant additions to the medium and heavy helicopter fleet currently operating there as the country continues to accelerate its production efforts. We recently committed to further participate in this market by acquiring an ownership interest in Aeróleo, a Brazilian helicopter operator, to which we also provide management expertise, supply of spare parts, logistical aid and maintenance support.

As of December 31, 2011, we had three Eurocopter EC225 heavy helicopters and eight AgustaWestland AW139 medium helicopters contract-leased to Aeróleo, which provides helicopter transportation services to Petroleo Brasiliero S.A. and OGX Petroleo e Gas Participacoes under multi-year contracts and also markets

 

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services to international companies that are acquiring acreage in Brazil. The United States Energy Information Administration has stated that recent discoveries of large offshore, pre-salt oil deposits could transform Brazil into one of the largest oil producers in the world, and Petrobras Brasiliero S.A. has estimated that it will achieve an oil production target of approximately six million barrels per day by 2020.

Other Activities and Services

Consistent with our diversification strategy, we deploy a number of helicopters in support of other industries and activities. In 2011, approximately 45% of our operating revenues were generated by these other activities and services. In 2007, we entered the air medical services market through the acquisition of the flight operations of Keystone Helicopter Corporation. We now supply helicopters, pilots and mechanics to hospitals and manage helicopters on their behalf. We are also developing a search and rescue service in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico on a subscription basis. We currently have two AgustaWestland AW139 helicopters configured for this service and several subscribers.

Alaska is also an important and diverse market for us. In addition to supporting oil company activities in the Cook Inlet and along the North Slope, we operate a Fixed Base Operation (“FBO”) at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, provide summer flightseeing tours and support inland firefighting and mining operations.

We have also developed services to the helicopter industry that we believe complement our core activities and which we market in conjunction with our contract-leasing. We hold a 50% interest in Dart, an international sales and manufacturing organization focused on after-market helicopter parts and accessories. We hold a 50% interest in Era Training Center that provides instruction, flight simulator and other training to our employees, pilots working for third parties, other helicopter companies, including our competitors, and government agencies. We are also developing a helicopter training center in Brazil where we have been appointed by AgustaWestland to conduct training for its customers in South America.

Internationally we hold a 51% interest in Lake Palma, S.L. (“Lake Palma”), a joint venture that leases helicopters to FAASA Aviacioa, S.A., a Spain-based firefighting operator (“FAASA”). We are also focused on developing our presence in the India and Indonesia helicopter markets, which we believe represent growth opportunities, primarily in the civil aviation sector.

Fleet Developments and Capital Commitments

In recent years, we have continued to focus on the modernization of our fleet and, when possible, standardization of equipment. Our customers require modern aircraft that offer enhanced safety features and greater performance. Increasingly, customers flying offshore tend to prefer twin-engine aircraft to single-engine aircraft due to the additional safety afforded from two engines. In response to this demand, we have transformed our fleet significantly: since the beginning of 2005 we have added 108 helicopters, disposed of 74 helicopters and reduced the average age of our owned fleet from 17 years to 12 years. As of December 31, 2011, 35% of our fleet was five years old or less. We have spent $158.9 million, $130.8 million and $90.8 million to acquire helicopters and other equipment in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively, primarily for medium and heavy helicopters.

As of December 31, 2011, in addition to our existing operating fleet, we had purchased and were in possession of one Eurocopter EC225, two Eurocopter EC135s and four AgustaWestland AW139s, all of which will become operational in 2012. As of December 31, 2011, we had capital commitments of $101.4 million primarily consisting of one EC225 heavy helicopter, four AW139 medium helicopters, five AW169 light twin helicopters and two EC135 light twin helicopters. Of these commitments, approximately $43.6 million may be terminated without further liability other than the payment of liquidated damages of $1.4 million in the aggregate. In addition, we had outstanding options to purchase up to an additional 15 AW139 medium helicopters. If these options are exercised, the helicopters will be delivered beginning in 2012 through 2015. Subsequent to December 31, 2011, we committed to purchase one EC225 and other equipment for $29.6 million.

 

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Corporate History

In 1948, Carl F. Brady brought a Bell 47A helicopter to Alaska, establishing what is now the longest serving helicopter company in the United States. Mr. Brady’s company, Economy Helicopters, assisted federal surveyors in mapping the State of Alaska. By 1958, following various mergers and acquisitions, the company became Era Helicopters, Inc. focusing on supporting the growing oil and gas industry operations in Alaska. It was then acquired by Rowan Companies Inc. in 1967, thereby providing additional capital for fleet expansion. In subsequent years it continued to grow and broaden its scope of operations, acquiring a fixed wing division in Alaska in 1978 and establishing a Lake Charles, Louisiana base of operations for the U.S. Gulf of Mexico that same year.

In 2004, SEACOR, which had previously entered the helicopter business via an acquisition of Tex-Air Helicopters Inc., acquired us. Soon after the acquisition, SEACOR sold the fixed wing division and focused on helicopter services. Since the acquisition, we have invested $937.0 million in property and equipment, of which $702.3 million was invested in helicopters, and have grown from owning and/or operating 127 helicopters at the beginning of 2005 to 175 helicopters as of December 31, 2011. Following the consummation of this offering, SEACOR will not own any shares of our Class A common stock and will own all of the issued and outstanding shares of our Class B common stock and Series A preferred stock.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

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 disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Such estimates include those related to allowance for doubtful accounts, useful lives of property and equipment, impairments, income tax provisions and certain accrued liabilities. Actual results could differ from those estimates and those differences may be material.

Revenue Recognition. We recognize revenue when it is realized or realizable and earned. Revenue is realized or realizable and earned when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred or services have been rendered, the price to the buyer is fixed or determinable, and collectability is reasonably assured. Revenue that does not meet these criteria is deferred until the criteria are met.

We charter the majority of our helicopters primarily through master service agreements, subscription agreements, day-to-day charter arrangements and contract-leases. Master service agreements and subscription agreements require incremental payments above a fixed monthly fee based on flight hours flown. These agreements have fixed terms ranging from one month to five years, and generally may be cancelled upon 30-days notice. Day-to-day charter arrangements call for either a combination of a daily fixed fee plus a charge based on hours flown or an hourly rate. Services provided under contract-leases can include only the equipment, or can include the equipment, logistical and maintenance support, insurance and personnel, or a combination thereof. Fixed monthly fee revenues are recognized ratably over the contract term. Usage or hourly based revenues are recognized as hours are flown.

Our air medical services are provided under contracts with hospitals that typically include either a fixed monthly and hourly rate structure or a fee per completed flight. Fixed monthly revenues are recognized ratably over the month while per hour or per flight based revenues are recognized as hours are flown or flights are completed. Most contracts with hospitals are longer term, but offer either party the ability to terminate with less than six months notice. We operate some air medical contracts pursuant to which we collect a fee per flight, either from a hospital or an insurance company.

With respect to flightseeing activities, we allocate block space to cruise lines and sell seats directly to customers with revenues recognized as the services are performed. Our FBO sells fuel on an ad-hoc basis and

 

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those sales are recognized at the time of fuel delivery. Training revenues are charged at a set rate per training course and include instructors, training materials and flight or flight simulator time, as applicable. Training revenues are recognized as services are provided.

Trade Receivables. Customers are primarily major integrated and independent exploration and production companies, hospitals, international helicopter operators and the U.S. government. Customers are typically granted credit on a short-term basis and related credit risks are considered minimal. We routinely review our trade receivables and make provisions for probable doubtful accounts; however, those provisions are estimates and actual results could differ from those estimates and those differences may be material. Trade receivables are deemed uncollectible and removed from accounts receivable and the allowance for doubtful accounts when collection efforts have been exhausted.

Derivative Instruments. We account for derivatives through the use of a fair value concept whereby all of our derivative positions are stated at fair value in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Realized and unrealized gains and losses on derivatives not designated as hedges are reported in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations as derivative gains (losses), net. Realized and unrealized gains and losses on derivatives designated as fair value hedges are recognized as a corresponding increase or decrease in the fair value of the underlying hedged item to the extent they are effective, with any ineffective portion reported in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations as derivative gains (losses), net.

Inventories. Inventories, which consist primarily of spare parts and fuel, are stated at the lower of cost (using the average cost method) or market. We record write-downs, as needed, to adjust the carrying amount of inventories to the lower of cost or market.

Property and Equipment. Equipment, stated at cost, is depreciated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of the asset to an estimated salvage value. With respect to helicopters, the estimated useful life is typically based upon a newly built asset being placed into service and represents the point at which it is typically not justifiable for us to continue to operate the asset in the same or similar manner. From time to time, we may acquire older assets that have already exceeded our useful life policy, in which case we depreciate such assets based on our best estimate of remaining useful life.

As of December 31, 2011, the estimated useful life (in years) of our categories of new property and equipment was as follows:

 

Helicopters (estimated salvage value at 40% of cost)

     15   

Machinery, equipment and spares

     5-7   

Buildings and leasehold improvements

     10-30   

Furniture, fixtures, vehicles and other

     3-5   

We review the estimated useful lives and salvage values of our fixed assets on an ongoing basis. Effective July 1, 2011, we changed the estimated useful life and salvage value for helicopters from 12 to 15 years and 30% to 40%, respectively, due to improvements in new aircraft models that continue to increase their long-term value and make them viable for operation over a longer period of time. For the year ended December 31, 2011, the change in estimate increased operating income by $7.6 million, net income by $4.9 million and basic and diluted earnings per share by $0.48.

Equipment maintenance and repair costs and the costs of routine overhauls and inspections performed on helicopter engines and major components are charged to operating expense as incurred. Expenditures that extend the useful life or improve the marketing and commercial characteristics of equipment as well as major renewals or improvements to other properties are capitalized.

We engage a number of third-party vendors to maintain the engines and certain components on some of our helicopter models under programs known as “power-by-hour” maintenance contracts. These programs require us to pay for the maintenance service ratably over the contract period, typically based on actual flight hours.

 

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Power-by-hour providers generally bill monthly based on hours flown in the prior month, the costs being expensed as incurred. In the event we place a helicopter in a program after a maintenance period has begun, it may be necessary to pay an initial buy-in charge based on hours flown since the previous maintenance event. The buy-in charge is normally recorded as a pre-paid expense and amortized as an operating expense over the remaining power-by-hour contract period. If a helicopter is sold or otherwise removed from a program before the scheduled maintenance work is carried out, we may be able to recover part of our payments to the power-by-hour provider, in which case we record a reduction to operating expense when we receive the refund.

Certain interest costs incurred during the construction of equipment are capitalized as part of the assets’ carrying values and are amortized over such assets’ estimated useful lives.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets. We perform an impairment analysis on long-lived assets used in operations when indicators of impairment are present. If the carrying value of the assets is not recoverable, as determined by the estimated undiscounted cash flows, the carrying value of the assets is reduced to fair value. Generally, fair value is determined using valuation techniques, such as expected discounted cash flows or appraisals, as appropriate.

Impairment of 50% or Less Owned Companies. We perform regular reviews of each investee’s financial condition, the business outlook for its products and services, and its present and projected results and cash flows. When an investee has experienced consistent declines in financial performance or difficulties in raising capital to continue operations, and when we expect the decline to be other-than-temporary, the investment is written down to fair value. Actual results may vary from estimates due to the uncertainties regarding the projected financial performance of investees, the severity and expected duration of declines in value and the available liquidity in the capital markets to support the continuing operations of the investees in which we have investments.

Income Taxes. Our results are included in the consolidated U.S. federal income tax return of SEACOR. SEACOR’s policy for allocation of U.S. federal income taxes requires its subsidiaries to compute their provision for U.S. federal income taxes on a separate company basis and settle with SEACOR. Net operating loss benefits are settled with SEACOR on a current basis and are used in the consolidated U.S. federal income tax return to offset taxable profits of other affiliates. For all periods presented, the total provision for income taxes included in the consolidated statements of operations would remain as currently reported if we were not eligible to be included in the consolidated U.S. federal income tax return of SEACOR. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities have been provided in recognition of the income tax effect attributable to the book and tax basis differences of assets and liabilities reported in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. Deferred tax assets or liabilities are provided using the enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the periods in which they are expected to be settled or realized. Interest and penalties relating to uncertain tax positions are recognized in interest expense and administrative and general, respectively, in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. We record a valuation allowance to reduce our deferred tax assets if it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.

Components of Revenues and Expenses

We derive our revenues from operating and contract-leasing our equipment and our profits depend on our cost of capital, the acquisition costs of assets, our operating costs, our contract policy and our reputation.

Operating revenues recorded under U.S. Gulf of Mexico are primarily generated from offshore oil and gas related activities but also include subscriptions for search and rescue services. Similarly, operating revenues recorded under Alaska are primarily generated from offshore oil and gas related activities but also include revenues from operations supporting firefighting and mining activities. In both the U.S. Gulf of Mexico and Alaska, operating revenues are typically earned through a combination of fixed monthly fees plus an incremental charge based on flight hours flown.

 

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Operating revenues recorded under contract-leasing are generated from contract-leases to third-party operators or joint venture partners, where we are not responsible for the operation of the helicopters. For the majority of these contract-leases, we also provide crew training, management expertise, and logistical and maintenance support. Contract-leases typically call for a fixed monthly fee only, but may also include an additional charge based on flight hours flown. In recent years the majority of our contract-leasing revenues have been generated by helicopters deployed internationally.

Operating revenues recorded under air medical services include revenues from patient transfers and management services to hospitals. Operating revenues are earned through either a fixed monthly fee plus an incremental charge for flight hours flown or through a fee per completed flight.

Operating revenues recorded under Flightseeing are generated on a per passenger basis.

The aggregate cost of our operations depends primarily on the size and asset mix of the fleet. Our operating costs and expenses are grouped into the following categories:

 

   

personnel (includes wages, benefits, payroll taxes, savings plans, subsistence and travel);

 

   

repairs and maintenance (primarily routine activities as well as helicopter refurbishments and engine and major component overhauls that are performed in accordance with planned maintenance programs);

 

   

insurance (the cost of hull and liability insurance premiums and loss deductibles);

 

   

fuel;

 

   

leased-in equipment (includes the cost of leasing helicopters and equipment); and

 

   

other (primarily base expenses, property, sales and use taxes, communication costs, freight expenses, and other).

We engage a number of third-party vendors to maintain the engines and certain components on some of our helicopter models under programs known as “power-by-hour” maintenance contracts. These programs require us to pay for the maintenance service ratably over the contract period, typically based on actual flight hours. Power-by-hour providers generally bill monthly based on hours flown in the prior month, the costs being expensed as incurred. In the event we place a helicopter in a program after a maintenance period has begun, it may be necessary to pay an initial buy-in charge based on hours flown since the previous maintenance event. This buy-in charge is normally recorded as a prepaid expense and amortized as an operating expense over the remaining power-by-hour contract period. If a helicopter is sold or otherwise removed from a program before the scheduled maintenance work is carried out, we may be able to recover part of our payments to the power-by-hour provider, in which case we record a reduction to operating expense when we receive the refund.

Our policy of expensing all repair costs as incurred, may result in operating expenses varying substantially when compared with a prior year or prior quarter if a disproportionate number of refurbishments or overhauls are undertaken. This variation can be exacerbated by the timing of entering or exiting third-party power-by-hour programs.

For helicopters that we contract-lease to third parties under arrangements whereby the customer assumes operational responsibility, we often provide maintenance and parts support but generally we incur no other material operating costs. In most instances our contract-leases require clients to procure adequate insurance but we purchase contingent hull and liability coverage to mitigate the risk of a client’s coverage failing to respond. In some instances we provide crews and other services to support our contract-lease customers.

Prior to our entry into a senior secured revolving credit facility on December 22, 2011, we participated in a cash management program whereby certain of our operating and capital expenditures were funded through

 

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advances from SEACOR and certain cash collections of ours were forwarded to SEACOR. We incurred interest on the outstanding advances, which is reported as interest expense on advances from SEACOR in our consolidated statements of operations. Interest was calculated and settled on a quarterly basis using interest rates set at the discretion of SEACOR. Following our entry into a senior secured revolving credit facility, we no longer participate in this cash management program.

SEACOR provides certain administrative support services to us under a shared services arrangement, including payroll processing, information systems support, benefit plan management, cash disbursement support, cash receipt processing and treasury management. We are charged for our share of actual costs incurred, generally based on volume processed or units supported. On December 30, 2011, we entered into a transition services agreement, providing for the same services described above, pursuant to which, SEACOR continues to provide these administrative support services. See “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Agreements with SEACOR—Transition Services Agreement.”

SEACOR incurs costs in providing its operating segments with certain corporate services including executive oversight, risk management, legal, accounting and tax, and charges quarterly management fees to its operating segments in order to cover such costs. Total management fees charged by SEACOR to its operating segments include actual corporate costs incurred plus a mark-up and are generally allocated within the consolidated group using income-based performance metrics reported by an operating segment in relation to SEACOR’s other operating segments. The costs we incurred for management fees from SEACOR are reported as SEACOR management fees in our consolidated statements of operations. Effective January 1, 2012, SEACOR will continue to provide these corporate services under the transition services agreement for a fixed initial quarterly charge of $500,000.

Upon completion of this offering, we expect to incur additional compensation-related expenses in connection with options to purchase shares of our Class A common stock and awards of restricted stock units held by certain of our executive officers and directors. For additional information on these options to purchase our Class A common stock, see “Management—Director Compensation” and “Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Compensation of the President and Chief Executive Officer (the Principal Executive Officer), Chief Financial Officer (the Principal Financial Officer), Chief Operating Officer and Vice President—Finance (the Principal Accounting Officer).”

 

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Results of Operations

 

     For the years ended December 31,  
     2011     2010     2009  
     Amount     Percent     Amount     Percent     Amount     Percent  
     $’000    

 

%

    $’000     %     $’000     %  

Operating Revenues:

            

United States

     185,677            72        178,656        76        201,344        85   

Foreign

     72,471        28        56,710        24        34,323        15   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     258,148        100        235,366        100        235,667        100   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Costs and Expenses:

            

Operating:

            

Personnel

     61,527        24        58,835        25        63,195        27   

Repairs and maintenance

     49,756        19        44,195        19        40,523        18   

Insurance and loss reserves

     8,479        3        9,114        4        9,867        4   

Fuel

     20,131        8        15,083        6        16,812        7   

Leased-in equipment

     2,003        1        2,052        1        2,811        1   

Other

     20,811        8        17,954        8        14,747        6   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     162,707        63        147,233        63        147,955        63   

Administrative and general

     31,893        12        25,798        11        21,396        9   

Depreciation

     42,612        17        43,351        18        37,358        16   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     237,212        92        216,382        92        206,709        88   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gains on Asset Dispositions and Impairments, net

     15,172        6        764               316          
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating Income

     36,108        14        19,748        8        29,274        12   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other Income (Expense):

            

Interest income

     738               109               52          

Interest expense

     (1,376     (1     (94            (13       

Interest expense on advances from SEACOR

     (23,410     (9     (21,437     (9     (20,328     (9

SEACOR management fees

     (8,799     (3     (4,550     (2     (5,481     (2

Derivative gains (losses), net

     (1,326            (118            266          

Foreign currency gains (losses), net

     516               (1,511            1,439        1   

Other, net

     9               50                        
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     (33,648     (13     (27,551     (11     (24,065     (10
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (Loss) Before Income Tax Expense (Benefit) and Equity in Earnings (Losses) of 50% or Less Owned Companies

     2,460        1        (7,803     (3     5,209        2   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income Tax Expense (Benefit):

            

Current

     (17,905     (7     (46,315     (19     (29,409     (13

Deferred

     18,339        7        42,014        18        32,292        14   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     434               (4,301     (1     2,883        1   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (Loss) Before Equity in Earnings (Losses) of 50% or Less Owned Companies

     2,026        1        (3,502     (2     2,326        1   

Equity in Earnings (Losses) of 50% or Less Owned Companies

     82               (137            (487       
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Income (Loss)

     2,108        1        (3,639     (2     1,839        1   

Accretion of Redemption Value on Series A Preferred Stock

     210                                      
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Common Shares

     1,898        1        (3,639     (2     1,839        1   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Operating Revenues by Service Line. The following table sets forth, for the years indicated, the amount of operating revenues by service line.

 

     Years Ended December 31,  
     2011      2010      2009  
     Amount     Percent      Amount     Percent      Amount     Percent  
     $’000     %      $’000     %      $’000     %  

Operating Revenues:

              

U.S. Gulf of Mexico, primarily from oil and gas activities

     119,149        46         112,458        48         121,335        51   

Alaska, primarily from oil and gas activities

     23,602        9         28,188        12         25,183        11   

Contract-leasing

     72,700        28         57,538        24         35,441        15   

Air Medical Services

     25,836        10         22,208        9         37,244        16   

Flightseeing

     6,861        3         6,437        3         6,957        3   

FBO

     10,406        4         8,912        4         10,729        5   

Eliminations

     (406             (375             (1,222     (1
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 
     258,148        100         235,366        100         235,667        100   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Year Ended December 31, 2011 compared with Year Ended December 31, 2010

Operating Revenues. Operating revenues were $22.8 million higher for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared with the year ended December 31, 2010. Operating revenues in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico were $6.7 million higher primarily due to a $7.3 million increase from search and rescue activities which began in late 2010 and a $9.9 million increase from higher oil and gas related activities, including fuel billings as a result of higher prices. The increases were partially offset by a $10.5 million decrease in operating revenues for activity in support of the Oil Spill Response activities relating to the BP Macondo well incident in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico following the sinking of the semi-submersible drilling rig Deepwater Horizon in April 2010 (the “Oil Spill Response”). Operating revenues in Alaska were $4.6 million lower primarily due to the temporary suspension of a contract with a major oil and gas customer whose operations are expected to resume in 2012. Operating revenues from contract-leasing activities increased by $15.2 million as additional medium and heavy helicopters were placed on international contract-leases. As of December 31, 2011, 41 aircraft were dedicated to the contract-leasing market compared with 39 as of December 31, 2010. Operating revenues from air medical services increased by $3.6 million primarily due to $1.1 million of additional revenues generated from a new hospital contract and a $2.7 million increase in activity in support of an existing patient-pay customer. Operating revenues for the FBO were $1.5 million higher primarily due to an increase in fuel sales prices.

Operating Expenses. Operating expenses were $15.5 million higher for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared with the year ended December 31, 2010. Personnel costs were $2.7 million higher as additional personnel were added to support the increased activity discussed above. Repair and maintenance costs increased by $5.6 million primarily due to enrolling additional helicopters in power-by-hour maintenance programs. Fuel costs increased by $5.0 million primarily due to an increase in the price of fuel. Other operating expenses were $2.9 million higher primarily due to a $1.9 million increase in support of search and rescue activities, which began in late 2010, a $0.4 million increase from higher air medical activities and a $2.3 million increase as a result of providing more parts and repair services to contract-leasing customers. These increases were partially offset by the receipt of $1.9 million in insurance reimbursements relating to the 2008 Hurricanes Gustav and Ike, following final settlement with our insurance carriers. In addition, insurance and loss reserves were $0.6 million lower primarily due to the receipt of a good experience credit from our hull and machinery underwriters.

Administrative and General. Administrative and general expenses were $6.1 million higher for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared with the year ended December 31, 2010 primarily due to $4.0 million in severance

 

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costs associated with a change in executive management, a $1.1 million increase in wage and benefit costs, a $0.6 million increase in information technology costs and a $0.5 million increase in costs related to international business development and joint venture activities.

Depreciation. Depreciation expenses was $0.7 million lower for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared with the year ended December 31, 2010 primarily due to a change in estimate of the useful life and salvage value of helicopters, which reduced depreciation expense by $7.6 million, partially offset by the addition of new and higher cost equipment. Effective July 1, 2011, we changed the estimated useful life and salvage value for helicopters from 12 to 15 years and 30% to 40%, respectively, due to improvements in new aircraft models that continue to increase their long-term value and make them viable for operation over a longer period of time.

Gains on Asset Dispositions and Impairments, Net. During 2011, we sold ten helicopters and other equipment and received insurance proceeds related to the loss of an aircraft. We received net proceeds of $26.0 million on the disposition of these assets, including insurance proceeds, and had gains of $16.3 million of which $14.3 million was recognized currently and $2.0 million was deferred. In addition, we recognized previously deferred gains of $0.7 million and a gain of $1.3 million from insurance proceeds relating to the loss of an aircraft. During 2010, we sold two helicopters and other equipment for net proceeds of $0.9 million and gains of $0.5 million. In addition, we recognized previously deferred gains of $0.6 million and recognized a loss of $0.3 million relating to the impairment of four EC120 helicopters.

Operating Income. Excluding gains on asset dispositions and impairments, operating income as a percentage of operating revenues was consistent in both periods at 8%.

Interest expense on advances from SEACOR. Interest expense on advances from SEACOR was $2.0 million higher in 2011 primarily due to higher advances.

SEACOR management fees. SEACOR management fees represent various corporate costs incurred by SEACOR, which are in turn charged to all of its operating segments. These fees are allocated using income-based performance metrics of us in relation to SEACOR’s other operating segments. SEACOR management fees for the year ended December 31, 2011 were $8.8 million compared with $4.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2010. The increase was primarily due to a higher proportion of SEACOR’s corporate costs being charged to us based on our results in comparison with SEACOR’s other operating segments. On December 30, 2011, we entered into an agreement with SEACOR to provide these services at a fixed rate of $2.0 million per annum beginning January 1, 2012. See “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Agreements with SEACOR—Transition Services Agreement.”

Derivative gains (losses), net. Derivative losses in 2011 were primarily the result of losses from interest rate swap agreements.

Foreign currency gains (losses), net. Foreign currency gains, net in 2011 were primarily due to the weakening of the U.S. dollar against the euro underlying certain cash balances. Foreign currency losses, net in 2010 were primarily due to a strengthening of the U.S. dollar against the euro underlying certain cash balances.

Income Tax Expense (Benefit). During the year ended December 31, 2011, our effective income tax rate was 17.6% primarily due to the recognition of an income tax benefit of $0.7 million on adjustments to deferred tax liabilities resulting from changes in state tax apportionment factors and an expense of $0.4 million as a result of allocated non-deductible SEACOR management fees. During the year ended December 31, 2010, our effective income tax rate was 55.1% primarily due to the recognition of an income tax benefit of $1.1 million on adjustments to deferred tax liabilities resulting from changes in state tax apportionment factors and a benefit of $0.3 million relating to participation in share award programs sponsored by SEACOR.

 

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Year Ended December 31, 2010 compared with Year Ended December 31, 2009

Operating Revenues. Operating revenues were $0.3 million lower for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared with the year ended December 31, 2009. Operating revenues in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico were $8.9 million lower primarily due to a $19.4 million decrease driven by a reduction in the number of helicopters operating in the region and lower flight hours supporting oil and gas activities following the Deepwater Horizon incident. These reductions were partially offset by revenues of $10.5 million generated by equipment contracted to the U.S. Coast Guard in support of the Oil Spill Response. Operating revenues in Alaska were $3.0 million higher primarily due to an increase in the number of helicopters on contract in support of oil and gas activities. Operating revenues from contract-leasing activities increased by $22.1 million as additional helicopters were placed on international contract-leases, primarily in Brazil. As of December 31, 2010, 39 helicopters were dedicated to the contract-leasing market compared with 35 as of December 31, 2009. Operating revenues from air medical services were $15.0 million lower due to the non-renewal of several contracts upon their conclusion. Operating revenues for the FBO were $1.8 million lower primarily due to the loss of a significant customer during 2009.

Operating Expenses. Operating expenses were $0.7 million lower for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared with the year ended December 31, 2009. Personnel costs were $4.4 million lower primarily due to a $4.1 million reduction in wage and benefit costs for air medical services in line with reduced activity and a $1.8 million reduction in crew subsistence costs in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico. These decreases were partially offset by a $1.7 million increase in wage and benefit costs in Alaska in support of additional helicopters on contract. Repair and maintenance costs were $3.7 million higher primarily due to a $5.8 million increase as additional aircraft were placed in power-by-hour maintenance contracts and a $4.2 million increase due to the timing of major repairs, partially offset by a $6.2 million reduction in maintenance spending in air medical services as a result of fewer contracts. Fuel expense decreased by $1.7 million primarily due to a reduction in FBO fuel sales. Other operating expenses were $3.2 million higher primarily due to the receipt of $5.7 million in insurance reimbursements in 2009 for expenses incurred following Hurricanes Gustav and Ike in 2008. This was partially offset by a $2.3 million reduction in costs attributable to a firefighting contract completed in 2009.

Administrative and General. Administrative and general expenses were $4.4 million higher for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared with the year ended December 31, 2009 primarily due to $2.1 million in higher wage and benefit costs and the 2009 reversal of a $1.5 million provision for doubtful accounts following its collection.

Depreciation. Depreciation expense was $6.0 million higher for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared with the year ended December 31, 2009 primarily due to the continued modernization of the fleet through the addition of new and higher cost equipment.

Operating Income. Operating income as a percentage of operating revenues was 8% in 2010 compared with 12% in 2009. The decrease was primarily due to the receipt of insurance proceeds in 2009 for expenses incurred in 2008 following Hurricanes Gustav and Ike and the 2009 reversal of a provision for doubtful accounts following its collection. Excluding the impact of these items, operating income as a percentage of operating revenues was 9% in 2009.

Interest expense on advances from SEACOR. Interest expense on advances from SEACOR was $1.1 million higher in 2010 due to both higher advances as well as higher average interest rates charged on the advances.

SEACOR management fees. These fees are allocated using income-based performance metrics of us in relation to SEACOR’s other operating segments. SEACOR management fees for the year ended December 31, 2010 were $4.6 million compared with $5.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2009. The reduction was

 

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primarily due to a lower proportion of SEACOR’s corporate costs being charged to us based on our results in comparison with SEACOR’s other operating segments.

Derivative gains (losses), net. Derivative losses in 2010 were the result of losses relating to the ineffective portion of forward currency exchange contracts. Derivative gains in 2009 were the result of gains relating to the ineffective portion of forward currency exchange contracts.

Foreign currency gains (losses), net. Foreign currency losses, net in 2010 were primarily due to a strengthening of the U.S. dollar against the euro underlying certain cash balances. Foreign currency gains, net in 2009 were primarily due to the weakening of the U.S. dollar against the euro underlying certain cash balances.

Income Tax Expense (Benefit). During the year ended December 31, 2010, our effective income tax rate was 55.1% primarily due to the recognition of an income tax benefit of $1.1 million on adjustments to deferred tax liabilities resulting from changes in state tax apportionment factors and a benefit of $0.3 million relating to participation in share award programs sponsored by SEACOR. During the year ended December 31, 2009, our effective income tax rate was 55.4% primarily due to the recognition of an income tax expense of $0.5 million as a result of allocated non-deductible SEACOR management fees and an expense of $0.2 million on adjustments to deferred tax liabilities resulting from changes in state tax apportionment factors. We expect that the charges under the transition services agreement between us and SEACOR will be fully deductible for income tax purposes. For more information regarding the transition services agreement, see “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Agreements with SEACOR—Transition Services Agreement.”

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Overview

Our ongoing liquidity requirements arise primarily from working capital needs, meeting our capital commitments and the repayment of debt obligations. In addition, we may use our liquidity to fund acquisitions or to make other investments. Sources of liquidity are cash balances and cash flows from operations and, from time to time, we may secure additional liquidity through the issuance of debt or borrowings under our senior secured revolving credit facility. Historically, SEACOR advanced substantial amounts of capital to us to fund our expenditures. Prior to entering into our senior secured revolving credit facility on December 22, 2011 we participated in a cash management program whereby certain of our operating and capital expenditures were funded through advances from SEACOR and certain cash collections were forwarded to SEACOR. As a consequence of this arrangement, we have historically maintained minor cash balances. On December 23, 2011, we issued 1,400,000 shares of our Series A preferred stock to SEACOR in exchange for $140.0 million of aggregate advances previously provided to us by SEACOR. SEACOR also contributed an additional $180.0 million of capital to us in respect of additional prior advances. Holders of our Series A preferred stock are entitled to receive quarterly cash dividends at the rate of 6% per annum from the date of issuance. On December 22, 2011, we entered into a $350.0 million senior secured revolving credit facility of which $252.0 million was outstanding as of December 31, 2011. We used $242.3 million ($199.7 million paid to SEACOR on December 23, 2011 and $42.6 million paid to SEACOR on February 9, 2012) million of these borrowings to settle our outstanding SEACOR advances as described in “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Relationship with SEACOR” and the remaining amounts under our senior secured revolving credit facility are available to fund working capital needs. We do not expect SEACOR to continue to advance us any capital. In addition, we expect to use the net proceeds of this offering to redeem outstanding shares of our Series A preferred stock as described in “Use of Proceeds.” On February 29, 2012, we drew an additional $15.0 million under our senior secured revolving credit facility for capital expenditures and working capital requirements.

Our unfunded capital commitments as of December 31, 2011, consisted primarily of helicopters. These commitments totaled $101.4 million, of which $60.6 million is payable in 2012. Of the unfunded capital commitments, $43.6 million may be terminated without further liability other than the payment of liquidated damages of $1.4 million in the aggregate. Delivery dates on the remaining commitments have yet to be determined. In addition, we had outstanding options to purchase up to an additional 15 AW139 medium helicopters. If these options are exercised, the helicopters will be delivered beginning in 2012 through 2015.

 

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Subsequent to December 31, 2011, we committed to purchase one additional EC225 heavy helicopter and other equipment for $29.6 million. We expect to finance the remaining acquisition costs through a combination of cash on hand, cash provided by operating activities and borrowings under our new senior secured revolving credit facility.

Cash Flows

Summary of Cash Flows

 

     Years Ended December 31,  
     2011     2010     2009  
     (in thousands)  

Cash provided by or (used in):

      

Operating Activities

   $ 40,930      $ 83,743      $ 57,234   

Investing Activities

     (149,089     (132,549     (64,116

Financing Activities

     183,094        46,963        9,386   

Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash and Cash Equivalents

     489        (1,768     (1,396
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents

   $ 75,424      $ (3,611   $ 1,108   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash Flows from Operating Activities

Cash flows provided by operating activities decreased by $42.8 million during the year ended December 31, 2011 compared with the year ended December 31, 2010. Cash flows provided by operating activities increased by $26.5 million during the year ended December 31, 2010 compared with the year ended December 31, 2009. The components of cash flows provided by operating activities during the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 were as follows:

 

     Years Ended December 31,  
     2011     2010     2009  
     (in thousands)  

Operating income before depreciation and gains on asset dispositions and impairments, net

   $ 63,548      $ 62,335      $ 66,316   

Changes in operating assets and liabilities before interest and income taxes

     (8,977     327        (11,893

Dividends received from 50% or less owned companies

     1,236                 

Interest paid, excluding capitalized interest

     (24,524     (21,516     (20,341

Benefit on net tax operating losses purchased by SEACOR

     18,236        47,016        30,346   

Income taxes paid, net of refunds

     (557     (65     (176

SEACOR management fees

     (8,799     (4,550     (5,481

Other

     767        196        (1,537
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total cash flows provided by operating activities

   $ 40,930      $ 83,743      $ 57,234   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income before depreciation and gains on asset dispositions and impairments, net was $1.2 million higher in the year ended December 31, 2011 compared with the year ended December 31, 2010, primarily due to a $15.2 million increase in revenues from contract leasing activities and a $6.7 million increase in revenues from U.S. Gulf of Mexico activity related to search and rescue and fuel billings offset by a $10.5 million decline in revenues due to decreased activity in support of the Oil Spill Response, an increase in repair and maintenance costs of $5.6 million and higher fuel costs of $5.0 million.

Operating income before depreciation and gains on asset dispositions and impairments, net was $4.0 million lower during the year ended December 31, 2010 compared with the year ended December 31, 2009, primarily due to $2.1 million of higher administrative wage and benefit costs and the 2009 reversal of a $1.5 million provision for doubtful accounts following its collection.

 

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During the year ended December 31, 2011, changes in operating assets and liabilities before interest and income taxes used cash flows of $9.0 million primarily due to increases in working capital due to the settlement of derivative positions and the addition of helicopters placed in power-by-hour maintenance programs.

During the year ended December 31, 2009, changes in operating assets and liabilities before interest and income taxes used cash flows of $11.9 million, primarily due to increases in working capital as additional helicopters were placed in power-by-hour maintenance programs.

Cash Flows from Investing Activities

During the year ended December 31, 2011, net cash used in investing activities was $149.1 million primarily as follows:

 

   

Capital expenditures were $158.9 million, which consisted primarily of helicopter acquisitions.

 

   

Proceeds from the disposition of property and equipment were $26.0 million.

 

   

Cash settlements on derivative transactions, net were $6.1 million.

 

   

Investments in, and advances to, 50% or less owned companies were $21.8 million.

During the year ended December 31, 2010, net cash used in investing activities was $132.5 million primarily as follows:

 

   

Capital expenditures were $130.8 million, which consisted primarily of helicopter acquisitions.

 

   

Proceeds from the disposition of property and equipment were $0.9 million.

 

   

Investments in, and advances to, 50% or less owned companies were $3.2 million.

 

   

Returns of investments and advances from 50% or less owned companies were $1.0 million.

During the year ended December 31, 2009, net cash used in investing activities was $64.1 million primarily as follows:

 

   

Capital expenditures were $90.8 million, which consisted primarily of helicopter acquisitions.

 

   

Proceeds from the dispositions of property and equipment were $26.0 million.

 

   

Returns of investments and advances from 50% or less owned companies were $0.9 million.

 

   

Net principal receipts from third-party notes receivable were $0.9 million.

Cash Flows from Financing Activities

Prior to entering into our senior secured revolving credit facility on December 22, 2011, we participated in a cash management program whereby certain of our operating and capital expenditures were funded through advances from SEACOR and certain cash collections of ours were forwarded to SEACOR. Our cash flows from financing activities were therefore primarily the result of the net cash advances received from SEACOR and vary primarily based on the timing of our capital expenditures.

During the year ended December 31, 2011, net cash received from financing activities was $183.1 million, which included repayments to SEACOR of $63.2 million, proceeds from borrowings under our senior secured revolving credit facility of $249.0 million, net of $3.0 million of transaction costs, and scheduled payments on long term debt of $2.7 million.

During the year ended December 31, 2010, net cash received from financing activities was $47.0 million, of which $8.4 million was the result of advances from SEACOR and $38.7 million was for the issuance of secured bank debt to finance the acquisition of two helicopters.

During the year ended December 31, 2009, net cash received from financing activities was $9.4 million, all of which was the result of advances from SEACOR.

 

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Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility

On December 22, 2011, we entered into a $350.0 million senior secured revolving credit facility that matures in December 2016 and is secured by substantially all of our tangible and intangible assets. The senior secured revolving credit facility provides us with the ability to borrow up to $350.0 million with sublimits of up to $50.0 million for letters of credit and up to $25.0 million for swingline advances, subject to the terms and conditions specified in the senior secured revolving credit facility agreement. Under certain circumstances the senior secured revolving credit facility may be increased by up to an additional $100 million. Borrowings under the senior secured revolving credit facility are to be used for general corporate purposes. The senior secured revolving credit facility expires by its terms on December 22, 2016. Borrowings under the senior secured revolving credit facility bear interest at a rate per annum equal to, at our election, either a “base rate” or LIBOR, as defined, plus an applicable margin. The “base rate” is defined as the highest of: (a) the Prime Rate, as defined; (b) the Federal Funds Effective Rate, as defined, plus 50 basis points; or (c) a daily LIBOR, as defined, plus an applicable margin. The applicable margin is based on our funded debt to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”), as defined, and ranges from 100 to 160 basis points on the “base rate” margin and 210 to 285 basis points on the LIBOR margin. The applicable margin as of December 31, 2011, was 140 basis points on the “base rate” margin and 260 basis points on the LIBOR margin. In addition we are required to pay a quarterly commitment fee based on the average unfunded portion of the committed amount at a rate based on our funded debt to EBITDA, as defined, and ranges from 25 to 50 basis points, and as of December 31, 2011 the commitment fee was 50 basis points.

We may prepay borrowings under the senior secured revolving credit facility or reduce the committed amounts without penalty. We may be required to prepay borrowings under certain circumstances.

Repayment of borrowings and performance of other obligations of us under the senior secured revolving credit facility are guaranteed by our wholly-owned U.S. subsidiaries as well as the non-U.S. subsidiaries owning mortgaged helicopters. In general, our borrowings and other obligations under the senior secured revolving credit facility and related loan documents, and the guaranty obligations of the guarantors, are secured, subject to certain exceptions, by substantially all of our tangible and intangible assets and of each guarantor (including, without limitation, helicopters) pursuant to the terms of collateral documents.

The senior secured revolving credit facility requires us to maintain certain financial ratios, including a minimum interest coverage ratio of 3.0 to 1.0; maximum funded debt to EBITDA ratio of 4.0 to 1.0 (provided, however, that upon the successful placement of a qualified notes offering, we shall be required to maintain a maximum funded debt to EBITDA ratio of 5.0 to 1.0); a maximum funded debt to the value of all owned helicopters ratio of 60%; a minimum of the aggregate value of mortgaged helicopters, accounts receivable and inventory to funded debt of 120%; and a minimum of the aggregate value of United States registered helicopters, accounts receivable and inventory to funded debt ratio of 60%. In the event of a successful qualified notes offering, we would also be required to maintain a maximum secured funded debt to EBITDA ratio of 3.0 to 1.0 through December 31, 2012 and 2.5 to 1.0 thereafter.

The senior secured revolving credit facility contains representations and warranties as well as a number of additional affirmative and negative covenants, including limitations on the incurrence of additional indebtedness, liens, asset sales, distributions, mergers, consolidations, investments, transactions with affiliates, negative pledges, modifications to certain material documents, acquisitions, change of control, ERISA events, perfection and priority of collateral, solvency, and matters related to helicopters (including covenants related to registration and de-registration events, purchase of additional helicopters, visitation rights and maintenance and repair, and loss, destruction or requisition). In addition, the senior secured revolving credit facility prohibits the payment of dividends on our common stock for one year, until December 22, 2012. Generally, dividends thereafter on our common stock and at all times on our preferred stock may be declared and paid quarterly provided we are in compliance with the various covenants of the senior secured revolving credit facility. In addition, the dividend amount in the case of our common stock, may not exceed 20% of our net income for the previous four

 

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consecutive quarters and in the case of our preferred stock, at least $50.0 million must be available under our senior secured credit facility after such payments are made.

The senior secured revolving credit facility contains events of default including: nonpayment of principal, interest or other amounts when due; inaccuracy in any material respect of the representations and warranties made by us or the guarantors; defaults in the performance of specified covenants; cross-defaults with certain other indebtedness; certain judgments are made or ordered; the occurrence of certain bankruptcy or insolvency events; and the occurrence of a Change of Control or Material Adverse Change (as defined in the Agreement). Generally, upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an event of default under the senior secured revolving credit facility, the lenders’ obligations to make the facility available ceases and the lenders may, by notice to us, terminate their commitments and declare all loans and other obligations under the facility immediately due and payable. A bankruptcy or insolvency event of default causes all loans under the facility automatically to become due and payable. Following the occurrence of an event of default, the administrative agent for the benefit of the lenders may take possession of and/or sell the collateral securing the borrowing and other obligations of us and the guarantors under the facility.

As of December 31, 2011, we had $252.0 million outstanding under the senior secured revolving credit facility at an annual rate of 3.23% and had no issued letters of credit. The remaining amounts under our senior secured revolving credit facility are available to fund working capital needs. On February 29, 2012, we drew an additional $15.0 million under the senior secured revolving credit facility.

Short and Long-Term Liquidity Requirements

Current economic conditions have continued to disrupt the credit markets. To date, our liquidity has not been materially impacted by the current credit environment and management does not expect that we will be materially impacted in the near future. We anticipate that we will continue to generate positive cash flows from operations and that these cash flows will be adequate to meet our working capital requirements. To support our capital expenditure program and/or other liquidity requirements, we may use operating cash flow, cash balances or proceeds from sales of assets, issue debt, borrow under our senior secured revolving credit facility or any combination thereof.

Our availability of long-term financing is dependent upon our ability to generate operating profits sufficient to meet our requirements for working capital, capital expenditures and a reasonable return on investment. We believe that earning such operating profits will permit us to maintain our access to favorably priced financing arrangements. Management will continue to closely monitor our liquidity and the credit markets.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

On occasion, we and our partners will guarantee certain obligations on behalf of our joint ventures. As of December 31, 2011, we had no such guarantees in place.

Contractual Obligations and Commercial Commitments

The following table summarizes our contractual obligations and their aggregate maturities as of December 31, 2011 (in thousands):

 

     Payments Due By Period  
     Total      Less than
1 Year
     1-3
Years
     3-5 Years      After
5 Years
 
     (in thousands)  

Contractual Obligations:

              

Long-term Debt (1)

   $ 332,342       $ 12,005       $ 23,747       $ 296,590       $   

Capital Purchase Obligations (2)

     101,413         60,621                 40,792           

Operating Leases (3)

     13,971         1,987         3,809         3,428         4,747   

Purchase Obligations (4)

     4,655         4,655                           

Other (5)

     2,318         1,942         334         42           
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 454,699       $ 81,210       $ 27,890       $ 340,852       $ 4,747   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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(1) Maturities of our borrowings and interest payments pursuant to such borrowings are based on contractual terms.
(2) Capital purchase obligations represent commitments for the purchase of property and equipment as of December 31, 2011. Such commitments relate to orders we had placed as of December 31, 2011 for twelve new helicopters, consisting of one Eurocopter EC225 heavy helicopter, four AgustaWestland AW139 medium helicopters, five AgustaWestland AW169 light twin helicopters and two Eurocopter EC135 light twin helicopters. These commitments are not recorded as liabilities on our consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2011, as we have not yet received the goods or taken title to the property. Unfunded capital commitments as of December 31, 2011 consisted primarily of helicopters and totaled $101.4 million, of which $60.6 million is payable in 2012. Through December 31, 2011, we have paid $24.2 million in deposits for these helicopters. The EC225, AW139s and EC135s are scheduled to be delivered in 2012. Delivery dates for the AW169s have yet to be determined. Of these commitments, $43.6 million may be terminated without further liability other than the payment of liquidated damages of $1.4 million in the aggregate. Prior to December 31, 2011, we purchased seven helicopters for $86.9 million that will become operational in 2012. Subsequent to December 31, 2011, we committed to purchase one EC225 heavy helicopter and other equipment for $29.6 million.
(3) Operating leases primarily include leases of helicopters and other property that have a remaining term in excess of one year.
(4) Purchase obligations primarily include purchase orders for helicopter inventory and maintenance as of December 31, 2011. These commitments are for goods and services to be acquired in the ordinary course of business and are fulfilled by our vendors within a short period of time.
(5) Other primarily includes deferred compensation arrangements.

Qualitative and Quantitative Disclosures about Market Risk

We have entered into and settled positions in Euro-based forward currency exchange contracts designated as fair value hedges for capital purchase commitments. As of December 31, 2011, there were no forward currency exchange contracts designated as fair value hedges as all of the contracts matured or were dedesignated and we settled those contracts with SEACOR. As of December 31, 2011, we had capital purchase commitments of €72.6 million ($94.1 million). An adverse change of 10% in the underlying foreign currency exchange rate would increase the U.S. Dollar equivalent of the non-hedged purchase commitment by $9.4 million.

We maintained cash balances of €7.6 million as of December 31, 2011. An adverse change of 10% in the underlying foreign currency exchange rate would reduce net income by $0.6 million.

We had $252.0 million of variable rate borrowings, based on LIBOR under the senior secured revolving credit facility established on December 22, 2011. The borrowing rate at December 31, 2011 was 3.2%. A 10% increase in LIBOR would result in additional annual interest expense of $0.1 million, net of tax.

As of December 31, 2011, we had $35.9 million of variable rate debt due in 2015. These instruments bear a variable interest rate that resets every three months and is computed as the three-month LIBOR rate at the date of each reset plus 260 basis points. The interest rates reset quarterly. As of December 31, 2011, the interest rate on these borrowings was 3.15%. A 10% increase in the underlying LIBOR would raise the rate to 3.21%, reflecting a corresponding increase to gross interest expense of $20,000.

As of December 31, 2011, we had interest rate swap agreements with a notional value of $31.8 million. These agreements call for us to pay a fixed interest rate ranging from 1.67% to 1.83% and receive interest payments based on LIBOR. As of December 31, 2011, we had a liability of $1.0 million having marked to market our positions in these interest rate swap agreements.

Effects of Inflation

Our operations expose us to the effects of inflation. In the event that inflation becomes a significant factor in the world economy, inflationary pressures could result in increased operating and financing costs.

 

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INDUSTRY AND MARKET DATA

This prospectus includes industry and market data that we obtained from industry publications, third-party studies, recent press reports, filings of public companies in our industry and internal company reports. These sources include PFC Energy, Flightglobal and various publicly available press reports and articles. We have received permission to include the PFC Energy data provided herein and the other sources we used are publicly available and/or generally state that the information contained therein has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable. In addition, we believe and act as if such information is correct and reliable.

Overview

Helicopters are used for the transportation of personnel, light equipment, and supplies for a wide variety of industries, including offshore oil and gas, tourism, construction, forestry, mining, recreation and travel. In addition, they provide mission-critical services to law enforcement, search and rescue, firefighting and medical services organizations.

Helicopter Supply

The helicopter industry is capital intensive. According to Flightglobal, in recent years, manufacturers have delivered approximately 200 medium and 50 heavy helicopters per year, split between civilian and military customers. According to PFC Energy, there are four major original equipment manufacturers (“OEMs”): Bell Helicopter Textron, Eurocopter Group, Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation and AgustaWestland that together supply approximately 95% of civil turbine helicopters globally. The industry benefits from military spending to develop technology. The same OEMs that service military needs also service the civil helicopter market and adapt the military technology for use in their commercial helicopters. Helicopter orders typically are placed one to three years prior to the expected delivery. The industry is highly regulated and government-issued licenses and operating certificates must be obtained in order to operate aircraft within a specific country.

Helicopter Values

Typically, approximately 10% of the value of a medium or large helicopter is attributable to outfitting for industry specific requirements. The major components of helicopters, such as engines, gearboxes and transmissions typically account for 30% to 50% of a helicopter’s value. These helicopter parts are modular and easily reused on other aircraft. As a result, helicopters can retain much of their value if they are well-maintained. In addition, older models can be retrofitted with technologically advanced equipment, enhancing performance and extending productive life.

Helicopter Activities

Oil and Gas

According to PFC Energy, the oil and gas industry is serviced by three global operators, including us, with fleets in excess of 150 helicopters and at least 15 regional operators with fleets of less than 50 helicopters. PFC Energy market data indicates that the five largest helicopter operators own approximately 50% of the helicopters servicing the oil and gas industry, while the top 20 operators own 76% of the worldwide fleet. Many of the regional operators have developed exclusive relationships with large global operators. This provides the regional operators with access to global customer relationships and helicopters with new technology that they otherwise could not easily access given their limited resources.

As the offshore oil and gas industry has expanded, according to PFC Energy, demand for helicopters has increased because helicopters tend to be the primary form of transport for rig and platform crews and personnel providing special services during drilling operations. The key determinants of helicopter demand in the oil and

 

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gas aviation market are the number of manned offshore platforms, the number of crew on those platforms, and migration farther offshore. According to PFC Energy, as offshore drilling and production moves further offshore to deeper waters, it is expected that the industry will require additional helicopters to transport personnel and equipment to support larger, new infrastructure that operates at a higher level of activity. For example, newer offshore production infrastructure in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico requires more personnel and is typically farther away from the shore. This is in contrast to older platforms that either were unmanned or required fewer than ten people to operate. In addition, the shift to exploration in deeper water located farther offshore is expected to increase flight hours and drive demand for larger aircraft with greater range and passenger capacity.

Although shallow water activity in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico is not expected to increase materially in the near term, according to PFC Energy, global deepwater activity is expected to increase from 181 production platforms in 2011 to 300 platforms in 2020. Declining production of oil from onshore and shallow water fields have encouraged producers to increase exploration activity in deeper waters often located farther from shore making marine transportation of personnel less feasible. Except for the U.S. Gulf of Mexico and other offshore areas where weather and sea conditions tend to be benign, helicopters are typically the preferred method of transportation. In the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, helicopters are typically the preferred transportation option for distances greater than 50 kilometers from shore, according to PFC Energy.

According to PFC Energy, the number of deepwater rigs is expected to double from 2008 to 2020. Between 2001 and 2010, $541 billion was spent on deepwater fields according to PFC Energy. PFC Energy predicts that the spending will grow by 130% over the next decade, with oil and gas companies expected to spend $1.25 trillion between 2011 and 2020. In connection with the expected increase in deepwater activity by oil and gas companies in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, U.S. government inspectors are expected to require additional helicopter support services to monitor exploration and production activities.

U.S. Gulf of Mexico

The U.S. Gulf of Mexico is the largest market for helicopter services in the world with approximately 35% of the worldwide fleet, as of May 2011, according to PFC Energy. There are approximately 3,500 production platforms in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, of which 2,500 have helipads and approximately 1,000 are manned, according to PFC Energy. The Deepwater Horizon incident in April 2010 and the subsequent moratorium on offshore deepwater drilling caused a slowdown in exploration and drilling activity. Now that the moratorium has been lifted, near-term demand for helicopter operators to support exploration in the region is expected to improve. However it is not possible to estimate whether or when drilling operations in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico will return to activity levels comparable to those of years prior to the incident and the resulting moratorium.

Alaska

Alaska is a key growth market as production is expected to increase by 46% from 2010 to 2030 according to the Wood Mackenzie, Corporate Analysis Tool on September 16, 2011 (“WoodMackenzie”). Wood Mackenzie provides research products related to the global energy, mineral, and mining industries, and its Corporate Analysis Tool is a subscription-based, online interactive resource containing comprehensive data from company portfolios, ranking information, forward-looking production profiles and other such information that subscribers can access. Alaska produces oil and gas offshore in the Cook Inlet in the southern part of the state and in the Beaufort and Chukchi Seas of the Arctic Ocean to the north. Many onshore oil and gas installations are also dependent on helicopter support because of the remote and inhospitable terrain. Helicopters in this region have to be certified to operate safely in temperatures as low as minus 40° Celsius. For offshore operations, customers typically demand twin engine helicopters that carry sophisticated foul weather and survival gear for passengers. Over the past few years, a number of multinational oil companies have made large investments in leases to explore in the Chukchi Sea.

 

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Brazil

Industry sources indicate that Brazil currently is one of the largest markets for offshore helicopter services, expected to grow 10% annually from 2010 to 2020, according to WoodMackenzie. The recent significant discoveries in the Santos and Campos basins have already begun to spur new demand for oilfield services and, in turn, helicopter services. Between January 2009 and April 2011, over 30 discoveries were announced off the coast of Brazil. PFC Energy estimates there will be 92 helicopters operating for the Brazilian oil and gas industry at the end of 2011, with medium and heavy helicopters accounting for all but seven of these helicopters. There were 79 helicopters operating in the oil and gas sector at the end of 2010. All of the growth has been in medium and heavy helicopters. As exploration and production activity further develops, significant growth for helicopter services in this region is expected.

The North Sea

The North Sea currently represents the world’s second largest market for helicopter services, after the U.S. Gulf of Mexico. There are approximately 600 production platforms with helidecks, according to PFC Energy. Passenger loads tend to be larger than in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico with stringent operating requirements. Because of challenging conditions, North Sea helicopters are all twin engine models, and two pilots are required at all times. In addition, flights are always under instrument flight rules, and helicopters are required to have the latest safety and monitoring systems which are still optional in many other regions. Although the market for oil and gas production in the North Sea is mature and in long-term decline, recent new deepwater finds in Norway may offer growth opportunities for heavy helicopters in the area.

Other Markets

Helicopter service providers are seeking ways to expand into emerging, international oil and gas markets in Australia, India, Southeast Asia, and West Africa. Many of these regions lack significant existing helicopter infrastructure and services and, therefore, may represent growth opportunities for the industry. In Ghana and Malaysia, extensive offshore development programs have recently begun. According to the Australian Government Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism, Australia is the third largest liquified natural gas (“LNG”) exporter in the Asia-Pacific region and the fourth largest LNG exporter in the world, and there are several other major Australian LNG projects at various stages of development which will substantially increase production capacity when they come on line. In addition, recent industry news suggests that China is considering deepwater development in the South China Sea, and India has two deepwater discoveries off the Indian East Coast.

Search and Rescue Services

Until recently, search and rescue services were typically performed by government agencies. Now, due to over-burdened and underfunded national coastguards, these services are also provided by commercial operators. Search and rescue operations are technically demanding and require expensive specifically-outfitted helicopters and highly-trained crews, which makes it more complicated to enter this market.

Medical Services

Medical service providers are principally engaged in the transport of patients from accident sites to medical facilities and between medical facilities. Helicopters used for medical transportation are specially designed to accommodate emergency patients and medical equipment and are staffed by pilots, flight crews and paramedics.

 

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BUSINESS

Overview

We are one of the largest helicopter operators in the world and the longest serving helicopter transport operator in the United States, which is our primary area of operations. In 2011, approximately 46% and 16% of our total operating revenues were earned in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico and Alaska, respectively. We also provide helicopters and related services to third-party helicopter operators in other countries. In addition to our U.S. customers, we currently have customers in Brazil, Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Spain, Indonesia and India. As of December 31, 2011, our fleet consisted of 175 helicopters, most of which were used to transport personnel to and from, and between, offshore installations, drilling rigs and platforms. In addition, as of December 31, 2011, we have placed orders for twelve new helicopters, which we expect to be delivered in 2012. The primary users of our transport services are major integrated and independent oil and gas companies, and U.S. government agencies. In 2011, approximately 55% of our operating revenues were derived from helicopter services provided to clients primarily involved in oil and gas activities. In addition to serving the oil and gas industry, we provide air medical services, firefighting support, flightseeing tours in Alaska and emergency search and rescue services. Although our operations historically have primarily served the U.S. offshore oil and gas industry, in recent years we have made efforts to reduce our dependence on this market and take advantage of the mobility and versatility of our helicopters to expand into other geographic regions and to serve other industries.

We believe a key factor in optimizing results of operations is to maintain a versatile, modern fleet. We believe our borrowing capacity under a new senior secured revolving credit facility that we expect to enter into immediately prior to this offering and our strong relationships with original equipment manufacturers (“OEMs”) will position us well to add new helicopters to our fleet and upgrade existing helicopters, thereby maintaining an asset base suitable for use within our own operations and for contract-leasing to other operators. We also leverage our strong relationships with OEMs to support growth in other services, such as selling specialty equipment and accessories for helicopters, and training. OEMs generally support the aircraft through the sale of aftermarket parts and often may be able to offer a lower initial purchase price because the aftermarket part sales can offset the low initial purchase price. As a result, OEMs have a vested interest in aftermarket support and safety records.

We own and operate three classes of helicopters:

 

   

Heavy helicopters, which have twin engines and a typical passenger capacity of 19, are primarily used in support of the deepwater offshore oil and gas industry, frequently in harsh environments or in areas with long distances from shore, such as those in the North Sea and Australia. Heavy helicopters are also used to support search and rescue operations.

 

   

Medium helicopters, which mostly have twin engines and a typical passenger capacity of eleven to twelve, are primarily used to support the offshore oil and gas industry, search and rescue and air medical services, firefighting activities and corporate uses.

 

   

Light helicopters, which may have single or twin engines and a typical passenger capacity of four to nine, are used to support a wide range of activities, including shallow-water oil and gas exploration, development and production, the mining industry, power line and pipeline surveying, air medical services, tourism and corporate uses.

Medium and heavy helicopters fly longer distances at higher speeds and can carry heavier payloads than light helicopters and are usually equipped with sophisticated avionics permitting them to operate in more demanding weather conditions and difficult climates. Medium and heavy helicopters are most commonly used for crew changes on large offshore production facilities and drilling rigs servicing the oil and gas industry. They are the preferred helicopter in international offshore markets, where facilities tend to be larger, the drilling locations more remote, and onshore infrastructure more limited. As of December 31, 2011, we owned or operated a total of 175 helicopters, consisting of seven heavy helicopters, 65 medium helicopters, 58 single engine light helicopters and 45 twin engine light helicopters. As of December 31, 2011 in addition to our existing operating fleet we had purchased and were in

 

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possession of one heavy helicopter, four medium helicopters and two light twin helicopters, all of which will become operational in 2012. As of December 31, 2011, we had placed orders for one heavy helicopter, four medium helicopters and seven light twin helicopters and had outstanding options to purchase up to an additional 15 medium helicopters. Subsequent to December 31, 2011, we committed to purchase one heavy helicopter and other equipment.

In recent years we have developed helicopter contract-leasing opportunities to enter developing international markets. We contract-lease to third parties and foreign affiliates. We typically own a less than 50% percent interest in the foreign affiliates and their financial results are not consolidated with our financials. These third parties and affiliates in turn provide helicopter services to clients in their local markets. Under our contract-lease arrangements, operational responsibility is normally assumed by the lessee, which results in lower investment costs for overseas infrastructure. In certain countries, where we believe it is beneficial to access the local market for offshore helicopter support, we have entered into joint venture relationships. In July 2011, we acquired a 50% economic interest and 20% voting interest in a Brazilian entity that provides helicopter transport services to the Brazilian offshore oil and gas industry. As of December 31, 2011, we had on contract-lease eleven helicopters to this affiliate and provide support through, the supply of spare parts, logistical aid, and maintenance support. We also hold a 51% interest in Lake Palma, a joint venture that leases helicopters to FAASA, a Spain-based firefighting operator.

We provide a number of additional services through joint ventures that complement our core chartering and contract-leasing activities. We hold a 50% interest in our Dart joint venture, which is a sales and manufacturing organization based in Canada that engineers and manufactures after-market helicopter parts and accessories for sale to helicopter manufacturers and operators, and distributes parts and accessories on behalf of other manufacturers. We also hold a 50% interest in Era Training Center, a joint venture based in Lake Charles, Louisiana that provides instruction, flight simulator and other training to our employees, pilots working for third parties, other helicopter companies, including our competitors, and government agencies.

The safety of our passengers and the maintenance of a safe working environment for our employees is our number one operational priority. Our customers subject our operations to regular audits and evaluate us based on our safety record and operational fitness and we believe our attention to safety is a critical element in obtaining and retaining customers. We believe we have an excellent safety record and a strong safety culture throughout our organization. We have implemented a safety program that includes, among many other features, (i) transition and recurrent training using flight training devices, (ii) a Federal Aviation Administration (“FAA”) approved flight operational quality assurance program and (iii) health and usage monitoring systems, otherwise known as HUMS, which automatically monitor and report on vibrations and other anomalies on key components of certain helicopters in our fleet.

We are a subsidiary of SEACOR, a NYSE-listed company that is in the business of owning, operating, investing in, and marketing equipment, primarily in the offshore oil and gas, industrial aviation and marine transportation industries. Following completion of this offering, SEACOR will not own any shares of our Class A common stock and will own all of the issued and outstanding shares of our Class B common stock. SEACOR provides us with essential administrative support services for a transitional period pursuant to a transition services agreement. See “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Agreements with SEACOR—Transition Services Agreement.”

Competitive Strengths

We believe the following are our key competitive strengths:

Blended contract-leasing and operating business model—We believe, based on our industry experience and understanding of the business models of our competitors, the combination of operating helicopters and contract-leasing helicopters to other operators is a relatively distinctive business model in the helicopter services industry focusing on returns and profits over market share. We believe our operating business in the United States

 

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provides us a critical competitive benefit when offering helicopters to operators outside the United States. Our U.S. operations serve as a support center for clients outside of the United States and a market backstop when contracts end.

Our contract-leasing activities, which accounted for approximately 24% of our revenues in 2010, enable us to reach new geographical markets, create diverse uses for our helicopters and help maintain higher utilization than would otherwise be feasible. In addition, we can penetrate these markets without the cost associated with setting up a full service, proprietary operation. We also take advantage of spot market optionality since not all of our aircraft are covered by long-term contracts. Unlike financial leasing entities, we can work with clients that need aircraft for relatively short-term contracts. We also offer operational support, training, maintenance and access to our inventory of spare parts. We believe this blended business model allows a more efficient deployment of our capital resources.

Our diverse and modern fleet—We have one of the largest U.S.-based helicopter fleets and one of the largest fleets of helicopters operating on a global basis. As of December 31, 2011, our fleet consisted of 175 helicopters, of which 127 were located in the United States and 48 in international markets. As of December 31, 2011, we had twelve new helicopters on order and options for up to an additional 15 helicopters. We believe our size allows us to purchase helicopters and spare parts on attractive terms. We have funded our investment in new helicopters, in part, through the sale of older aircraft and by using cash generated from operations and funds invested by our parent, SEACOR.

Since the beginning of 2005, we have invested $937.0 million in property and equipment, of which $702.3 million was invested in helicopters, primarily in new Eurocopter EC225 heavy helicopters and AgustaWestland AW139 medium helicopters, which are mainly used in deepwater exploration and production operations. Over the same period, we disposed of 74 helicopters. We believe we will benefit from our relatively young fleet because newer aircraft generally command premium pricing and have enhanced safety features that customers prefer. With the modernization of our fleet, the average ages of our medium and heavy helicopters in our operating business have decreased from 23 years as of December 31, 2004 to 14 years, as of December 31, 2011. As of December 31, 2011, in addition to our existing fleet, we had purchased and were in possession of one Eurocopter EC225, two Eurocopter EC135s and four AgustaWestland AW139s, all of which will become operational in 2012. As of December 31, 2011, we had capital commitments of $101.4 million primarily consisting of one EC225 heavy helicopter, four AW139 medium helicopters, five AW169 light twin helicopters and two EC135 light twin helicopters. Of these commitments, approximately $43.6 million may be terminated without further liability other than the payment of liquidated damages of $1.4 million in the aggregate. In addition, we had outstanding options to purchase up to an additional 15 AW139 medium helicopters for $190.5 million. If these options are exercised, the helicopters will be delivered beginning in 2012 through 2015. Subsequent to December 31, 2011, we committed to purchase one Eurocopter EC225 heavy helicopter and other equipment for $29.6 million. We have funded our investment in new helicopters, in part, through the sale of older, less desirable aircraft at relatively high prices and we have received $159.3 million in proceeds from the sale of equipment since 2004.

High quality workforce—We have a highly skilled workforce of pilots and mechanics. Our pilots average over 6,800 hours of flight experience and a significant number of them are qualified to operate more than one type of helicopter. Our mechanics average over 16 years of experience and receive on-going training from both helicopter manufacturers and our in-house team of professional instructors.

Long-term customer relationships—We have strong, longstanding relationships with many of our key oil and gas industry customers and international clients. Our customers include major oil and gas companies such as Anadarko Petroleum Corporation, ExxonMobil Corporation and Shell Pipeline Company. We believe that our level of service, our technologically advanced fleet and our focus on safety have helped us establish and maintain our long-term customer relationships. As a result of our long-term customer relationships, we believe that customers look to us first as they grow and expand their helicopter services needs.

 

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Strong, experienced leadership team—Our executive management team has a broad range of domestic and international experience in the aviation industry. We believe this team has a proven track record of managing assets through market cycles and identifying, acquiring and integrating assets, while maintaining efficient operations. Our management team has also been successful in maintaining strong relationships with our customers.

Relationship with SEACOR—Our relationship with SEACOR provides us with the opportunity to cross-market our aviation services to SEACOR’s customers that require aviation support for their offshore oil and gas activities as well as opportunities to employ helicopters in support of emergency responses, such as the 2010 earthquake in Haiti. In addition, SEACOR provides us, and following consummation of this offering will continue to provide us, with a number of essential support functions, including payroll processing, information systems support, benefit plan management, cash disbursement support, cash receipt processing and treasury management. SEACOR charges us for these services generally based on volume processed or units supported. In addition, SEACOR provides us with certain corporate services including executive oversight provided by SEACOR’s senior management team in areas such as corporate strategies, business development and financing, risk management related to our insurance programs, legal, accounting and tax, for which it charges us a quarterly fee. On December 30, 2011 we entered into a transition services agreement pursuant to which SEACOR provides us with these corporate services. We expect our operations to remain the same following the consummation of the offering.

We will be billed for additional services based on hourly rates to be negotiated between us and SEACOR that will depend on the nature of the services to be provided.

Ability to maintain liquidity—We believe that maintaining liquidity will enable us to take advantage of opportunities as they arise. On December 22, 2011, we entered into a $350.0 million senior secured revolving credit facility of which $252.0 million was outstanding as of December 31, 2011. On February 29, 2012, we drew an additional $15.0 million under the senior secured revolving credit facility. We used $242.3 million of these borrowings to settle our outstanding SEACOR advances as described in “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Relationship with SEACOR,” and the remaining amounts under the senior secured revolving credit facility are available to fund working capital needs. We expect that our new revolving credit facility will provide us with sufficient liquidity following this offering, and that we will no longer require advances from SEACOR. We believe that the liquidity that we maintain through cash flow from operations and borrowings under our new senior secured revolving credit facility will provide us with the financial flexibility to expand our fleet and pursue opportunities to grow our business and also provides a hedge against any future adverse market conditions.

Strategy

Our goal is to be a leading, cost effective global provider of helicopter transport and related services. The following are our key business strategies:

Expand into new and growing geographic markets—We believe there are significant opportunities in offshore oil and gas markets outside of the United States, and we continually seek to access these growth markets. We recently acquired an interest in a local company servicing the Brazilian offshore oil and gas industry and to which we contract-lease helicopters and provide support services. We also have strong working relationships with operators in India, Argentina, China, Indonesia, Mexico and other foreign locations. We believe, based on our industry experience and understanding of the markets and the competitive landscape, that several of these markets are underserved by larger multinational helicopter operators and as a result provide us with significant opportunities for growth.

Further develop contract-leasing opportunities—We believe contract-leasing helps to provide stable cash flow and access to emerging, international oil and gas markets in Australia, India, Southeast Asia and West Africa. We believe customers look to us for helicopter contract-leasing because they know we have a modern, efficient fleet, with a selection of helicopter models to meet their needs. We intend to continue to develop and

 

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grow our participation in international markets where the fundamentals for helicopter demand are favorable, particularly to service offshore deepwater installations and new areas of exploration. We believe that the market for contract-leasing will continue to grow as smaller operators in developing areas prefer the limited financial commitments of contracting equipment over purchasing, which has become increasingly difficult for them given the reduction in capital being made available from financial institutions to these smaller operators. Under certain circumstances, we may elect to set up our own operations or acquire operating certificates if we believe there is sufficient opportunity in a market to warrant the cost and effort of us offering and overseeing a full service operation.

Continue selectively to expand and upgrade our versatile fleet—We regularly review our asset portfolio. We do this by assessing market conditions and changes in our customers’ demand for different helicopter models. As offshore oil and gas drilling and production move to deeper water in most parts of the world, we believe more medium and heavy helicopters, and new technology may be required in the future. We continually assess our fleet and adjust helicopter orders accordingly, ordering new equipment as demand dictates. See “—Equipment and Services.” We lease out, buy and sell equipment in the ordinary course of our business. We intend to continue to pursue opportunities to realize value from our fleet’s versatility by shifting assets between markets when circumstances warrant. For example, during the recent slowdown in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico that followed the Deepwater Horizon accident, we were able to shift some of our helicopters from that region to other oil and gas producing regions. In addition, we work with original equipment manufacturers to adapt and improve their designs, and from time to time, we may sell certain assets in response to fleet requirements or market opportunity. In addition, we have transformed our fleet significantly by reducing the average age of the fleet, increasing the size of our fleet and shifting its composition more towards the medium and heavy helicopters increasingly favored by the offshore oil and gas industry. See “—Equipment and Services.”

Pursue strategic acquisitions and joint ventures—Over the last few years, in addition to expanding and diversifying our fleet, we have grown our business and entered new markets through acquisitions and joint ventures. Since 2004, we have completed two business acquisitions and entered into several joint ventures and partnering arrangements. We regularly seek to identify potential acquisitions and joint venture opportunities. We believe we have a successful track record of completing and integrating acquisitions, and structuring joint ventures.

Diversify sources of earnings—We seek to develop additional sources of earnings and expand beyond our traditional helicopter transport services in the oil and gas industry. Our Dart joint venture engineers and manufactures after-market helicopter parts and accessories for sale to helicopter manufacturers and operators, and distributes parts and accessories on behalf of other manufacturers. Our Era Training Center joint venture provides instruction, flight simulator and other training to our employees, pilots working for third parties, other helicopter companies, including our competitors, and government agencies. We will continue to build upon the expertise, relationships and buying power in our operating businesses to develop other business opportunities and sources of revenue.

Equipment and Services

The following tables identify the types of helicopters that comprise our fleet as of December 31, 2011. “Owned” are those helicopters majority owned by us. “Joint Ventured” are those helicopters owned by entities in which we do not have a controlling interest. “Leased-in” are those helicopters leased-in under operating leases. “Managed” are those helicopters that are owned by non-affiliated entities and operated by us for a fee. As of December 31, 2011, 127 helicopters were located in the United States and 48 were located in foreign jurisdictions.

 

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As of December 31, 2011

  Owned  (1)     Joint
Ventured
    Leased-in     Managed     Total     Maximum
Passengers  (2)
    Cruise
Speed
(mph)
    Appr.
Range
(miles)
    Average
Age(3)
(Years)
 

Light helicopters—single engine:

                 

A119

    17        6                      23        7        161        270        5   

AS350

    32               3               35        5        138        361        15   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

         
    49        6        3               58           
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

         

Light helicopters—twin engine:

                 

A109

    7                      2        9        7        161        405        6   

BK-117

    3               4        4        11        9        150        336        27   

BO-105

    4                             4        4        138        276        21   

EC135

    13               2               15        7        138        288        4   

EC145

    3                      3        6        9        150        336        3   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

         
    30               6        9        45           
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

         

Medium helicopters:

                 

AW139

    25        1                      26        12        173        426        3   

Bell 212

    14                             14        11        115        299        33   

Bell 412

    6                             6        11        138        352        30   

Sikorsky 76 A/A++

    6               2        2        10        12        155        348        25   

Sikorsky 76 C/C++

    8                      1        9        12        161        348        5   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

         
    59        1        2        3        65           
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

         

Heavy helicopters:

                 

EC225

    7                             7        19        162        582        3   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

         
    145        7        11        12        175           
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

         

 

(1) Excludes one BO-105 removed from service, one EC225, two EC135s and four AW139s delivered in 2011 but not operational until 2012.
(2) In typical configuration for our operations.
(3) For owned fleet.

In addition to our existing fleet, as of December 31, 2011, we had placed orders for twelve new helicopters, consisting of one Eurocopter EC225 heavy helicopter, four AgustaWestland AW139 medium helicopters, five AgustaWestland AW169 light twin helicopters and two Eurocopter EC135 light twin helicopters. The EC225, AW139s and EC135s are scheduled to be delivered in 2012. Delivery dates for the AW169s have yet to be determined. In addition, we had outstanding options to purchase up to an additional 15 AW139 medium helicopters. If these options are exercised, the helicopters will be delivered beginning in 2012 through 2015. Subsequent to December 31, 2011, we committed to purchase one EC225 and other equipment.

The management of our global helicopters involves a careful evaluation of the expected demand for helicopter services across global oil and gas markets, including the type of helicopter needed to meet this demand. As offshore oil and gas drilling and production globally moves to deeper water, more medium and heavy helicopters and newer technology helicopters may be required. Our orders and options to purchase helicopters are primarily for medium and heavy helicopters. These capital commitments reflect our effort to meet customer demand for helicopters suitable for the deepwater market.

Medium and heavy helicopters fly longer distances at higher speeds and can carry heavier payloads than light helicopters and are usually equipped with sophisticated avionics permitting them to operate in more

 

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demanding weather conditions and difficult climates. Medium and heavy helicopters are most commonly used for crew changes on large offshore production facilities and drilling rigs servicing the oil and gas industry. They are the preferred helicopter in international offshore markets, where facilities tend to be larger, the drilling locations more remote, and onshore infrastructure more limited. As of December 31, 2011, we owned or operated a total of 175 helicopters, consisting of seven heavy helicopters, 65 medium helicopters, 58 single engine light helicopters and 45 twin engine light helicopters. As of December 31, 2011, in addition to our existing fleet, we had purchased and were in possession of one heavy helicopter, four medium helicopters and two light twin helicopters, all of which will become operational in 2012. As of December 31, 2011, we had placed orders for one heavy helicopter, four medium helicopters and seven light twin helicopters with options to purchase up to an additional 15 medium helicopters under our existing supply agreements. Subsequent to December 31, 2011, we committed to purchase one heavy helicopter and other equipment.

In recent years we have developed helicopter contract-leasing opportunities to enter developing international markets. We contract-lease to third parties and foreign affiliates in which we typically own a less than 50% percent interest and whose financial results are not consolidated with our financials. These third parties and affiliates in turn provide helicopter services to clients in their local markets. Under our contract-lease arrangements, operational responsibility is normally assumed by the lessee, which results in lower investment costs for overseas infrastructure. In certain countries, where we believe it is beneficial to access the local market for offshore helicopter support, we have entered into joint venture relationships. In July 2011, we acquired a 50% economic interest and 20% voting interest in a Brazilian entity that provides helicopter transport services to the Brazilian offshore oil and gas industry. As of December 31, 2011, we had on contract-lease eleven helicopters to this affiliate and provide support through the supply of spare parts, logistical aid, and maintenance support. We also hold a 51% interest in Lake Palma, a joint venture that leases helicopters to FAASA, a Spain-based firefighting operator.

In the United States, we provide and operate helicopters under contracts using a Federal Aviation Administration (“FAA”) issued Part 135 Air Operator’s Certificate (“AOC”) for a variety of activities, which are primarily offshore oil and gas exploration, development and production; air medical services; firefighting; flightseeing tours; and emergency response search and rescue. For contracts in the United States, we are required to provide a complete support package including flight crews, aircraft maintenance and management of flight operations.

In international markets, helicopters are typically operated using another operator’s AOC, frequently through contract-leases under which our customers handle all the operational support. Certain other international contracts require us to provide more limited operational support, which typically consists of pilot training and/or aircraft maintenance.

We provide a number of additional services through joint ventures that complement our core chartering and contract-leasing activities. We hold a 50% interest in our Dart joint venture, which is a sales and manufacturing organization based in Canada that engineers and manufactures after-market helicopter parts and accessories for sale to helicopter manufacturers and operators, and distributes parts and accessories on behalf of other manufacturers. We also hold a 50% interest in Era Training Center, a joint venture based in Lake Charles, Louisiana that provides instruction, flight simulator and other training to our employees, pilots working for third parties, other helicopter companies, including our competitors, and government agencies.

In Alaska we operate an FBO at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, leasing storage space and selling fuel and other services to a diverse group of general aviation companies and large corporations. In addition, we operate light and medium helicopters on the North Slope and around Prudhoe Bay in support of oil and gas exploration, development and production activities and inland in support of firefighting activities. We also operate light helicopters in a flightseeing operation, primarily in support of the cruise line industry providing passengers with glacier and dog-sled tours from Juneau and Denali.

 

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Our Markets

Our current principal markets for our transportation and search and rescue services to the offshore oil and gas exploration, development and production industry are in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico and Alaska. In addition, we currently conduct our international operations in support of oil and gas exploration, development and production activity, primarily in Brazil, parts of Europe, Asia and Mexico.

U.S. Markets. We are one of the largest suppliers of helicopter services in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico. We operate in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico from 15 bases in the area.

Our client base in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico consists of mostly international, independent and major integrated oil and gas companies. The U.S. Gulf of Mexico is a major offshore oil and gas producing region and the largest oil and gas aviation market in the world. According to PFC Energy, the U.S. Gulf of Mexico has approximately 3,500 production platforms, of which 2,500 have helipads and approximately 1,000 are manned. The deepwater platforms are serviced by medium and heavy aircraft. The shallow water platforms are typically unmanned and are serviced by light aircraft. Among our strengths in this region, in addition to our 15 operating bases, are our advanced proprietary flight-following systems, our Era Training Center training services, our maintenance operations and our search and rescue services.

We also have six operating bases in Alaska, where we also provide support for independent and major integrated oil and gas companies. In addition to supporting oil company activities in the Cook Inlet and along the North Slope of Alaska, we operate an FBO at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, provide summer flightseeing tours and support inland firefighting and mining operations. Despite the remote location of our Alaskan bases, they are strategically located to provide services to our customers. These bases frequently include crew accommodation, hangerage and fuel systems, all of which can be otherwise difficult or expensive to secure and maintain in such remote locations.

Our air medical services operations are primarily in the northeastern United States and Florida.

International Markets. We currently conduct our international operations in Brazil, Europe, Asia and other parts of Latin America. The following is a description of international operations.

 

   

Brazil and Latin America—Brazil has one of the largest deepwater offshore exploration and production areas in the world. We hold a 50% economic interest and 20% voting interest in Aeróleo, which we acquired in July 2011. Aeróleo was founded in 1968 to provide logistical air support to the Brazilian oil and gas industry, and has been active mainly in the Campos Basin, the largest offshore oilfield area in Brazil. Aeróleo has a network of seven operating bases distributed strategically in Brazil. As of December 31, 2011, Aeróleo had a fleet of 15 aircraft, of which three Eurocopter EC225 heavy helicopters and eight AgustaWestland AW139 medium helicopters are helicopters we contract-lease to Aeróleo. Aeróleo’s main customers are Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. and OGX Petroleo e Gas Participacoes S.A. We also contract-lease helicopters in Mexico to service the offshore oil and gas industry, and intend on remaining active in this region in the future.

 

   

Europe—We contract-lease helicopters and provide logistics and spare parts support to five operators in Europe. These helicopters are used in Sweden, Norway and the United Kingdom by operators providing search and rescue services, firefighting operations and oil and gas exploration support. We also hold a 51% interest in Lake Palma, a joint venture that leases helicopters to FAASA, a Spain-based firefighting operator.

 

   

Asia—We contract-lease helicopters, conduct training and provide logistics and spares support to several operators in the region. In India and Indonesia, we contract-lease helicopters to operators in the oil and gas industry. We have previously operated aircraft in the region and are actively marketing our services here.

 

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Demand for helicopters in support of the offshore oil and gas exploration, development and production, both in the United States and internationally, is affected by the level of offshore exploration and drilling activities, which in turn is influenced by a number of factors, including:

 

   

expectations as to future oil and gas commodity prices;

 

   

customer assessments of offshore drilling prospects compared with land-based opportunities;

 

   

customer assessments of cost, geological opportunity and political stability in host countries;

 

   

worldwide demand for oil and natural gas;

 

   

the ability of The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (“OPEC”) to set and maintain production levels and pricing;

 

   

the level of production of non-OPEC countries;

 

   

the relative exchange rates for the U.S. dollar; and

 

   

various United States and international government policies regarding exploration and development of oil and gas reserves.

Helicopter services to the oil and mining industries in Alaska are provided on a contract or charter basis from bases in Valdez, Anchorage, the Kenai area and Deadhorse. In addition to supporting oil company activities in the Cook Inlet and along the North Slope of Alaska, we operate an FBO at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, provide summer flightseeing tours and support inland firefighting and mining operations. our air medical services operations are primarily in the northeastern United States and Florida. In addition, we contract-lease helicopters primarily to foreign operators in a number of locations in support of a wide variety of activities, and, in some instances, support their operations with technical assistance, maintenance programs and sourcing of parts.

Customers and Contractual Arrangements

Our principal customers in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico are major integrated and independent exploration and production companies and U.S. government agencies, primarily BSEE. We provide helicopters to BSEE under contract and provide services including the provision of flight crews, aircraft maintenance and management of flight operations. In Alaska, our principal customers are oil and gas companies, mining companies and cruise line passengers. Internationally, we typically contract-lease helicopters to local helicopter companies that operate our helicopters under their operating certificates and retain the operating risk. These companies in turn provide helicopter transportation services to oil and gas companies and other governmental agencies.

During the year ended December 31, 2011, our top ten customers accounted for 59% of total revenues. In 2011, Anadarko Petroleum Corporation and Aeróleo each accounted for 10% or more of our total revenues. In 2010, Anadarko Petroleum Corporation, U.S government agencies and Aeróleo each accounted for 10% or more of our total revenues. In 2009, no single customer accounted for more than 10% of total revenues.

As of December 31, 2011, approximately 53% of our helicopters were utilized in support of customer contracts or services that require us to provide complete operational support. However, in recent years, we have developed contract-leasing opportunities to expand our business, particularly in international markets with local operators that already have regulatory approvals and infrastructure in place. Under these contract-lease arrangements, operational responsibility is normally assumed by the lessee.

We charter the majority of our helicopters primarily through master service agreements, subscription agreements, day-to-day charter arrangements and contract-leases. Master service agreements and subscription agreements typically require a fixed monthly fee plus incremental payments on flight hours flown. These agreements have fixed terms ranging from one month to five years and generally may be cancelled upon 30-days notice. Day-to-day charter arrangements call for either a combination of a daily fixed fee plus a charge based on

 

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hours flown or an hourly rate with a minimum number of hours to be charged. Contract-leases generally run from two to five years with no early cancellation provisions. Services provided under contract-leases can include only the equipment, or can include the equipment, logistical and maintenance support, insurance and personnel, or a combination thereof. The rate structure, as it applies to our oil and gas contracts, typically contains terms that limit our exposure to increases in fuel costs over a pre-agreed level. Fuel costs in excess of these levels are passed through to customers.

Air medical services are provided under contracts with hospitals that typically include either a fixed monthly and hourly rate structure or a fee per completed flight. We operate some air medical contracts pursuant to which we charge a fee per flight, either from a hospital or insurance company.

Other markets include international oil and gas industry support activities, agricultural support and general aviation activities.

With respect to flightseeing aircraft, block space is allocated to cruise lines and seats are sold directly to customers. Our fixed base operation sells fuel on an ad-hoc basis. Training revenues are charged at a set rate per training course and include instructors, training materials and flight or flight simulator time, as applicable.

Competition

The helicopter industry is highly competitive. There are, however, barriers to entry as customers rely heavily on existing relationships, an established safety record, knowledge of site characteristics and access to appropriate facilities. Customers evaluate us against our competitors based on a number of factors, including, price, safety record, reliability of service, availability, adaptability and type of equipment, the availability and flexibility to provide incremental aircraft and different models to those primarily required and operational experience.

We are one of the largest helicopter companies operating in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico and one of the largest operating in Alaska. In the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, we have many competitors, the three largest being: Bristow, PHI, Inc. and Rotorcraft Leasing Company LLC. Several customers in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico operate their own helicopter fleets in addition to smaller companies that offer services similar to ours. In Alaska, we compete against a large number of operators, including Evergreen Helicopters Inc., Petroleum Helicopters, Inc. and Bristow. In Brazil and other international regions where we operate, there could be several major competitors depending on the region. Our primary competitors in Brazil consist of Lider Aviação Holding S.A., OMNI Táxi Aéreo Ltda., Senior Taxi Aéreo Executivo Ltda. and Brazilian Helicopter Services Taxi Aéreo Ltda.

In air medical services, there are several major competitors with fleets dedicated to air medical operations including Air Methods Corporation, PHI, Inc. and Med Trans Air Medical Transportation. We compete against national and regional firms, and there is usually more than one competitor in each local market. In addition, we compete against hospitals that operate their own helicopters and, in some cases, against ground ambulances.

In most instances, an operator must have an acceptable safety record, demonstrated reliability and suitable equipment to bid for work. Among bidders meeting these criteria, customers typically make their final choice based on price and aircraft preference.

Our contract-leasing business competes against financial leasing companies, such as Milestone Aviation and GE Capital.

Regulation

Our operations are subject to significant United States federal, state and local regulations, as well as international conventions and the laws of foreign jurisdictions where we operate our equipment or where the equipment is registered. We hold the status of an air carrier under the relevant provisions of Title 49 of the Transportation Code and engage in the operating and contract-leasing of helicopters in the United States and as such we are subject to various regulations pursuant to the Transportation Code. We are governed principally by: (i) the economic regulations of the DOT, including Part 298 Registration as on On-Demand Air Taxi Operator

 

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approved by the DOT; and (ii) the operating regulations of the FAA Part 135 Air Taxi Certificate granted by the FAA. The DOT regulates our status as an air carrier, including our U.S. citizenship. The FAA regulates our flight operations and, in this respect, has jurisdiction over our personnel, aircraft, ground facilities and certain technical aspects of our operations. In addition to the FAA, the National Transportation Safety Board is authorized to investigate aircraft accidents and to recommend improved safety standards. We are also subject to the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, because of the use of radio facilities in our operations. Our FBO in Alaska is further subject to the oversight of the Anchorage International Airport.

Helicopters operating in the United States are subject to registration and their owners are subject to citizenship requirements under the Federal Aviation Act. This Act requires that before an aircraft may be legally operated in the United States, it must be owned by “citizens of the United States,” which, in the case of a corporation, means a corporation: (i) organized under the laws of the United States or of a state, territory or possession thereof, (ii) of which at least 75% of its voting interests are owned or controlled by persons who are “U.S. citizens” (as defined in the Federal Aviation Act and regulations promulgated thereunder), and (iii) of which the president and at least two-thirds of the Board of Directors and managing officers are U.S. citizens.

We also are subject to state and local regulations including, but not limited to, significant state regulations for our air medical services and search and rescue operations. In addition, our international operations, primarily helicopter contract-leasing and our joint ventures, are required to comply with the laws and regulations in the jurisdictions in which they conduct business.

Environmental Compliance

As more fully described below, our business is subject to federal, state, local and international laws and regulations relating to environmental protection and occupational safety and health, including laws that govern the discharge of oil and pollutants into navigable waters. Such laws include the federal Water Pollution Control Act, also known as the Clean Water Act, which imposes restrictions on the discharge of pollutants to the navigable waters of the United States. We are also subject to the Coastal Zone Management Act, which authorizes state development and implementation of certain programs to manage water pollution to restore and protect coastal waters. In addition, because our operations generate and, in some cases, involve the transportation of hazardous wastes, we are subject to the Federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, which regulates the generation, transportation, treatment, storage and disposal of hazardous and certain non-hazardous wastes. Violations of these laws, along with comparable state and local laws, may result in civil and criminal penalties, fines, injunctions or other sanctions. We are also subject to the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act and certain comparable state laws, which establish strict and, under certain circumstances, joint and several liabilities for specified parties in connection with liability for the investigation and remediation of releases of hazardous materials into the environment and damages to natural resources.

We believe that our operations are currently in material compliance with all environmental laws and regulations. We do not expect that we will be required to make capital expenditures in the near future that are material to our financial position or operations to comply with environmental laws and regulations; however, because such laws and regulations are frequently changing and may impose increasingly strict requirements, we cannot predict the ultimate cost of complying with these laws and regulations. The recent trend in environmental legislation and regulation is generally toward stricter standards, and it is our view that this trend is likely to continue.

We manage exposure to losses from the above-described laws through our efforts to use only well-maintained, well-managed and well-equipped facilities and equipment and our development of safety and environmental programs, including our insurance program. We believe these efforts will be able to accommodate all reasonably foreseeable environmental regulatory changes. There can be no assurance, however, that any future regulations or requirements or that any discharge or emission of pollutants by us will not have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position or our results of operations.

 

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Safety, Industry Hazards and Insurance

We are committed to safety, and we continually strive to provide safe, reliable and cost-efficient services. As an industry leader, we also look to provide innovative improvements to the overall safety environment in the markets in which we operate. In response to the U.S. Gulf of Mexico’s unique conditions, including limited radio coverage and rapidly changing weather conditions, we established an in-house VHF radio network and offshore weather stations and contributed to the introduction of SATCOM/GPS navigation equipment. These efforts culminated in our receiving industry and FAA recognition for our efforts as a major contributor to the success of the FAA’s Automated Dependent Surveillance—Broadcast (ADS-B) system. This system greatly improves safety through enhanced flight following, communications and weather reporting. We were the first helicopter operator in Alaska to receive approval for Airborne Radar Approaches.

In early 2007, we became the first Part 135 helicopter operator in the United States to receive FAA approval for our Flight Operations Quality Assurance (“FOQA”) program. This system monitors a number of flight parameters and flags any diversions from accepted flight profiles. We are also committed to equipping our fleet with health and usage monitoring systems, otherwise known as HUMS which can detect wear and tear on helicopter components before they reach unserviceable condition.

Helicopter operations are potentially hazardous and may result in incidents or accidents. Hazards include adverse weather conditions, collisions, fire and mechanical failures, which may result in death or injury to personnel, damage to equipment, loss of operating revenues, contamination of cargo, pollution and other environmental damages and increased costs. We maintain aviation hull, liability and war risk, general liability, workers compensation and other insurance customary in the industry in which we operate. We also conduct training and safety programs to promote a safe working environment and minimize hazards.

Employees

As of December 31, 2011, we employed 825 individuals, including 275 pilots and 263 mechanics. We consider relations with our employees to be good. None of our employees are covered by collective bargaining agreements.

Facilities

We are headquartered in Lake Charles, Louisiana, where we coordinate operations for the entire U.S. Gulf of Mexico, manage the support of our worldwide operations and house our primary maintenance facility and training center. We maintain additional bases in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico near key offshore development sites as well.

In addition, we maintain six operating bases in Alaska, including the regional headquarters in Anchorage and two seasonal locations to support flightseeing activity. Medical services are typically provided from customer-owned facilities.

Seasonality

A significant portion of our operati