Form 10-K
Table of Contents

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

Form 10-K

 

x

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2012

OR

 

¨

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from              to             

Commission File Number 001-31617

 

 

Bristow Group Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware   72-0679819

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(IRS Employer

Identification Number)

2103 City West Blvd.,

4th Floor

Houston, Texas

  77042
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (713) 267-7600

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each Class

 

Name of each exchange on which registered

Common Stock ($.01 par value)   New York Stock Exchange

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

NONE

 

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.     YES  x    NO  ¨

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.    YES  ¨    NO  x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    YES  x    NO  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    YES  x    NO  ¨

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.    x

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 “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer

 

x

  

Accelerated filer

 

¨

Non-accelerated filer

 

¨  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

  

Smaller reporting company

 

¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    YES  ¨    NO  x

The aggregate market value of the voting Common Stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant, based upon the closing price on the New York Stock Exchange, as of September 30, 2011 was $1,425,566,619.

The number of shares outstanding of the registrant’s Common Stock as of May 18, 2012 was 35,766,934.

 

 

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Certain portions of the Registrant’s Definitive Proxy Statement, to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A not later than 120 days after the close of the Registrant’s fiscal year, are incorporated by reference under Part III of this Form 10-K.

 

 

 


Table of Contents

BRISTOW GROUP INC.

INDEX — ANNUAL REPORT (FORM 10-K)

 

         Page  
 

Introduction

     1   
 

Forward-Looking Statements

     1   
  PART I   

Item 1.

 

Business

     3   

Item 1A.

 

Risk Factors

     14   

Item 1B.

 

Unresolved Staff Comments

     24   

Item 2.

 

Properties

     24   

Item 3.

 

Legal Proceedings

     24   

Item 4.

 

Mine Safety Disclosures

     25   
  PART II   

Item 5.

 

Market for the Registrant’s Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters

     25   

Item 6.

 

Selected Financial Data

     27   

Item 7.

 

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

     28   

Item 7A.

 

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

     55   

Item 8.

 

Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

     59   

Item 9.

 

Changes In and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

     116   

Item 9A.

 

Controls and Procedures

     116   

Item 9B.

 

Other Information

     118   
  PART III   

Item 10.

 

Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

     118   

Item 11.

 

Executive Compensation

     118   

Item 12.

 

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

     118   

Item 13.

 

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

     118   

Item 14.

 

Principal Accounting Fees and Services

     118   
  PART IV   

Item 15.

 

Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules

     119   

Signatures

     125   

 

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BRISTOW GROUP INC.

ANNUAL REPORT (FORM 10-K)

INTRODUCTION

This Annual Report on Form 10-K is filed by Bristow Group Inc., which we refer to as Bristow Group or the Company.

We use the pronouns “we”, “our” and “us” and the term “Bristow Group” to refer collectively to Bristow Group and its consolidated subsidiaries and affiliates, unless the context indicates otherwise. We also own interests in other entities that we do not consolidate for financial reporting purposes, which we refer to as unconsolidated affiliates, unless the context indicates otherwise. Bristow Group, Bristow Aviation Holdings Limited (“Bristow Aviation”), its consolidated subsidiaries and affiliates, and the unconsolidated affiliates are each separate corporations, limited liability companies or other legal entities, and our use of the terms “we,” “our” and “us” does not suggest that we have abandoned their separate identities or the legal protections given to them as separate legal entities. Our fiscal year ends March 31, and we refer to fiscal years based on the end of such period. Therefore, the fiscal year ended March 31, 2012 is referred to as “fiscal year 2012.”

We are a Delaware corporation incorporated in 1969. Our executive offices are located at 2103 City West Blvd., 4th Floor, Houston, Texas 77042. Our telephone number is (713) 267-7600.

Our website address is http://www.bristowgroup.com. We make our website content available for information purposes only. It should not be relied upon for investment purposes, nor is it incorporated by reference in this Annual Report. All of our periodic report filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) for fiscal periods ended on or after December 15, 2002 are made available, free of charge, through our website, including our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, and current reports on Form 8-K, and any amendments to these reports. These reports are available through our website as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file or furnish such material to the SEC. In addition, the public may read and copy any materials we file with the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549 or on the SEC’s Internet website located at http://www.sec.gov. The public may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Annual Report contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. Forward-looking statements are statements about our future business, strategy, operations, capabilities and results; financial projections; plans and objectives of our management; expected actions by us and by third parties, including our clients, competitors, vendors and regulators; and other matters. Some of the forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as “believes”, “belief”, “expects”, “plans”, “anticipates”, “intends”, “projects”, “estimates”, “may”, “might”, “would”, “could” or other similar words; however, all statements in this Annual Report, other than statements of historical fact or historical financial results are forward-looking statements.

Our forward-looking statements reflect our views and assumptions on the date we are filing this Annual Report regarding future events and operating performance. We believe they are reasonable, but they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which may be beyond our control, that may cause actual results to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Accordingly, you should not put undue reliance on any forward-looking statements.

You should consider the following key factors when evaluating these forward-looking statements:

 

   

the possibility of political instability, war or acts of terrorism in any of the countries where we operate;

 

   

fluctuations in worldwide prices of and demand for natural gas and oil;

 

   

fluctuations in levels of natural gas and oil exploration and development activities;

 

   

fluctuations in the demand for our services;

 

   

the existence of competitors;

 

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the existence of operating risks inherent in our business, including the possibility of declining safety performance;

 

   

the possibility of changes in tax and other laws and regulations;

 

   

the possibility that the major oil companies do not continue to expand internationally;

 

   

the possibility of significant changes in foreign exchange rates and controls;

 

   

general economic conditions including the capital and credit markets;

 

   

the possibility that we may be unable to acquire additional aircraft due to limited availability or unable to exercise aircraft purchase options;

 

   

the possibility that we may be unable to dispose of older aircraft through sales into the aftermarket;

 

   

the possibility that we may be unable to obtain financing or we may be unable to draw on our credit facilities;

 

   

the possibility that we may be unable to re-deploy our aircraft to regions with greater demand; and

 

   

the possibility that we do not achieve the anticipated benefit of our fleet capacity expansion program.

The above description of risks and uncertainties is by no means all-inclusive, but is designed to highlight what we believe are important factors to consider. For a more detailed description of risk factors, please see the risks and uncertainties described under Item 1A. “Risk Factors” included elsewhere in this Annual Report.

All forward-looking statements in this Annual Report are qualified by these cautionary statements and are only made as of the date of this Annual Report. We do not undertake any obligation, other than as required by law, to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

 

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PART I

 

Item 1. Business

Overview

We are the leading provider of helicopter services to the worldwide offshore energy industry based on the number of aircraft operated and one of two helicopter service providers to the offshore energy industry with global operations. We have a long history in the helicopter services industry through Bristow Helicopters Ltd. and Offshore Logistics, Inc., having been founded in 1955 and 1969, respectively. We have major transportation operations in the North Sea, Nigeria and the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, and in most of the other major offshore energy producing regions of the world, including Alaska, Australia, Brazil, Russia and Trinidad. We generated 82% and 93% of our consolidated operating revenue and business unit operating income, respectively, from operations outside of the U.S. in fiscal year 2012.

Our well established and successful global safety program called “Target Zero” focused on improved safety performance, as our safety vision is to have zero accidents, zero harm to people and zero harm to the environment. In order to create further differentiation and add value to our clients, we have expanded our Target Zero safety program to focus on additional areas related to maximizing uptime and service levels. The new expanded program called the “Bristow Client Promise” is focused on enhancing our value to our clients through the initiatives of “Target Zero Accidents,” “Target Zero Downtime” and “Target Zero Complaints.” This program is designed to deliver continuous improvement in all these important areas and demonstrate Bristow Group’s commitment to providing higher hours of zero-accident flight time with on-time and up-time helicopter transportation service.

We conduct our business in one segment: Helicopter Services. The Helicopter Services segment operations are conducted primarily through five business units:

 

   

Europe,

 

   

West Africa,

 

   

North America,

 

   

Australia, and

 

   

Other International.

We provide helicopter services to a broad base of major integrated, national and independent offshore energy companies. Our clients charter our helicopters primarily to transport personnel between onshore bases and offshore production platforms, drilling rigs and other installations. To a lesser extent, our clients also charter our helicopters to transport time-sensitive equipment to these offshore locations. Our client’s operating expenditures in the production sector are the principle source of our revenue, while their exploration and development capital expenditures provide a lesser portion of our revenue.

Helicopters are generally classified as small (four to eight passengers), medium (12 to 16 passengers) and large (18 to 25 passengers), each of which serves a different transportation need of the offshore energy industry. Medium and large helicopters, which can fly in a wider variety of operating conditions, over longer distances, at higher speeds and carry larger payloads than small helicopters, are most commonly used for crew changes on large offshore production facilities and drilling rigs. With these enhanced capabilities, medium and large helicopters have historically been preferred in international markets, where the offshore facilities tend to be larger, the drilling locations tend to be more remote and the onshore infrastructure tends to be more limited. Additionally, local governmental regulations in certain international markets require us to operate twin-engine medium and large aircraft in those markets. Global demand for medium and large helicopters is driven by drilling, development and production activity levels in deepwater locations throughout the world, as the medium and large aircraft are able to travel to these deepwater locations. Small helicopters are generally used for shorter routes and to reach production facilities that cannot accommodate medium and large helicopters. Our small helicopters operate primarily over the shallow waters of Nigeria and the U.S. Gulf of Mexico. Worldwide there are more than 8,000 production platforms and 700 offshore rigs.

We are able to deploy our aircraft to the regions with the greatest demand, subject to the satisfaction of local governmental regulations. There are also additional markets for helicopter services beyond the offshore energy industry, including agricultural support, air medical, tourism, firefighting, corporate transportation, traffic monitoring, police and military. The existence of these alternative markets enables us to better manage our helicopter fleet by providing potential purchasers for older aircraft and for our excess aircraft during times of reduced demand in the offshore energy industry.

 

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Most countries in which we operate limit foreign ownership of aviation companies. To comply with these regulations and yet expand internationally, we have formed or acquired interests in a number of foreign helicopter operators. These investments typically combine a local ownership interest with our experience in providing helicopter services to the offshore energy industry. These arrangements have allowed us to expand operations while diversifying the risks and reducing the capital outlays associated with independent expansion. We lease some of our aircraft to a number of unconsolidated affiliates which in turn provide helicopter services to clients locally.

Since fiscal year 2007, we have made strategic investments and acquisitions including investment in new generations of aircraft that are in heavy demand by our clients, expanded or increased investments in new markets, such as our acquisition of a 42.5% ownership interest in Líder Aviação Holding S.A. (“Líder”) in Brazil (giving us access to one of the fastest growing offshore helicopter markets in the world), acquisition of the remaining 51% interest of Bristow Norway and acquisition of Bristow Academy in order to ensure a source for new talented pilots.

In addition to our primary Helicopter Services operations, we also operate a training business unit, Bristow Academy, and provide technical services to clients in the U.S. and U.K. See “— Bristow Academy” and “— Technical Services” below for further discussion of these operations.

Since the beginning of fiscal year 2007, we have been able to raise $1.4 billion of capital in a mix of debt and equity with both public and private financings, generate gross proceeds of $101.6 million through the divestiture of non-core businesses, including the sale of Grasso Production Management (“Grasso”), Turbo Engines, Inc. (“Turbo”) and 53 small aircraft and related assets operating in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, generate proceeds of approximately $260 million through the sale of other aircraft to the helicopter aftermarket and during fiscal year 2012, we received $171.2 million for the sale of nine existing and in-construction aircraft that we subsequently leased back. Concurrently, we have invested over $1.9 billion in capital expenditures to grow our business.

While we plan to continue to be disciplined concerning future capital commitments, we also intend to continue prudently managing our capital structure and liquidity position with external financings as needed. Our strategy will involve funding our short-term liquidity requirements with borrowings under our amended and restated revolving credit and term loan agreement (“Amended and Restated Credit Agreement”), which consists of a $200 million revolving credit facility (“Revolving Credit Facility”) and a $250 million term loan (“Term Loan”) (together referred to as our “Credit Facilities”), and funding our long-term financing needs, while maintaining a prudent capital structure, among the following alternatives: a) operating and capital leases, b) bank debt, c) public debt and/or equity placements and d) private and export credit agency-supported financings.

Our capital commitments in future periods related to fleet renewal are discussed under Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition — Liquidity and Capital Resources — Future Cash Requirements” included elsewhere in this Annual Report and are detailed in the table provided in that section.

Consistent with our growth strategy, we regularly engage in discussions with potential sellers and strategic partners regarding the possible purchase of assets, pursuit of joint ventures or other expansion opportunities that increase our position in existing markets or facilitate expansion into new markets. These potential expansion opportunities consist of both smaller transactions as well as larger transactions that could have a material impact on our financial position, cash flow and results of operations. We cannot predict the likelihood of completing, or the timing of, any such transactions.

 

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As of March 31, 2012, the aircraft in our fleet, the aircraft which we expect to take delivery of in the future and the aircraft which we have the option to acquire were as follows:

 

$XXX,XX $XXX,XX $XXX,XX $XXX,XX $XXX,XX $XXX,XX $XXX,XX
     Number of Aircraft       
     Consolidated Affiliates     Unconsolidated       
     Operating Aircraft                         Affiliates  (4)       

Type

   Owned
Aircraft
     Leased
Aircraft
     Aircraft
Held For
Sale
     On
Order (1)
    Under
Option (2)
    In Fleet      Maximum
Passenger
Capacity

Small Helicopters:

                  

Bell 206L Series

     33         —           —           —          —          7       6

Bell 206B

     —           1         —           —          —          2       4

Bell 407

     39         —           —           —          —          —         6

BK-117

     —           2         —           —          —          —         7

BO-105

     2         —           —           —          —          —         4

EC135

     6         —           —           —          —          3       6
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    
     80         3         —           —          —          12      
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

Medium Helicopters:

                  

Bell 212

     2         —           1         —          —          14       12

Bell 412

     34         —           4         —          —          20       13

EC155

     3         —           —           —          —          —         13

Sikorsky S-76 A/A++

     16         —           5         —          —          6       12

Sikorsky S-76 C/C++

     44         10         —           —          —          33       12

EC175

     —           —           —           —          12        —         16

AW 139

     5         2         —           —          —          2       16
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    
     104         12         10         —          12        75      
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

Large Helicopters:

                  

AS332L Super Puma

     21         4         7         —          —          —         18

Sikorsky S-61

     2         —           —           —          —          —         18

AW 189

     —           —           —           6        6        —         18

Sikorsky S-92

     23         7         —           9        4        2       19

Mil Mi-8

     7         —           —           —          —          —         20

EC225

     16         2         —           —          18        —         25
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    
     69         13         7         15        28        2      
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

Training Aircraft:

                  

Robinson R22

     —           11         —           —          —          —         2

Robinson R44

     —           2         —           —          —          —         4

Sikorsky 300CB/CBi

     46         —           2         —          —          —         2

Bell 206B

     1         13         —           —          —          —         4

AS 350BB

     —           —           —           —          —          36       4

AS 355

     —           2         —           —          —          —         5

Agusta 109

     —           —           —           —          —          2       8

Bell 212

     —           —           —           —          —          8       12

Bell 412

     —           —           —           —          —          15       13

AW 139

     —           —           —           —          —          3       16

Fixed wing

     1         —           —           —          —          —        
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    
     48         28         2         —          —          64      
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

Fixed wing

     3         1         —           —          —          42      
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

Total

     304         57         19         15        40        195      
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

(1) 

Signed client contracts are in place that will utilize seven of these aircraft. Six large ordered aircraft expected to enter service in fiscal year 2015 are subject to the successful development and certification of the aircraft. For additional information, see Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Liquidity — Future Capital Requirements” included elsewhere in this Annual Report.

(2) 

Represents aircraft which we have the option to acquire. If the options are exercised, the agreements provide that aircraft would be delivered over fiscal years 2014 through 2018. For additional information, see Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Liquidity — Future Capital Requirements” included elsewhere in this Annual Report.

(3) 

Represents the approximate normal cruise speed flying at gross weight and at sea level under standard operating conditions.

(4) 

Includes 53 helicopters (primarily medium) and 33 fixed wing aircraft owned by Líder, our unconsolidated affiliate in Brazil.

 

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The following table shows the distribution of our operating revenue for fiscal year 2012 and aircraft as of March 31, 2012 among our business units.

 

$XXX,XX $XXX,XX $XXX,XX $XXX,XX $XXX,XX $XXX,XX $XXX,XX $XXX,XX $XXX,XX
          Aircraft in Consolidated Fleet (1)              
    Operating     Helicopters                          
    Revenue for
Fiscal Year
2012
    Small     Medium     Large     Training     Fixed
Wing
    Total
    Unconsolidated
Affiliates (2)
    Total  

Europe

    37     —          15        41        —          —          56        64        120   

West Africa

    21     10        25        7        —          4        46        —          46   

North America

    15     67        23        2        —          —          92        —          92   

Australia

    12     2        10        17        —          —          29        —          29   

Other International

    12     4        43        15        —          —          62        131        193   

Corporate and other

    3     —          —          —          76        —          76        —          76   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

    100     83        116        82        76        4        361        195        556   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) 

Includes 19 aircraft held for sale and 57 leased aircraft as follows:

 

$XXX,XX $XXX,XX $XXX,XX $XXX,XX $XXX,XX $XXX,XX
     Held for Sale Aircraft in Consolidated Fleet  
     Helicopters                
     Small      Medium      Large      Training      Fixed
Wing
     Total  

Europe

     —           2         3         —           —           5   

West Africa

     —           1         —           —           —           1   

Australia

     —           1         3         —           —           4   

Other International

     —           6         1         —           —           7   

Corporate and other

     —           —           —           2         —           2   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     —           10         7         2         —           19   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     Leased Aircraft in Consolidated Fleet  
     Helicopters                
     Small      Medium      Large      Training      Fixed
Wing
     Total  

Europe

     —           —           9         —           —           9   

West Africa

     —           1         —           —           1         2   

North America

     1         11         2         —           —           14   

Australia

     2         —           1         —           —           3   

Other International

     —           —           1         —           —           1   

Corporate and other

     —           —           —           28         —           28   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     3         12         13         28         1         57   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(2) 

The 195 aircraft operated by our unconsolidated affiliates do not include those aircraft leased from us.

 

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Europe

We operate our Europe business unit from four bases in the U.K., one base in Holland and three bases in Norway. Our Europe operations are managed out of our facilities in Aberdeen, Scotland. Based on the number of aircraft operating, we are one of the largest providers of helicopter services in the North Sea, where there are harsh weather conditions and geographically concentrated offshore facilities. The offshore facilities in the Northern North Sea and Norwegian North Sea are large and require frequent crew change flight services. In the Southern North Sea, the facilities are generally smaller with some unmanned platforms requiring shuttle operations to up-man in the morning and down-man in the evening. We deploy the majority of the large aircraft in our consolidated fleet in Europe. Our client base in this business unit consists primarily of major integrated and independent offshore energy companies. In addition to our offshore energy helicopter services, we are a civil supplier of search and rescue (“SAR”) services to the Netherlands Oil and Gas Exploration and Production Association. Our subsidiary, Bristow Helicopters Ltd., was recently awarded the contract to provide SAR services in the North of Scotland. We will provide SAR services starting July 2013, using four Sikorsky S-92 helicopters based in the Scottish bases of Stornoway and Sumburgh. The contract is expected to run for four years, until a longer term decision for such services is made. Our Europe operations are subject to seasonality as drilling activity is lower during the winter months due to harsh weather and shorter days.

Also, we own a 50% interest in each of FBS Limited (“FBS”), FB Heliservices Limited (“FBH”), and FB Leasing Limited (“FBL”), collectively referred to as the FB Entities, U.K. corporations which principally provide pilot training, maintenance and support services to the British military under a contract that runs through March 2016 with two possible one year extensions. FBS and FBL own and operate a total of 64 aircraft.

West Africa

As of March 31, 2012, all of the aircraft in our West Africa business unit operate in Nigeria, where we are the largest provider of helicopter services to the offshore energy industry. We deploy a combination of small, medium and large aircraft in Nigeria and service a client base comprised mostly of major integrated offshore energy companies. We have seven operational bases, with the largest bases located in Escravos, Lagos, Port Harcourt and Warri. The marketplace for our services had historically been concentrated predominantly in the oil rich swamp and shallow waters of the Niger Delta area. More recently we have been undertaking work further offshore in support of deepwater exploration. Operations in West Africa are subject to seasonality as the Harmattan, a dry and dusty trade wind, blows between the end of November and the middle of March. At times when the heavy amount of dust in the air severely limits visibility, our aircraft are unable to operate.

North America

We operate our North America business unit from seven operating facilities in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico and three operating facilities in Alaska. We are one of the largest suppliers of helicopter services in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico. Our client base in this business unit consists of mostly international, independent and major integrated offshore energy companies. The U.S. Gulf of Mexico is a major offshore energy producing region with approximately 3,400 production platforms and 100 drilling rigs. The shallow water platforms are typically unmanned and are serviced by small aircraft. The deepwater platforms are serviced by medium and large aircraft. Among our strengths in this region, in addition to our ten operating facilities, are our advanced flight-following systems and our widespread and strategically located offshore fuel stations. Operations in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico are subject to seasonality as the months of December through March typically have more days of harsh weather conditions than the other months of the year. Additionally, during the months of June through November, tropical storms and hurricanes may reduce activity as we are unable to operate in the area of the storm. Our principal work in Alaska utilizes five aircraft that provide daily support to the Trans-Alaska pipeline, along with providing small and medium twin engine contract and charter service to onshore and offshore exploration, development and production activities on the North Slope and in the Cook Inlet. Operations in Alaska are subject to seasonality as fall and winter months have fewer hours of daylight and harsh weather conditions limit some offshore energy related activities.

Australia

We are the largest provider of helicopter services to the offshore energy industry in Australia, where we have five bases located in Western Australia, three in Victoria, one in South Australia and one in Queensland. These operations are managed from our Australian head office facility in Perth, Western Australia. Our operating bases are located in the vicinity of the major offshore energy exploration and production fields in the North West Shelf, Browse and Carnarvon basins of Western Australia and the Bass Straits in Victoria, where our fleet provides helicopter services solely to offshore energy operators. We also provide airport management services on Barrow Island in Western Australia. Our client base in Australia consists primarily of major integrated offshore energy companies. We also provide engineering support to the Republic of Singapore Air Force’s fleet of helicopters at their base in Oakey, Queensland.

 

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Other International

We currently conduct our Other International operations in the Baltic Sea, Brazil, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Guyana, Malaysia, Mexico, Russia, Trinidad, and Turkmenistan. As of March 31, 2012, we and our unconsolidated affiliates operated a mixture of small, medium, and large aircraft in these markets. While we have a diverse client base in this business unit, a large majority of revenue is generated from monthly fixed charges for production related work. The following is a description of operations in our Other International business unit as of March 31, 2012.

 

   

Brazil – We own a 42.5% interest in Líder, the largest provider of helicopter and corporate aviation services in Brazil, which we acquired on May 26, 2009. Líder was founded in 1973 and has grown to be a market leader in Brazil. Líder has five primary operating units comprising helicopter service, maintenance, chartering, ground handling, and aircraft sales. Líder’s fleet includes 53 rotor wing and 33 fixed wing aircraft. Líder management recently introduced large helicopters into their operational portfolio allowing them to gain competence and positioning them for the anticipated growth associated with Brazil’s pre-salt fields. Líder also has a vast network of over 20 bases distributed strategically in Brazil including locations in Macae, Rio de Janiero, Sao Tome, Urucu and Vitória. We currently lease nine medium and two large aircraft to Líder.

 

   

Egypt – We own a 25% interest in Petroleum Air Services (“PAS”), an Egyptian corporation which provides helicopter and fixed wing transportation to the offshore energy industry. Additionally, spare fixed wing capacity is chartered to tourism operators. PAS owns 45 aircraft and operates from multiple locations. The remaining 75% interest in PAS is owned by Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation.

 

   

Malaysia – We lease five aircraft to MHS Aviation Berhad which are operated from bases in Kerteh and Bintulu and provide services to international offshore energy companies. In addition, we have a Technical Services Agreement with MHS Aviation Berhad under which we provide a number of supervisory engineers and other technical services as required.

 

   

Mexico – We lease 13 aircraft to Heliservicio Campeche S.A. de C.V. (“Heliservicio”) to provide helicopter services to its clients. Heliservicio services clients primarily from bases located in Mexico City, Cuidad del Carmen, Poza Rica, Tampico, Dos Bocas and Vera Cruz.

 

   

Russia – We operate seven large aircraft from three locations on Sakhalin Island, where we provide helicopter services to international and domestic offshore energy companies.

 

   

Trinidad – We operate ten medium aircraft that are used to service our clients who are primarily engaged in offshore energy activities. We have one base located at Trinidad’s airport at the Port of Spain.

 

   

Other – In the Baltic Sea, Equatorial Guinea, and Guyana, we operate one, two, and three aircraft, respectively, that are used to service our clients who are engaged in offshore energy activities. We also operate two aircraft through our 51% interest in Turkmenistan Helicopters Limited, a Turkmenistan corporation that provides helicopter services to an international offshore energy company from a single location. In India, we dry lease one aircraft to an Indian helicopter operator from one location.

Bristow Academy

Bristow Academy is a leading provider of helicopter training services with 25 years of operating history and training facilities in Titusville, Florida; New Iberia, Louisiana; Carson City, Nevada and Gloucestershire, England. Bristow Academy trains students from around the world to become helicopter pilots and is approved to provide helicopter flight training at the commercial pilot and flight instructor level by both the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (“FAA”) and the European Joint Aviation Authority (“JAA”). Bristow Academy operates 76 aircraft (including 48 owned and 28 leased aircraft) and employs approximately 180 people, including over 80 primary flight instructors. Additionally, Bristow Academy conducts military training, which generated approximately 52% of Bristow Academy’s operating revenue for fiscal year 2012.

 

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Technical Services

Our technical services portion of the business provides helicopter repair services from facilities located in New Iberia, Louisiana; Redhill, England and Aberdeen, Scotland. While most of this work is performed on our own aircraft, some of these services are performed for third parties and unconsolidated affiliates.

For additional information about our business units, see Note 12 in the “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” included elsewhere in this Annual Report. For a description of certain risks affecting our business and operations, see Item 1A. “Risk Factors” included elsewhere in this Annual Report.

Clients and Contracts

The principal clients for our Helicopter Services are major integrated, national and independent offshore energy companies. The following table presents our top ten clients in fiscal year 2012 and their percentage contribution to our consolidated gross revenue during fiscal years 2012, 2011 and 2010. Any clients accounting for 10% or more of our consolidated gross revenues during such fiscal years are included in the table below.

 

$XXX,XX,X $XXX,XX,X $XXX,XX,X
     Fiscal Year Ended March 31,  

Client Name

   2012     2011     2010  

Chevron

     11.9     11.3     11.9

BP

     8.2     8.8     4.9

IAC

     8.1     8.9     8.3

ConocoPhillips

     5.5     5.4     4.1

Statoil

     4.7     2.6     2.8

Apache

     4.6     2.1     1.0

Shell

     4.1     7.5     9.7

Exxon Mobil

     2.6     3.8     3.6

Nigerian Oil

     2.5     2.1     0.1

Talisman Energy

     2.2     3.0     3.1
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     54.4     55.5     49.5
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Our helicopter contracts are generally based on a two-tier rate structure consisting of a daily or monthly fixed fee plus additional fees for each hour flown. We also provide services to clients on an “ad hoc” basis, which usually entails a shorter notice period and shorter duration. Our charges for ad hoc services are generally based on an hourly rate, or a daily or monthly fixed fee plus additional fees for each hour flown. Generally, our ad hoc services have a higher margin than our other helicopter contracts due to supply and demand dynamics. In addition, our standard rate structure is based on fuel costs remaining at or below a predetermined threshold. Fuel costs in excess of this threshold are generally reimbursed by the client.

Generally, our helicopter contracts are cancelable by the client with a notice period ranging from 30 to 180 days and in some cases up to one year. In the North America business unit, we generally enter into short-term contracts for twelve months or less. Outside of North America, contracts are longer term, which is typically between two and five years. These long term contracts generally include escalation provisions allowing annual rate increases, which may be based on a fixed dollar or percentage increase, an increase in an agreed index or our actual substantiated increased costs, which we negotiate to pass along to clients. Cost reimbursements from clients are recorded as reimbursable revenue in our consolidated statements of income.

 

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Competition

The helicopter transportation business is highly competitive throughout the world. We compete directly against multiple providers in almost all of our regions of operation. We have several significant competitors in the North Sea, Nigeria, the U.S. Gulf of Mexico and Australia, and a number of smaller local competitors in other markets. In one of these markets, Nigeria, we have seen a recent increase in competitive pressure and new regulation that could impact our ability to win future work. Despite the new competition in Nigeria, we believe that it is difficult for additional significant competitors to enter our industry because it requires considerable capital investment, working capital, a complex system of onshore and offshore bases, personnel and operating experience. However, these requirements can be overcome with the appropriate level of client support and commitment. In addition, while not the predominant practice, certain of our clients and potential clients in the offshore energy industry perform their own helicopter services on a limited basis.

In most situations, clients charter helicopters on the basis of competitive bidding. On limited occasions, our clients renew or extend existing contracts without employing a competitive bid process. Contracts are generally awarded based on a number of factors, including price, quality of service, operational experience, record of safety, quality and type of equipment, client relationship and professional reputation. Incumbent operators typically have a competitive advantage in the bidding process based on their relationship with the client, knowledge of the site characteristics and existing facilities to support the operations. Because certain of our clients in the offshore energy industry have the capability to perform their own helicopter services, our ability to increase charter rates may be limited under certain circumstances.

Code of Business Integrity

We have adopted a Code of Business Integrity for directors, officers (including our principal executive officer, principal financial officer and chief accounting officer) and employees (our “Code”). Our Code covers topics including, but not limited to, conflicts of interest, insider trading, competition and fair dealing, discrimination and harassment, confidentiality, compliance procedures and employee complaint procedures. Our Code is posted on our website, http://www.bristowgroup.com, under the “About Us” and “Values” caption.

Safety, Industry Hazards and Insurance

Hazards such as severe weather and mechanical failures are inherent in the transportation industry and may result in the loss of equipment and revenue. It is possible that personal injuries and fatalities may occur. We believe our air accident rate per 100,000 flight hours, which has historically been more than ten times lower than the reported global offshore energy production helicopter average data, indicates that we have consistently performed better than the industry average with respect to safety. In fiscal years 2012, 2011, and 2010, we had no accidents that resulted in any fatalities.

Our well established global safety program called “Target Zero” focuses on improved safety performance, as our safety vision is to have zero accidents, zero harm to people, and zero harm to the environment. The key components are to improve safety culture and individual behaviors and to increase the level of safety reporting by the frontline employees, increase accountability for addressing identified hazards by the operational managers and provide for independent auditing of the operational safety programs. See discussion of “Target Zero” in “– Overview.”

We maintain hull and liability insurance which generally insures us against damage to our aircraft and the related liabilities which may be incurred as a result. We also carry insurance for war risk, expropriation and confiscation of the aircraft we use in certain of our international operations. Further, we carry various other liability and property insurance, including workers’ compensation, general liability, employers’ liability, auto liability, and property and casualty coverage. We believe that our insurance program is adequate to cover any claims ultimately incurred related to property damage and liability events.

 

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Employees

As of March 31, 2012, we employed 3,281 employees. Many of our employees are represented under collective bargaining agreements. Periodically, certain groups of our employees who are not covered by a collective bargaining agreement consider entering into such an agreement. We believe that our relations with our employees are generally satisfactory.

The following table sets forth our main employee groups and status of the collective bargaining agreements:

 

Employee Group

  

Representatives

  

Status of Agreement

  

Approximate Number of

Employees Covered

by Agreement as of

March 31, 2012

U.K. Pilots    British Airline Pilots Association (“BALPA”)    Agreement expires in March 2013.    180
U.K. Engineers and Staff    Unite    Agreement expires in March 2013.    510
Bristow Norway Pilots   

Norsk Flygerforbund (“NALPA”); new union (“PARAT”) effective

April 1, 2010

   Collective agreement expires in March 2013.    100
Bristow Norway Engineers    Norsk Helikopteransattes Forbund (“NU of HE”)/BNTF    Agreements expire in December 2012.    70
Nigeria Junior and Senior Staff    National Union of Air Transport Employees; Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria    Agreements expired in April 2011. Currently in negotiations.    70
Nigeria Pilots and Engineers    Nigerian Association of Airline Pilots and Engineers    We recognize this union for representation purposes, but there is no formal commitment to negotiate remuneration.    120
North America Pilots    Office and Professional Employees International Union (“OPEIU”)    Amendable March 26, 2015.    200
Australia Pilots    Australian Federation of Air Pilots    Agreement expires in December 2012.    100
Australia Engineers and BDI Tradesmen and Staff   

Australian Licensed

Aircraft Engineers Association (“ALAEA”), Australian Manufacturing Union (“AMWU”) and elected employee representatives

   Agreement for engineers expired in March 2012. Currently in negotiations. Other agreement expires in December 2013.    180

 

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Governmental Regulation

United States

As a commercial operator of aircraft, our U.S. operations are subject to regulations under the Federal Aviation Act of 1958, as amended, and other laws. We carry persons and property in our helicopters under an Air Taxi Certificate granted by the FAA. The FAA regulates our U.S. flight operations and, in this respect, exercises jurisdiction over personnel, aircraft, ground facilities and certain technical aspects of our operations. The National Transportation Safety Board is authorized to investigate aircraft accidents and to recommend improved safety standards. Our U.S. operations are also subject to the Federal Communications Act of 1934 because we use radio facilities in our operations.

Under the Federal Aviation Act, it is unlawful to operate certain aircraft for hire within the U.S. unless such aircraft are registered with the FAA and the FAA has issued an operating certificate to the operator. As a general rule, aircraft may be registered under the Federal Aviation Act only if the aircraft are owned or controlled by one or more citizens of the U.S. and an operating certificate may be granted only to a citizen of the U.S. For purposes of these requirements, a corporation is deemed to be a citizen of the U.S. only if at least 75% of its voting interests are owned or controlled by U.S. citizens, the president of the company is a U.S. citizen, two-thirds or more of the directors are U.S. citizens and the company is under the actual control of U.S. citizens. If persons other than U.S. citizens should come to own or control more than 25% of our voting interest or if any of the other requirements are not met, we have been advised that our aircraft may be subject to deregistration under the Federal Aviation Act, and we may lose our ability to operate within the U.S. Deregistration of our aircraft for any reason, including foreign ownership in excess of permitted levels, would have a material adverse effect on our ability to conduct operations within our North America business unit. Therefore, our organizational documents currently provide for the automatic suspension of voting rights of shares of our outstanding voting capital stock owned or controlled by non-U.S. citizens, and our right to redeem those shares, to the extent necessary to comply with these requirements. As of March 31, 2012, approximately 2,597,000 shares of our common stock, par value $.01 per share (“Common Stock”), were held of record by persons with foreign addresses. These shares represented approximately 7% of our total outstanding Common Stock as of March 31, 2012. Our foreign ownership may fluctuate on each trading day because our Common Stock and our 3% convertible Senior Notes due 2038 (“3% Convertible Senior Notes”) are publicly traded.

Also, we are subject to the regulations imposed by the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, which generally prohibits us and our intermediaries from making improper payments to foreign officials for the purpose of obtaining or keeping business.

United Kingdom

Our operations in the U.K. are subject to the Civil Aviation Act 1982 and other similar English and European Union statutes and regulations. We carry persons and property in our helicopters pursuant to an operating license issued by the Civil Aviation Authority (“CAA”). The holder of an operating license must meet the ownership and control requirements of Council Regulation 2407/92. To operate under this license, the company through which we conduct operations in the U.K., Bristow Helicopters Ltd., must be owned directly or through majority ownership by European Union nationals, and must at all times be effectively controlled by them. To comply with these restrictions, we own only 49% of the ordinary shares of Bristow Aviation, the entity that owns Bristow Helicopters Ltd. In addition, we have a put/call agreement with the other two stockholders of Bristow Aviation which grants us the right to buy all of their Bristow Aviation ordinary shares (and grants them the right to require us to buy all of their shares). Under English law, to maintain Bristow Helicopter Ltd.’s operating license, we would be required to find a qualified European Union owner to acquire any of the Bristow Aviation shares that we have the right or obligation to acquire under the put/call agreement. In addition to our equity investment in Bristow Aviation, we own deferred stock, essentially a subordinated class of stock with no voting rights, and hold subordinated debt issued by Bristow Aviation.

The CAA regulates our U.K. flight operations and exercises jurisdiction over personnel, aircraft, ground facilities and certain technical aspects of those operations. The CAA often imposes improved safety standards. Under the Licensing of Air Carriers Regulations 1992, it is unlawful to operate certain aircraft for hire within the U.K. unless such aircraft are approved by the CAA. Changes in U.K. or European Union statutes or regulations, administrative requirements or their interpretation may have a material adverse effect on our business or financial condition or on our ability to continue operations in the U.K.

Also, we are subject to the U.K. Bribery Act which creates criminal offenses for bribery and failing to prevent bribery.

 

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Nigeria

Our operations in Nigeria are subject to the Nigerian Content Act, which requires that oil and gas contracts be awarded to a company that is seen or perceived to have more “local content” than a “Foreign” competitor even if such company’s services are up to 10% more expensive. Additionally, the Nigerian Content Act allows the monitoring board to penalize companies that do not meet these new local content requirements up to 5% of the value of the contract. Also, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority has commenced the re-certification of all operators (aircraft operating companies (“AOC”) and aircraft maintenance organizations (“AMO”)) in accordance with the new Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations. The regulations require that AMOs and AOCs be separate, independent organizations with independent accountable managers. Accordingly, in order to properly and fully embrace new regulations, we have agreed in principle to make a number of key changes to our operating model in Nigeria, while maintaining safety as our number one priority at all times. These changes are still being finalized, with the objectives of these changes being (i) allowing each of Bristow Helicopters Nigeria Ltd. (“BHNL”) and Pan African Airlines Nigeria Ltd. (“PAAN”), our two joint ventures in Nigeria, to have more autonomy over its own flight operations, (ii) providing technical aviation maintenance services through a new wholly-owned Bristow Group entity, BGI Aviation Technical Services (“BATS”), (iii) enabling BHNL and PAAN to operate freely in the market place each as a completely separate entity with its own distinct identity, management and workforce, and (iv) each of BHNL, PAAN and BATS committing to continue to apply and use all key Bristow Group standards and policies, including without limitation our Target Zero safety program, our Code of Business Integrity and our Operations Manuals. It is intended that achievement of these objectives should enable us to continue to be a successful and critical part of the Nigerian offshore energy and aviation industries.

Other

Our operations in other markets are subject to local governmental regulations that may limit foreign ownership of aviation companies. Because of these local regulations, we conduct some of our operations through entities in which citizens of such countries own a majority interest and we hold a noncontrolling interest, or under contracts which provide that we operate assets for the local companies and conduct their flight operations. Such contracts are used for our operations in Russia and Turkmenistan. Changes in local laws, regulations or administrative requirements or their interpretation may have a material adverse effect on our business or financial condition or on our ability to continue operations in these areas.

Environmental

Our operations are subject to laws and regulations controlling the discharge of materials into the environment or otherwise relating to the protection of the environment. If we fail to comply with these environmental laws and regulations, administrative, civil and criminal penalties may be imposed, and we may become subject to regulatory enforcement actions in the form of injunctions and cease and desist orders. We may also be subject to civil claims arising out of a pollution event. These laws and regulations may expose us to strict, joint and several liability for the conduct of or conditions caused by others or for our own acts even though these actions were in compliance with all applicable laws at the time they were performed. To date, such laws and regulations have not had a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations or financial condition.

Increased public awareness and concern over the environment may result in future changes in the regulation of the offshore energy industry, which in turn could adversely affect us. The trend in environmental regulation is to place more restrictions and limitations on activities that may affect the environment and there can be no assurance as to the effect of such regulation on our operations or on the operations of our clients. We try to anticipate future regulatory requirements that might be imposed and plan accordingly to remain in compliance with changing environmental laws and regulations and to minimize the cost of such compliance. We do not believe that compliance with federal, state or local environmental laws and regulations will have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position or results of operations. We cannot be certain, however, that future events, such as changes in existing laws, the promulgation of new laws, or the development or discovery of new facts or conditions will not cause us to incur significant costs. Below is a discussion of the material U.S. environmental laws and regulations that relate to our business. We believe that we are in substantial compliance with all of these environmental laws and regulations.

Under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, referred to as CERCLA or the Superfund law, and related state laws and regulations, strict, joint and several liability can be imposed without regard to fault or the legality of the original conduct on certain classes of persons that contributed to the release of a hazardous substance into the environment. These persons include the owner and operator of a contaminated site where a hazardous substance release occurred and any company that transported, disposed of or arranged for the transport or disposal of hazardous substances, even from inactive operations or closed facilities, that have been released into the environment. In addition, neighboring landowners or other third parties may file claims for personal injury, property damage and

 

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recovery of response cost. We currently own, lease, or operate properties and facilities that, in some cases, have been used for industrial activities for many years. Hazardous substances, wastes, or hydrocarbons may have been released on or under the properties owned or leased by us, or on or under other locations where such substances have been taken for disposal. In addition, some of these properties have been operated by third parties or by previous owners whose treatment and disposal or release of hazardous substances, wastes, or hydrocarbons was not under our control. These properties and the substances disposed or released on them may be subject to CERCLA and analogous state statutes. Under such laws, we could be required to remove previously disposed substances and wastes, remediate contaminated property, or perform remedial activities to prevent future contamination. These laws and regulations may also expose us to liability for our acts that were in compliance with applicable laws at the time the acts were performed. We have been named as a potentially responsible party in connection with certain sites. See further discussion under Item 3. “Legal Proceedings” included elsewhere in this Annual Report.

In addition, since our operations generate wastes, including some hazardous wastes, we may be subject to the provisions of the Resource, Conservation and Recovery Act, or RCRA, and analogous state laws that limit the approved methods of disposal for some types of hazardous and nonhazardous wastes and require owners and operators of facilities that treat, store or dispose of hazardous waste and to clean up releases of hazardous waste constituents into the environment associated with their operations. Some wastes handled by us that currently are exempt from treatment as hazardous wastes may in the future be designated as “hazardous wastes” under RCRA or other applicable statutes. If this were to occur, we would become subject to more rigorous and costly operating and disposal requirements.

The Federal Water Pollution Control Act, also known as the Clean Water Act, and analogous state laws impose restrictions and strict controls regarding the discharge of pollutants into state waters or waters of the U.S. The discharge of pollutants into jurisdictional waters is prohibited unless the discharge is permitted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, also referred to as the EPA, or applicable state agencies. Some of our properties and operations require permits for discharges of wastewater and/or stormwater, and we have a system in place for securing and maintaining these permits. In addition, the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 imposes a variety of requirements on responsible parties related to the prevention of oil spills and liability for damages, including natural resource damages, resulting from such spills in the waters of the U.S. A responsible party includes the owner or operator of a facility. The Clean Water Act and analogous state laws provide for administrative, civil and criminal penalties for unauthorized discharges and, together with the Oil Pollution Act, impose rigorous requirements for spill prevention and response planning, as well as substantial potential liability for the cost of removal, remediation, and damages in connection with any unauthorized discharges.

Some of our operations also result in emissions of regulated air pollutants. The Federal Clean Air Act and analogous state laws require permits for facilities that have the potential to emit substances into the atmosphere that could adversely affect environmental quality. Failure to obtain a permit or to comply with permit requirements could result in the imposition of substantial administrative, civil and even criminal penalties.

Our facilities and operations are also governed by laws and regulations relating to worker health and workplace safety, including the Federal Occupational Safety and Health Act, or OSHA. We believe that appropriate precautions are taken to protect our employees and others from harmful exposure to potentially hazardous materials handled and managed at our facilities, and that we operate in substantial compliance with all OSHA or similar regulations.

In addition, we could be affected by future laws or regulations imposed in response to concerns over climate change. Changes in climate change concerns, or in the regulation of such concerns, including greenhouse gas emissions, could subject us to additional costs and restrictions, including compliance costs and increased energy and raw materials costs.

Our operations outside of the U.S. are subject to similar foreign governmental controls relating to protection of the environment. We believe that, to date, our operations outside of the U.S. have been in substantial compliance with existing requirements of these foreign governmental bodies and that such compliance has not had a material adverse effect on our operations. There is no assurance, however, that future expenditures to maintain compliance will not become material.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

If you hold our securities or are considering an investment in our securities, you should carefully consider the following risks, together with the other information contained in this Annual Report.

 

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Risks Relating to Our Clients and Contracts

The demand for our services is substantially dependent on the level of offshore oil and gas exploration, development and production activity.

We provide helicopter services to companies engaged in offshore oil and gas exploration, development and production activities. As a result, demand for our services, as well as our revenue and our profitability, are substantially dependent on the worldwide levels of activity in offshore oil and gas exploration, development and production. These activity levels are principally affected by trends in, and expectations regarding, oil and gas prices, as well as the capital expenditure budgets of offshore energy companies. We cannot predict future exploration, development and production activity or oil and gas price movements. Historically, the prices for oil and gas and activity levels have been volatile and are subject to factors beyond our control, such as:

 

   

the supply of and demand for oil and gas and market expectations for such supply and demand;

 

   

actions of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries and other oil producing countries to control prices or change production levels;

 

   

general economic conditions, both worldwide and in particular regions;

 

   

governmental regulation;

 

   

the price and availability of alternative fuels;

 

   

weather conditions, including the impact of hurricanes and other weather-related phenomena;

 

   

advances in exploration, development and production technology;

 

   

the policies of various governments regarding exploration and development of their oil and gas reserves; and

 

   

the worldwide political environment, including uncertainty or instability resulting from an escalation or additional outbreak of armed hostilities or other crises in the Middle East or the other geographic areas in which we operate (including, but not limited to, Nigeria), or further acts of terrorism in the U.K., U.S. or elsewhere.

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

Offshore energy companies are continually seeking to implement measures aimed at greater cost savings, including efforts to improve cost efficiencies with respect to helicopter transportation services. For example, these companies may reduce staffing levels on both old and new installations by using new technology to permit unmanned installations and may reduce the frequency of transportation of employees by increasing the length of shifts offshore. In addition, these companies could initiate their own helicopter or other transportation alternatives. The continued implementation of these kinds of measures could reduce the demand for helicopter services and have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our industry is highly competitive and cyclical, with intense price competition.

The helicopter business is highly competitive throughout the world. Chartering of helicopters is often done on the basis of competitive bidding among those providers having the necessary equipment, operational experience and resources. Factors that affect competition in our industry include price, quality of service, operational experience, record of safety, quality and type of equipment, client relationship and professional reputation.

Our industry has historically been cyclical and is affected by the volatility of oil and gas price levels. There have been periods of high demand for our services, followed by periods of low demand for our services. 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 aircraft being idle for long periods of time.

We have several significant competitors in the North Sea, Nigeria, the U.S. Gulf of Mexico and Australia, and a number of smaller local competitors in other markets. Certain of our clients have the capability to perform their own helicopter operations should they elect to do so, which has a limiting effect on our rates.

As a result of significant competition, we must continue to provide safe and efficient service or we will lose market share, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations due to the loss of a significant number of our clients or termination of a significant number of our contracts. See further discussion in Item 1. “Business — Competition” included elsewhere in this Annual Report.

 

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We depend on a small number of large offshore energy industry clients for a significant portion of our revenue.

We derive a significant amount of our revenue from a small number of offshore energy companies. Our loss of one of these significant clients, if not offset by sales to new or other existing clients, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

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

Many of our fixed-term contracts contain provisions permitting early termination by the client for any reason, generally without penalty, and with limited notice requirements. In addition, many of our contracts permit our clients to decrease the number of aircraft under contract with a corresponding decrease in the fixed monthly payments without penalty. As a result, you should not place undue reliance on our client contracts or the terms of those contracts.

We may not be able to obtain client contracts with 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.

We have ordered, and have options for, a substantial number of new helicopters. Many of our new helicopters may not be covered by client 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 client contract when they are placed into service, many of these contracts are for a short term, requiring us to seek renewals more frequently. Alternatively, we expect that some of our clients may request new helicopters in lieu of our existing helicopters, which could adversely affect the utilization of our existing fleet.

Risks Relating to Our Business

We are highly dependent upon the level of activity in the North Sea and to a lesser extent the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, which are mature exploration and production regions.

In fiscal years 2012, 2011 and 2010 approximately 54%, 53% and 54% respectively, of our gross revenue was derived from helicopter services provided to clients operating in the North Sea and the U.S. Gulf of Mexico. The North Sea and the U.S. Gulf of Mexico 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. Generally, the production from these drilled oil and gas properties is declining. In the future, production may decline to the point that such properties are no longer economic 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. In addition, the U.S. government’s exercise of authority under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, as amended, to restrict the availability of offshore oil and gas leases could adversely impact exploration and production activity in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico. If activity in oil and gas exploration, development and production in either the North Sea or the U.S. Gulf of Mexico 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.

Any new changes to deepwater drilling laws and regulations, delays in the processing and approval of permits and other related developments in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico as well as our other locations could adversely affect our business.

In 2010, the Department of Interior issued new rules designed to improve drilling and workplace safety in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, and various congressional committees began pursuing legislation to regulate drilling activities and increase liability. The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Bureau of Safety and Environment Enforcement and Office of National Resources Revenue are expected to continue to issue new safety and environmental guidelines or regulations for drilling in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, and other regulatory agencies could potentially issue new safety and environmental guidelines or regulations in other geographic regions, and may take other steps that could increase the costs of exploration and production, reduce the area of operations and result in permitting delays. We are monitoring legislation and regulatory developments; however, it is difficult to predict the ultimate impact of any new guidelines, regulations or legislation. A prolonged suspension of drilling activity or permitting delays in the U.S. and abroad and new regulations and increased liability for companies operating in this sector could result in reduced demand for our services, and reduced cash flows and profitability.

 

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Our future growth depends on the level of international oil and gas activity and our ability to operate outside of the North Sea and the U.S. Gulf of Mexico.

Our future growth will depend significantly on our ability to expand into markets outside of the North Sea and the U.S. Gulf of Mexico. Expansion of our business depends on our ability to operate in these other regions.

Expansion of our business outside of the North Sea and the U.S. Gulf of Mexico 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.

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

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 existing stockholders may result. If funding is insufficient at any time in the future, we may be unable to acquire additional aircraft, take advantage of business opportunities or respond to competitive pressures, any of which could harm our business. See discussion of our capital commitments in Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Liquidity and Capital Resources — Future Cash Requirements” included elsewhere in this Annual Report.

Our operations in certain markets are subject to additional risks.

During each of fiscal years 2012, 2011 and 2010, approximately 30% of our gross revenue was attributable to helicopter services provided to clients operating in the West Africa and Other International business units. Operations in most of these areas are subject to various risks inherent in conducting business in international locations, including:

 

   

political, social and economic instability, including risks of war, general strikes and civil disturbances;

 

   

physical and economic retribution directed at U.S. companies and personnel;

 

   

governmental actions that restrict payments or the movement of funds or result in the deprivation of contract rights;

 

   

violations of our Code;

 

   

the taking of property without fair compensation; and

 

   

the lack of well-developed legal systems in some countries that could make it difficult for us to enforce our contractual rights.

For example, there has been continuing political and social unrest in Nigeria, where we derived 19% of our gross revenue during each of fiscal years 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Also, operations ceased in Libya due to civil unrest and the implementation of sanctions. Future unrest in Nigeria or our other operating regions could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations in those periods. We cannot predict whether any of these events will continue to occur in Nigeria or occur elsewhere in the future.

 

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Foreign exchange risks and controls may affect our financial position and results of operations.

Through our operations outside the U.S., we are exposed to foreign currency fluctuations and exchange rate risks. As a result, a strong U.S. dollar may increase the local cost of our services that are provided under U.S. dollar-denominated contracts, which may reduce the demand for our services in foreign countries. Generally, we do not enter into hedging transactions to protect against foreign exchange risks related to our gross revenue.

Because we maintain our financial statements in U.S. dollars, our financial results are vulnerable to fluctuations in the exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and foreign currencies, such as the British pound sterling, Australian dollar, euro, Nigerian naira and Norwegian kroner. In preparing our financial statements, we must convert all non-U.S. dollar currencies to U.S. dollars. The effect of foreign currency translation is reflected in a component of stockholders’ investment, while foreign currency transaction gains or losses and translation of currency amounts not deemed permanently reinvested are credited or charged to income and reflected in other income (expense), net. Additionally, our earnings from unconsolidated affiliates, net of losses, are affected by the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates on the reported results of our unconsolidated affiliates, primarily the impact of changes in the Brazilian real and the U.S. dollar exchange rate on results for our affiliate in Brazil. Changes in exchange rates could cause significant changes in our financial position and results of operations in the future.

We operate in countries with foreign exchange controls including Brazil, Egypt, India, Malaysia, Nigeria, Russia and Turkmenistan. These controls may limit our ability to repatriate funds from our international operations and unconsolidated affiliates or otherwise convert local currencies into U.S. dollars. These limitations could adversely affect our ability to access cash from these operations.

See further discussion of foreign exchange risks and controls under Item 7A. “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure about Market Risk” included elsewhere in this Annual Report.

Labor problems could adversely affect us.

Certain of our employees in the U.K., Norway, Nigeria, the U.S. and Australia (collectively, about 52% of our employees) are represented under collective bargaining or union agreements. Any disputes over the terms of these agreements or our potential inability to negotiate acceptable contracts with the unions that represent our employees under these agreements could result in strikes, work stoppages or other slowdowns by the affected workers. Periodically, certain groups of our employees who are not covered under a collective bargaining agreement consider entering into such an agreement.

If our unionized workers engage in a strike, work stoppage or other slowdown, other employees elect to become unionized, existing labor agreements are renegotiated, or future labor agreements contain terms that are unfavorable to us, we could experience a disruption of our operations or higher ongoing labor costs, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

See Item 1. “Business — Employees” included elsewhere in this Annual Report for further discussion on the status of collective bargaining or union agreements.

Our failure to attract and retain qualified personnel could have an adverse effect on us.

Our ability to attract and retain qualified pilots, mechanics and other highly-trained personnel is an important factor in determining our future success. For example, many of our clients require pilots with very high levels of flight experience. The market for these experienced and highly-trained personnel is competitive and may become more competitive. Accordingly, we cannot assure you that we will be successful in our efforts to attract and retain such personnel. Some of our pilots, mechanics and other personnel, as well as those of our competitors, are members of the U.K. or U.S. military reserves who have been, or could be, called to active duty. If significant numbers of such personnel are called to active duty, it would reduce the supply of such workers and likely increase our labor costs. Additionally, the addition of new aircraft types to our fleet may require us to retain additional pilots, mechanics and other flight-related personnel. Our failure to attract and retain qualified personnel could have a material adverse effect on our current business and future growth.

 

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Helicopter operations involve risks that may not be covered by our insurance, may increase our operating costs and are subject to weather-related and seasonal fluctuations.

The operation of helicopters inherently involves a degree of risk. Hazards such as harsh weather and marine conditions, mechanical failures, crashes and collisions are inherent in our business and may result in personal injury, loss of life, damage to property and equipment and suspension or reduction of operations. Our aircraft have been involved in accidents in the past, some of which have included loss of life and property damage. We may experience similar accidents in the future.

We attempt to protect ourselves against these losses and damage by carrying insurance, including hull and liability, general liability, workers’ compensation, and property and casualty insurance. Our insurance coverage is subject to deductibles and maximum coverage amounts, and we do not carry insurance against all types of losses, including business interruption. We cannot assure you that our existing coverage will be sufficient to protect against all losses, that we will be able to maintain our existing coverage in the future or that the premiums will not increase substantially. In addition, future terrorist activity, risks of war, accidents or other events could increase our insurance premiums. The loss of our liability insurance coverage, inadequate coverage from our liability insurance or substantial increases in future premiums could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Generally, our operations can be impaired by harsh weather conditions. Poor visibility, high wind, heavy precipitation, sand storms and volcanic ash can affect the operation of helicopters and result in a reduced number of flight hours. A significant portion of our operating revenue is dependent on actual flight hours, and a substantial portion of our direct cost is fixed. Thus, prolonged periods of harsh weather can have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. In addition, any severe weather patterns, including those resulting from climate change, could affect the operation of helicopters and result in a reduced number of flight hours which may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

The fall and winter months have fewer hours of daylight, particularly in the North Sea and Alaska. While some of our aircraft are equipped to fly at night, we generally do not do so. In addition, drilling activity in the North Sea and Alaska is lower during the winter months than the rest of the year. Anticipation of harsh weather during this period causes many oil companies to limit activity during the winter months. Consequently, flight hours are generally lower during these periods, typically resulting in a reduction in operating revenue during those months. Accordingly, our reduced ability to operate in harsh weather conditions and darkness may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

The Harmattan, a dry and dusty West African trade wind, blows between the end of November and the middle of March. The heavy amount of dust in the air can severely limit visibility and block the sun for several days, comparable to a heavy fog. We are unable to operate aircraft during these harsh conditions. Consequently, flight hours may be lower during these periods resulting in reduced operating revenue which may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

In the Gulf of Mexico, the months of December through March have more days of harsh weather conditions than the other months of the year. Heavy fog during those months often limits visibility. In addition, in the Gulf of Mexico, June through November is tropical storm and hurricane season. When a tropical storm or hurricane is about to enter or begins developing in the Gulf of Mexico, flight activity may increase because of evacuations of offshore workers. However, during a tropical storm or hurricane, we are unable to operate in the area of the storm. In addition, as a significant portion of our facilities are located along the coast of the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, tropical storms and hurricanes may cause substantial damage to our property in these locations, including helicopters. Additionally, we incur costs in evacuating our aircraft, personnel and equipment prior to tropical storms and hurricanes.

We operate in many international areas through entities that we do not control and are subject to government regulation that limits foreign ownership of aircraft companies.

We conduct many of our international operations through entities in which we have a noncontrolling investment or through strategic alliances with foreign partners. For example, we have acquired interests in, or in some cases have lease and service agreements with, entities that operate aircraft in Brazil, Egypt, Mexico, Nigeria, the U.K., Russia and Turkmenistan. We provide engineering and administrative support to certain of these entities. We derive significant amounts of lease revenue, service revenue, equity earnings and dividend income from these entities. In fiscal years 2012, 2011 and 2010, we received approximately $29.4 million, $63.6 million and $65.5 million, respectively, of revenue from the provision of aircraft and other services to unconsolidated affiliates. Because we do not own a majority interest or maintain voting control of our unconsolidated affiliates, we do not have the ability to control their policies, management or affairs. The interests of persons who control these entities or partners may differ from ours, and may cause such entities to take

 

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actions that are not in our best interest. If we are unable to maintain our relationships with our partners in these entities, we could lose our ability to operate in these areas, potentially resulting in a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

In Nigeria, we have seen a recent increase in competitive pressure and new regulation that could impact our ability to win future work at levels previously anticipated. In order to properly and fully embrace new regulations, we have agreed in principle to make a number of key changes to our operating model in Nigeria, while maintaining safety as our number one priority at all times. These changes are still being finalized, with the objectives of these changes being (a) allowing each of Bristow Helicopters Nigeria Limited (“BHNL”) and Pan African Airlines Nigeria Ltd (“PAAN”) to have more autonomy over its own flight operations, (b) providing technical aviation maintenance services through a new wholly-owned Bristow Group entity, BGI Aviation Technical Services (“BATS”), (c) enabling BHNL and PAAN to operate freely in the market place each as a completely separate entity with its own distinct identity, management and workforce, and (iv) each of BHNL, PAAN and BATS committing to continue to apply and use all key Bristow Group standards and policies, including without limitation our Target Zero safety program, our Code of Business Integrity and Operations Manuals. As a result of these changes, our ability to consolidate BHNL and PAAN under current accounting requirements could change.

We are subject to governmental regulation that limits foreign ownership of aircraft companies. Based on regulations in various markets in which we operate, our aircraft may be subject to deregistration and we may lose our ability to operate within these countries if certain levels of local ownership are not maintained. Deregistration of our aircraft 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 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. See further discussion in Item 1. “Business — Governmental Regulation” included elsewhere in this Annual Report.

We are subject to tax and other legal compliance risks.

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 laws governing improper business practices such as the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act or the U.K. Bribery Act. We or one of our business units could be charged with wrongdoing as a result of such matters. If convicted or found liable, we could be subject to significant fines, penalties, repayments, other damages (in certain cases, treble damages), or suspension or debarment from government contracts. Independently, our failure to comply with applicable export and trade practice laws could result in civil or criminal penalties and suspension or termination of export privileges. As a global business, we are subject to complex laws and regulations in the U.K., the U.S. and other countries in which we operate. Those laws and regulations may be interpreted in different ways. They may also change from time to time, as may related interpretations and other guidance. Changes in laws or regulations could result in higher expenses and payments, and uncertainty relating to laws or regulations may also affect how we conduct our operations and structure our investments and could limit our ability to enforce our rights.

Actions taken by agencies empowered to enforce governmental regulations could increase our costs and reduce our ability to operate successfully.

Our operations are regulated by governmental agencies in the various jurisdictions in which we operate. These agencies have jurisdiction over many aspects of our business, including personnel, aircraft and ground facilities. Statutes and regulations in these jurisdictions also subject us to various certification and reporting requirements and inspections regarding safety, training and general regulatory compliance. Other statutes and regulations in these jurisdictions regulate the offshore operations of our clients. The agencies empowered to enforce these statutes and regulations may suspend, curtail or require us to modify our operations. A suspension or substantial curtailment of our operations for any prolonged period, and any substantial modification of our current operations, may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. See further discussion in Item 1. “Business — Government Regulation” and “Business — Environmental” included elsewhere in this Annual Report.

Changes in effective tax rates, taxation of our foreign subsidiaries or adverse outcomes resulting from examination of our tax returns could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our future effective tax rates could be adversely affected by changes in tax laws, both domestically and internationally. From time to time, the U.S. Congress and foreign, state and local governments consider legislation that could increase our effective tax rates. We cannot determine whether, or in what form, legislation will ultimately be enacted or what the impact of any such legislation would be on our profitability. If these or other changes to tax laws are enacted, our profitability could be negatively impacted.

Our future effective tax rates could also be adversely affected by changes in the valuation of our deferred tax assets and liabilities, changes in the mix of earnings in countries with differing statutory tax rates, the ultimate repatriation of earnings from foreign subsidiaries to the U.S., or by changes in tax treaties, regulations, accounting principles or interpretations thereof in one or more countries in which we operate. In addition, we are subject to the potential examination of our income tax returns by the Internal Revenue Service and other tax authorities where we file tax returns. We regularly assess the likelihood of adverse outcomes resulting from these examinations to determine the adequacy of our provision for taxes. There can be no assurance that such examinations will not have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

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Environmental regulations and liabilities may increase our costs and adversely affect us.

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. Environmental laws and regulations change frequently, which makes it impossible for us to predict their cost or impact on our future operations. Liabilities associated with environmental matters could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. We could 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 other third parties. Additionally, any failure by us to comply with applicable environmental laws and regulations may result in governmental authorities taking action against our business that could adversely impact our operations and financial condition, including the:

 

   

issuance of administrative, civil and criminal penalties;

 

   

denial or revocation of permits or other authorizations;

 

   

imposition of limitations on our operations; and

 

   

performance of site investigatory, remedial or other corrective actions.

Changes in environmental laws or regulations, including laws relating to greenhouse emissions or other climate change concerns, could require us to devote capital or other resources to comply with those laws and regulations. These changes could also subject us to additional costs and restrictions, including increased energy costs. For additional information see Item 1. “Business — Environmental” and Item 3. “Legal Proceedings” included elsewhere in this Annual Report.

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.

We contract with a small number of manufacturers for most of our aircraft expansion and replacement needs. If any of these manufacturers face production delays due to, for example, natural disasters, labor strikes or availability of skilled labor, we may experience a significant delay in the delivery of previously ordered aircraft. During these periods, we may not be able to obtain orders for additional aircraft with acceptable pricing, delivery dates or other terms. Delivery delays or our inability to obtain acceptable aircraft orders would adversely affect our revenue and profitability and could jeopardize our ability to meet the demands of our clients and grow our business. Additionally, lack of availability of new aircraft resulting from a backlog in orders could result in an increase in prices for certain types of used helicopters.

A shortfall in availability of aircraft components and parts required for maintenance and repairs of our aircraft and supplier cost increases could adversely affect us.

In connection with the required routine maintenance and repairs performed on our aircraft in order for them to stay fully operational and available for use in our operations, we rely on a few key vendors for the supply and overhaul of components fitted to our aircraft. Those vendors have historically worked at or near full capacity supporting the aircraft production lines and the maintenance requirements of the aircraft operators who may also operate at or near capacity in certain industries, including operators such as us who support the energy industry. 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. 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. Our inability to perform timely maintenance and repairs can result in our aircraft being underutilized which could have an adverse impact on our operating results. 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 maintain and repair our aircraft. While every effort is made to mitigate such impact, this may pose a risk to our operating results. Additionally, supplier cost increases for critical aircraft components and parts also pose a risk to our operating results. Cost increases are passed through to our clients through rate increases where possible, including as a component of contract escalation charges. However, as certain of our contracts are long-term in nature, cost increases may not be adjusted in our contract rates until the contracts are up for renewal.

 

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Our failure to dispose of aircraft through sales into the aftermarket could adversely affect us.

The management of our global aircraft fleet involves a careful evaluation of the expected demand for helicopter services across global energy markets, including the type of aircraft needed to meet this demand. As offshore oil and gas drilling and production globally moves to deeper water, more medium and large aircraft and newer technology aircraft may be required. As older aircraft models come off of current contracts and are replaced by new aircraft, our management evaluates our future needs for these aircraft models and ultimately the ability to recover our remaining investments in these aircraft through sales into the aftermarket. We depreciate our aircraft over their expected useful life to the expected salvage value to be received for the aircraft at the end of that life; however, depending on the market for aircraft we may record gains or losses on aircraft sales. In certain instances where a cash return can be made on newer aircraft in excess of the expected return available through the provision of helicopter services, we may sell newer aircraft. The number of aircraft sales and the amount of gains and losses recorded on these sales is unpredictable.

Risks Related to Worldwide Economic Activity and Financial Markets

Worldwide economic downturns could have a material adverse effect on our revenue, profitability and financial position.

A slowdown in economic activity caused by a recession 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. Additionally, these factors may adversely impact our statement of financial position if they are determined to cause impairment of our goodwill, intangible assets, long-lived assets or assets held for sale.

Global financial market instability could impact our business and financial condition.

Financial market instability in the global financial system could have an impact on our business and our financial condition. We may face significant challenges if conditions in the financial markets are poor. Our ability to access the capital markets may be severely restricted at a time when we would like, or need, to access such markets, which could have an impact on our growth plans or on our flexibility to react to changing economic and business conditions. The financial market instability could have an impact on the lenders under our Credit Facilities or on our clients, causing them to fail to meet their obligations to us. Financial market difficulties could also adversely affect the ability of suppliers to meet scheduled delivery dates for our new aircraft and other aircraft parts.

Risks Related to Our Level of Indebtedness

Our level of indebtedness could adversely affect our financial condition and impair our ability to fulfill our obligations under our indebtedness.

We have a substantial amount of debt and significant debt service requirements. As of March 31, 2012, we had approximately $757.2 million of outstanding indebtedness.

Our level of indebtedness may have important consequences to our business, including:

 

   

impairing our ability to obtain additional financing in the future for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions or other general corporate purposes;

 

   

requiring us to dedicate a substantial portion of our cash flow to the payment of principal and interest on our indebtedness, which reduces the availability of our cash flow to fund working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions and other general corporate purposes or to repurchase our notes upon a change of control;

 

   

subjecting us to the risk of increased sensitivity to interest rate increases on our indebtedness with variable interest rates, including our borrowings under our Credit Facilities;

 

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increasing the possibility of an event of default under the financial and other covenants contained in our debt instruments; and

 

   

limiting our ability to adjust to rapidly changing market conditions, reducing our ability to withstand competitive pressures and making us more vulnerable to a downturn in general economic conditions or our business than our competitors with less debt.

If we are unable to generate sufficient cash flow from operations in the future to service our debt, we may be required to refinance all or a portion of our existing debt or obtain additional financing. There is no assurance that any such refinancing would be possible or that any additional financing could be obtained. Our inability to obtain such refinancing or financing may have a material adverse effect on us.

Despite our current level of indebtedness, we may incur substantially more debt, which could further exacerbate the risks associated with our level of indebtedness.

We had $140.1 million of availability for borrowings under our Credit Facilities as of March 31, 2012, subject to our maintenance of financial covenants and other conditions. Although the agreements governing our Credit Facilities and the indenture governing our 7 1/2% Senior Notes due 2017 (the “7 1/2% Senior Notes”) contain restrictions on the incurrence of additional indebtedness, these restrictions are subject to a number of qualifications and exceptions, and we could incur substantial additional indebtedness. In addition to amounts that we may borrow under our Credit Facilities, the indenture governing the 7 1/2% Senior Notes also allows us to borrow significant amounts of money from other sources. Also, these restrictions do not prevent us from incurring obligations that do not constitute “indebtedness” as defined in the relevant agreement. If we incur additional indebtedness, the related risks that we now face could intensify.

To service our indebtedness we will continue to require a significant amount of cash, and our ability to generate cash depends on many factors beyond our control.

Our ability to make scheduled payments of principal or interest with respect to our indebtedness will depend on our ability to generate cash and on our financial results. Our ability to generate cash depends on the demand for our services, which is subject to levels of activity in offshore oil and gas exploration, development and production, general economic conditions, the ability of our affiliates to generate and distribute cash flows, and financial, competitive, regulatory and other factors affecting our operations, many of which are beyond our control. We cannot assure you that our operations will generate sufficient cash flow or that future borrowings will be available to us under our Credit Facilities or otherwise in an amount sufficient to enable us to pay our indebtedness or to fund our other liquidity needs.

Covenants in our debt agreements may restrict the manner in which we can operate our business.

Our Credit Facilities and the indenture governing the 7 1/2% Senior Notes limit, among other things, our ability and the ability of our restricted subsidiaries to:

 

   

borrow money or issue guarantees;

 

   

pay dividends, redeem capital stock or make other restricted payments;

 

   

incur liens to secure indebtedness;

 

   

make certain investments;

 

   

sell certain assets;

 

   

enter into transactions with our affiliates; or

 

   

merge with another person or sell substantially all of our assets.

If we fail to comply with these and other covenants, we would be in default under our Credit Facilities and the indenture governing the 7 1/2% Senior Notes, and the principal and accrued interest on our outstanding indebtedness may become due and payable. In addition, our Credit Facilities contain, and our future indebtedness agreements may contain, additional affirmative and negative covenants.

 

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As a result, our ability to respond to changes in business and economic conditions and to obtain additional financing, if needed, may be significantly restricted, and we may be prevented from engaging in transactions that might otherwise be considered beneficial to us. Our Credit Facilities also require, and our future credit facilities may require, us to maintain specified financial ratios and satisfy certain financial condition tests. Our ability to meet these financial ratios and tests can be affected by events beyond our control, and we cannot assure you that we will meet those tests in the future. The breach of any of these covenants could result in a default under our Credit Facilities. Upon the occurrence of an event of default under our existing or future credit facilities, the lenders could elect to declare all amounts outstanding under such credit facilities, including accrued interest or other obligations, to be immediately due and payable. There can be no assurance that our assets would be sufficient to repay in full all of our indebtedness.

The instruments governing certain of our indebtedness, including our Credit Facilities and the indentures governing the 7 1/2% Senior Notes and the 3% Convertible Senior Notes, contain cross-default provisions. Under these provisions, a default under one instrument governing our indebtedness may constitute a default under our other instruments of indebtedness.

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments

None.

Item 2. Properties

The number and types of aircraft we operate are described in Item 1. “Business — Overview” above. In addition, we lease various office and operating facilities worldwide, including facilities at the Acadiana Regional Airport in New Iberia, Louisiana, the Redhill Aerodrome near London, England, the Aberdeen Airport, Scotland and along the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, and numerous residential locations near our operating bases in the U.K., Norway, Australia, Russia, Nigeria and Trinidad primarily for housing pilots and staff supporting those areas of operation. We lease office space in a building in Houston, Texas, which we use as our Corporate and Other International business unit headquarters. Additionally, we have multiple properties in Titusville, Florida, where the largest campus of our Bristow Academy business unit is located. These facilities are generally suitable for our operations and can be replaced with other available facilities if necessary.

Additional information about our properties can be found in Note 8 in the “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” included elsewhere in this Annual Report (under the captions “Aircraft Purchase Contracts” and “Operating Leases”). A detail of our long-lived assets by geographic area as of March 31, 2012 and 2011 can be found in Note 12 in the “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” included elsewhere in this Annual Report.

Item 3. Legal Proceedings

Nigerian Litigation

In November 2005, two of our consolidated foreign affiliates were named in a lawsuit filed with the High Court of Lagos State, Nigeria by Mr. Benneth Osita Onwubalili and his affiliated company, Kensit Nigeria Limited, which allegedly acted as agents of our affiliates in Nigeria. The claimants allege that an agreement between the parties was terminated without justification and seek damages of $16.3 million. We responded to this claim in early 2006. There has been minimal activity on this claim since then.

Civil Class Action Lawsuit

On June 12, 2009, Superior Offshore International, Inc. v. Bristow Group Inc., et al, Case No. 1:09-cv-00438, was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware. The purported class action complaint, which also named other providers of offshore helicopter services in the Gulf of Mexico as defendants, alleged violations of Section 1 of the Sherman Act. Among other things, the complaint alleged that the defendants unlawfully conspired to raise and maintain the price of offshore helicopter services between January 1, 2001 and December 31, 2005. The plaintiff was seeking to represent a purported class of direct purchasers of offshore helicopter services and was asking for, among other things, unspecified treble monetary damages and injunctive relief. In September 2010, the court granted our and the other defendants’ motion to dismiss the case on several grounds. The plaintiff then filed a motion seeking a rehearing and seeking leave to amend its original complaint which was partially granted to permit limited discovery. We and the other defendants again filed motions to dismiss the lawsuit which were granted. The plaintiff has since appealed the judgment in the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. We and the other defendants have filed a response, and will continue to defend against this lawsuit vigorously. We are currently unable to determine whether it could have a material effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

 

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Environmental Contingencies

The EPA has in the past notified us that we are a potential responsible party, or PRP, at three former waste disposal facilities that are on the National Priorities List of contaminated sites. Under the federal Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, also known as the Superfund law, persons who are identified as PRPs may be subject to strict, joint and several liability for the costs of cleaning up environmental contamination resulting from releases of hazardous substances at National Priorities List sites. Although we have not yet obtained a formal release of liability from the EPA with respect to any of the sites, we believe that our potential liability in connection with these sites is not likely to have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

Other Matters

Although infrequent, aircraft accidents have occurred in the past, and the related losses and liability claims have been covered by insurance subject to a deductible. We also are a defendant in certain claims and litigation arising out of operations in the normal course of business. In the opinion of management, uninsured losses, if any, will not be material to our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.

None.

PART II

Item 5. Market for the Registrant’s Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters

Our Common Stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) under the symbol “BRS.” The following table shows the range of closing prices for our Common Stock during each quarter of our last two fiscal years.

 

     Fiscal Year Ended March 31,  
     2012      2011  
     High      Low      High      Low  

First Quarter

   $ 51.02       $ 40.67       $ 40.15       $ 29.40   

Second Quarter

     52.32         38.04         36.58         29.36   

Third Quarter

     51.56         41.11         47.91         35.44   

Fourth Quarter

     50.03         44.53         51.95         45.63   

On May 18, 2012, the last reported sale price of our Common Stock on the NYSE was $44.99 per share. As of May 18, 2012, there were 546 holders of record of our Common Stock.

On May 4, August 3 and November 2, 2011, and February 1, 2012, our board of directors declared dividends of $0.15 per share of Common Stock. The dividends of $5.4 million each were paid on June 10, September 12, and December 12, 2011, and March 15, 2012 to shareholders of record on May 20, August 15 and November 18, 2011, and March 1, 2012, respectively. On May 18, 2012, our board of directors approved a dividend of $0.20 per share of Common Stock, payable on June 15, 2012 to shareholders of record on June 5, 2012. We did not pay dividends during fiscal year 2011. The declaration of future dividends is at the discretion of our board of directors and subject to our results of operations, financial condition, cash requirements and other factors and restrictions under applicable law and our debt instruments.

 

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The following graph compares the cumulative 5-year total shareholder return on our Common Stock relative to the cumulative total returns of the S&P 500 index and the PHLX Oil Service Sector index. The graph assumes that the value of the investment in our Common Stock and in each of the indices (including reinvestment of dividends) was $100 on March 31, 2007 and tracks it through March 31, 2012.

 

LOGO

 

     March 31,      March 31,      March 31,      March 31,      March 31,      March 31,  
     2007      2008      2009      2010      2011      2012  

Bristow Group Inc.

     100.00         147.24         58.79         103.51         129.77         132.74   

S&P 500

     100.00         94.92         58.77         88.02         101.79         110.48   

PHLX Oil Service Sector

     100.00         131.75         59.12         96.23         138.23         106.29   

 

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Item 6. Selected Financial Data

The following table contains our selected historical consolidated financial data. You should read this table along with Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our Consolidated Financial Statements and the related notes thereto, all of which are included elsewhere in this Annual Report.

 

      Fiscal Year Ended March 31,  
      2012(1)     2011(1)     2010(2)     2009(3)     2008(4)  
     (In thousands, except per share data)  

Statement of Income Data: (5) 

          

Gross revenue (6)

   $ 1,341,803      $ 1,232,808      $ 1,167,756      $ 1,133,803      $ 1,012,764   

Net income from continuing operations (6)

   $ 65,241      $ 133,295      $ 113,495      $ 125,530      $ 107,731   

Loss from discontinued operations

     —          —          —          (246 )       (3,822 )  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

     65,241        133,295        113,495        125,284        103,909   

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests

     (1,711 )       (980 )       (1,481 )       (2,327 )       83   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income attributable to Bristow Group

   $ 63,530      $ 132,315      $ 112,014      $ 122,957      $ 103,992   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Basic earnings per common share: (5) 

          

Earnings from continuing operations (6)

   $ 1.76      $ 3.67      $ 3.23      $ 3.96      $ 4.00   

Loss from discontinued operations

     —          —          —          —          (0.16 )  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net earnings

   $ 1.76      $ 3.67      $ 3.23      $ 3.96      $ 3.84   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted earnings per common share: (5) 

          

Earnings from continuing operations (6)

   $ 1.73      $ 3.60      $ 3.10      $ 3.57      $ 3.53   

Loss from discontinued operations

     —          —          —          (0.01 )       (0.12 )  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net earnings

   $ 1.73      $ 3.60      $ 3.10      $ 3.56      $ 3.41   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

      March 31,  
      2012      2011      2010      2009      2008  
     (In thousands)  

Balance Sheet Data: (5)

              

Total assets

   $ 2,740,363       $ 2,675,354       $ 2,494,620       $ 2,334,571       $ 1,977,355   

Long-term obligations (7)

     757,245         718,836         728,163         723,913         606,218   

 

(1) 

Results for fiscal year 2012 include a loss on disposal of assets of $31.7 million, primarily due to impairment charges on aircraft held for sale, and a $25.9 million write-down of inventory spare parts to lower of cost or market value. Additional discussion on these items and other significant items in fiscal years 2012 and 2011 are discussed under Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Executive Overview — Overview of Operating Results — Fiscal Year 2012 Compared to Fiscal Year 2011” included elsewhere in this Annual Report.

 

(2) 

Results for fiscal year 2010 include the significant items discussed under Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Executive Overview — Overview of Operating Results — Fiscal Year 2011 Compared to Fiscal Year 2010” included elsewhere in this Annual Report.

 

(3) 

Results for fiscal year 2009 include $36.2 million ($23.4 million, net of tax) in gains from the sale of 53 small aircraft and related assets operating in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, $4.1 million ($2.9 million, net of tax) in costs in Australia related to local tax matters, increases in compensation costs retroactive to prior fiscal years and one-time costs associated with introducing new aircraft into this market and moving aircraft within this market, $6.8 million ($4.8 million, net of tax) from a reduction in maintenance expense associated with a credit resulting from renegotiation of a “power-by-the-hour” contract for aircraft maintenance with a third-party provider, $2.4 million ($1.8 million, net of tax) from a decrease in flight revenue and an increase in costs associated with the impact of hurricanes in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico and $4.4 million ($3.7 million, net of tax) from the April 2008 restructuring of our ownership interest in affiliates in Mexico.

 

(4) 

Results for fiscal year 2008 include $1.0 million ($0.7 million, net of tax) in a reversal of costs accrued for the Internal Review resulting from settlement of an SEC investigation, $1.3 million ($0.8 million, net of tax) in costs associated with the DOJ investigations, $10.7 million ($7.0 million, net of tax) in net interest incurred on the 7 1/2% Senior Notes issued in

 

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June and November 2007 and $1.5 million ($1.0 million, net of tax) of foreign currency transaction gains. Diluted earnings per share for fiscal year 2008 was also impacted by the issuance of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock (“Preferred Stock”) in September and October 2006, which resulted in a reduction of $0.96 per share.

 

(5) 

Results of operations and financial position of companies that we have acquired have been included beginning on the respective dates of acquisition and include Bristow Academy (April 2007), Vortex Helicopters, Inc. (November 2007), Rotorwing Leasing Resources, L.L.C. (“RLR”) (April 2008 and July 2011), Bristow Norway (October 2008), and Severn Aviation (“Severn”) (December 2008). Amounts also include our investment in Líder (May 2009).

 

(6) 

Excludes amounts related to Grasso Production Management, which are classified as discontinued.

 

(7) 

Includes long-term debt, current maturities of long-term debt and a capital lease obligation.

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations should be read in conjunction with “Forward-Looking Statements,” Item 1A. “Risk Factors” and our Consolidated Financial Statements for fiscal years 2012, 2011 and 2010, and the related notes thereto, all of which are included elsewhere in this Annual Report.

Executive Overview

This Executive Overview only includes what management considers to be the most important information and analysis for evaluating our financial condition and operating performance. It provides the context for the discussion and analysis of the financial statements which follow and does not disclose every item impacting our financial condition and operating performance.

See discussion of our business and the operations within our Helicopter Services Segment under Part I. Item 1. “Business — Overview” included elsewhere in this Annual Report.

Our Strategy

Our goal is to strengthen our position as a leading helicopter services provider to the offshore energy industry. We intend to employ the following well defined business/commercial and capital allocation strategies to achieve this goal:

Business/Commercial Strategy

 

   

Be the preferred provider of helicopter services. We position our business to be the preferred provider of helicopter services by maintaining strong relationships with our clients and providing safe and high-quality service. In order to create further differentiation and add value to our clients, we have expanded our well-established and successful global “Target Zero” safety program to also focus on additional areas related to maximizing uptime and service levels. The new expanded program called the “Bristow Client Promise” is focused on enhancing our value to our clients through the initiatives of “Target Zero Accidents,” “Target Zero Downtime” and “Target Zero Complaints.” This program is designed to deliver continuous improvement in all these important areas and demonstrate Bristow Group’s commitment to providing higher hours of zero-accident flight time with on-time and up-time helicopter transportation service. We maintain relationships with our clients’ field operations and corporate management that we believe helps us better anticipate client needs and provide our clients with the right aircraft in the right place at the right time, which in turn allows us to better manage our fleet utilization and capital investment program. We also leverage our close relationships with our clients to establish mutually beneficial operating practices and safety standards worldwide. By applying standardized first-rate operating and safety practices across our global operations, we seek to provide our clients with consistent, high-quality service in each of their areas of operation. By better understanding and delivering on our clients’ needs with our global operations and safety standards, we believe we effectively compete against other helicopter service providers based on aircraft availability, client service, safety and reliability, and not just price.

 

   

Grow our business while managing our assets. We plan to continue to grow our business globally and increase our revenue and profitability over time, while managing through cyclical downturns in the energy industry. We conduct flight operations in most major oil and gas producing regions of the world, and through our strong relationships with our existing clients, we are aware of future business opportunities in the markets we currently

 

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serve that would allow us to grow through new contracts. We anticipate these new opportunities will result in the deployment of new or existing aircraft into markets where we expect they will earn desirable rates of return. Additionally, new opportunities may result in growth through acquisitions and investments in existing or new markets, which may include increasing our role and participation with existing unconsolidated affiliates, investing in new companies, or creating partnerships and alliances with existing industry participants. We believe the combination of growth in existing and new markets will deliver improved shareholder returns.

Capital Allocation Strategy

Our capital allocation strategy is based on three principles as follows:

 

LOGO

 

   

Prudent balance sheet management. Throughout our corporate and business unit management, we proactively manage our capital allocation plan with a concentration on achieving business growth and improving rates of return, within the dictates of prudent balance sheet management. We have funded our successful growth plan and maintained adequate liquidity by raising approximately $1.4 billion of debt and equity by means of both public and private financings since fiscal year 2007, and we intend to continue managing our capital structure and liquidity position relative to our commitments with external financings when necessary and through the use of operating leases for 20-30% of our Large AirCraft Equivalent (“LACE”). Our adjusted debt to total equity ratio and total liquidity were 70.8% and $401.6 million, respectively, as of March 31, 2012 and 63.0% and $260.7 million, respectively, as of March 31, 2011. Adjusted debt includes the net present value of operating leases totaling $190.2 million and $132.3 million, respectively, letters of credit and guarantees totaling $17.5 million and $17.8 million, respectively, and the unfunded pension liability of $111.7 million and $99.6 million, respectively, as of March 31, 2012 and 2011.

 

   

Highest return of BVA. We have implemented an internal financial management framework we call Bristow Value Added (“BVA”) to enhance our focus on the returns we deliver across our organization. BVA is computed by subtracting a capital charge for the use of gross invested capital from after tax operating cash flow. Our goal is to achieve strong improvements in BVA over time by (1) improving the returns we earn throughout our organization via cost and capital efficiency improvements as well as through better pricing based on the differentiated value we deliver to clients via aircraft safety, availability, client service and reliability; (2) deploying more capital into commercial opportunities where management believes we can deliver strong returns and when we believe it will benefit the Company and our shareholders, making strategic acquisitions or strategic equity investments; and (3) withdrawing capital from areas where returns are deemed inadequate and unable to be sufficiently improved. When appropriate, we may divest parts of the Company. Improvements in BVA is the primary financial measure in our management incentive plan starting in fiscal year 2012, aligning the interests of management with shareholders.

 

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Balanced shareholder return. We have invested $1.9 billion on capital expenditures to grow our business since fiscal year 2007. We believe our liquidity position and cash flows from operations will be adequate to finance operating and maintenance capital expenditures, so we have considered our capital deployment alternatives for the future to deliver a more balanced return to our shareholders. On May 18, 2012, our board of directors approved our fifth consecutive quarterly dividend. Also, on November 2, 2011, our board of directors authorized the expenditure of up to $100 million to repurchase shares of our Common Stock within 12 months from that date. During fiscal year 2012, we repurchased $25.1 million of our Common Stock. The timing and method of any repurchases under the program will depend on a variety of factors, is subject to our results of operations, financial condition, cash requirements and other factors and restrictions under applicable law and our debt instruments, and may be suspended or discontinued at any time.

Market Outlook

Our core business is providing helicopter services to the worldwide oil and gas industry. Our clients’ operating expenditures in the production sector are the principal source of our revenue, while their exploration and development capital expenditures provide a lesser portion of our revenue. Our clients typically base their capital expenditure budgets on their long-term commodity price expectations and not exclusively on the current spot price. In 2009, the credit, equity and commodity markets were quite volatile causing many of our oil and gas company clients to reduce capital spending plans and defer projects. Growing confidence among our clients has led to increased capital expenditure budgets resulting in some larger projects moving ahead that were previously on hold. This led to improvement in our fiscal year 2011 financial performance and continued slow and steady growth in fiscal year 2012.

While we are cautiously optimistic that the economic conditions will continue to recover in fiscal year 2013, we continue to seek ways to operate more effectively and work with our clients to improve the efficiency of their operations. Our global operations and critical mass of helicopters provide us with geographic and client diversity which helps mitigate risks associated with a single market or client. This economic recovery should lead to an accelerated expansion in fiscal year 2013 and beyond and increased demand in many of our core markets.

The limited availability of some new aircraft models and the need throughout the industry to retire many of the older aircraft in the worldwide fleet is a driver for our industry. Currently manufacturers have some available aircraft; however, there are some constraints on supply of new large aircraft.

Brazil continues to represent a significant part of our positive growth outlook. The recent discovery of pre-salt deepwater fields in Brazil along with the national mandate to significantly increase its production over the next five years will necessitate investment in infrastructure and associated services. As a result, we anticipate and have begun to enjoy growth in both international oil companies and Petrobras activity as they ramp up their procurement of helicopters services. Since 2009, Petrobras procured around 20 large aircraft as they renewed their fleet and added incremental capacity in this category. Petrobras issued a tender for over 25 medium sized aircraft in 2011 of which a significant portion was incremental capacity. Líder, our investment in Brazil, was awarded contracts for 14 of these 25 medium aircraft, which was the maximum amount possible under the bid rules. Seven commenced in fiscal year 2012 and the other seven will commence in fiscal year 2013. Aircraft being procured in this market tend to be newer and more sophisticated which is aligned with both Bristow Group’s “Client Promise” and Líder’s “Decolar” service differentiation programs. More recently, Petrobras is due to issue the results of a tender for approximately eight to ten large aircraft. There is another tender on the market possibly for two large aircraft to operate in the north/northeast region of Brazil. The above growth trend is anticipated to continue to keep pace with Brazil’s national production policies.

As discussed in Item 1A. “Risk Factors” included elsewhere in this Annual Report, we are subject to competition and the political environment in the countries where we operate. In one of these markets, Nigeria, we have seen a recent increase in competitive pressure and new regulation that could impact our ability to win future work at levels previously anticipated. During fiscal year 2011, in both Nigeria and Australia we had major clients re-bid contracts that we were incumbents on and award these contracts to competitors. The contract in Nigeria provided us with annualized revenue of approximately $42 million and ended in fiscal year 2011. The contract in Australia provided us with annualized revenue of approximately $30 million and ended in May 2011.

In Nigeria, we have seen a recent increase in competitive pressure and new regulation that could impact our ability to win future work at levels previously anticipated. In order to properly and fully embrace new regulations, we have agreed in principle to make a number of key changes to our operating model in Nigeria, while maintaining safety as our number one priority at all times. These changes are still being finalized, with the objectives of these changes being (a) allowing each of BHNL and PAAN to have more autonomy over its own flight operations, (b) providing technical aviation maintenance services through a new wholly-owned Bristow Group entity, BATS, (c) enabling BHNL and PAAN to operate freely in the market place each as a completely separate entity with its own distinct identity, management and workforce, and (d) each of BHNL, PAAN and BATS committing to continue to apply and use all key Bristow Group standards and policies, including without limitation our Target Zero safety program, our Code of Business Integrity and our Operations Manuals. As a result of these changes, our ability to continue to consolidate BHNL and PAAN under the current accounting requirements could change.

We conduct business in various foreign countries, and as such, our cash flows and earnings are subject to fluctuations and related risks from changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Throughout fiscal year 2012, our primary foreign currency exposure was related to the euro, the British pound sterling, the Australian dollar, the Nigerian naira and the Brazilian real. For details on this exposure and the related impact on our results of operations, see Item 7A. “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk” included elsewhere in this Annual Report.

 

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Bristow Group’s most important initiative is delivering on our Client Promise to provide helicopter transportation with unmatched safety, uptime performance and hassle-free service. The foundation of the Client Promise is the value we place on the work our clients do, with drilling and production teams in remote and challenging offshore environments developing much-needed oil and gas resources. To match client expectations with Bristow Group’s ability to meet and exceed them, we are adding capacity and capabilities to strengthen our service quality program and continue to improve our world-class helicopter transport services.

The management of our global aircraft fleet involves a careful evaluation of the expected demand for helicopter services across global energy markets, including the type of aircraft needed to meet this demand. As offshore oil and gas drilling and production globally moves to deeper water, more medium and large aircraft and newer technology aircraft may be required. As older aircraft models come off of current contracts and are replaced by new aircraft, our management evaluates our future needs for these aircraft models and ultimately the ability to recover our remaining investment in these aircraft through sales into the aftermarket. We depreciate our aircraft over their expected useful life to the expected salvage value to be received for the aircraft at the end of that life; however, depending on the market for aircraft or changes in the expected future use of aircraft within our fleet, we may record gains or losses on aircraft sales or impairment charges for aircraft operating or held for sale. In certain instances where a cash return can be made on newer aircraft in excess of the expected return available through the provision of helicopter services, we may sell newer aircraft. The number of aircraft sales and the amount of gains and losses recorded on these sales is unpredictable. While aircraft sales are common in our business and are reflected in our operating results, gains and losses on aircraft sales may result in our operating results not reflecting the ordinary operating performance of our primary business, which is providing helicopter services to our clients. The gains and losses on aircraft sales are not included in the calculation of adjusted earnings per share or gross cash flows for BVA.

During fiscal year 2012, changes were made to our fleet strategy as a result of (a) a continued shift in demand for our aircraft to newer technology aircraft types, (b) the introduction of the Bristow Client Promise through which we will position Bristow Group as the premium service provider of offshore transportation services and (c) the introduction of BVA. The change in demand for our older aircraft has accelerated over the last few quarters as a result of a renewed focus on safety and reliability across the offshore energy industry after the Macondo oil spill in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico. The change in fleet strategy resulted in the determination that we will operate certain older types of aircraft for a shorter period than originally anticipated and led to the global review of spare parts inventories supporting our fleet. This review of inventories resulted in the identification of approximately $50 million of inventory that is dormant, obsolete or excess based on the review of our future inventory needs. As a result, we recorded impairment charges of $25.9 million to write-down certain spare parts within inventories to lower of cost or market value during fiscal year 2012. Additionally, during fiscal year 2012 we sold nine AS332L large aircraft realizing a loss of $5.6 million. In conjunction with this sale, we entered into an agreement to sell two more AS332Ls during fiscal year 2013, one of which was sold in April 2012. As a result of losses realized on the sale of similar aircraft in fiscal year 2012, we recorded an impairment charge, included within gain (loss) on disposal of assets, related to the two AS332Ls to be sold in fiscal year 2013 and five other held for sale AS332Ls of $23.3 million during fiscal year 2012. We also completed a review of the remainder of our held for sale and operational fleet of aircraft, which resulted in the impairment of two medium aircraft that our management intends to sell prior to the previously estimated useful life of the aircraft. This impairment charge of $2.7 million is included within depreciation and amortization.

 

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Overview of Operating Results

The following table presents our operating results and other statement of income information for the applicable periods:

 

     Fiscal Years Ended March 31,     Favorable  
     2012     2011     (Unfavorable)  
     (In thousands, except per share  
     amounts, percentages and flight hours)  

Gross revenue:

        

Operating revenue

   $ 1,199,227      $ 1,114,896      $ 84,331        7.6

Reimbursable revenue

     142,576        117,912        24,664        20.9
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total gross revenue

     1,341,803        1,232,808        108,995        8.8
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Operating expense:

        

Direct cost

     810,728        748,053        (62,675     (8.4 )% 

Reimbursable expense

     136,922        114,288        (22,634     (19.8 )% 

Impairment of inventories

     25,919        —          (25,919     *   

Depreciation and amortization

     96,144        89,377        (6,767     (7.6 )% 

General and administrative

     135,333        120,145        (15,188     (12.6 )% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   
     1,205,046        1,071,863        (133,183     (12.4 )% 

Gain (loss) on disposal of assets

     (31,670     8,678        (40,348     *   

Earnings from unconsolidated affiliates, net of losses

     10,679        20,101        (9,422     (46.9 )% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Operating income

     115,766        189,724        (73,958     (39.0 )% 

Interest expense, net

     (37,570     (45,095     7,525        16.7

Other income (expense), net

     1,246        (4,230     5,476        129.5
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Income before provision for income taxes

     79,442        140,399        (60,957     (43.4 )% 

Provision for income taxes

     (14,201     (7,104     (7,097     (99.9 )% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Net income

     65,241        133,295        (68,054     (51.1 )% 

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests

     (1,711     (980     (731     (74.6 )% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Net income attributable to Bristow Group

   $ 63,530      $ 132,315      $ (68,785     (52.0 )% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Diluted earnings per common share

   $ 1.73      $ 3.60      $ (1.87     (51.9 )% 

Operating margin (1)

     9.7     17.0     (7.3 )%      (42.9 )% 

Flight hours (2)

     209,010        233,868        (24,858     (10.6 )% 

Non-GAAP financial measures: (3)

        

Adjusted operating income

   $ 180,864      $ 182,852      $ (1,988     (1.1 )% 

Adjusted operating margin (1)

     15.1     16.4     (1.3 )%      (7.9 )% 

Adjusted EBITDAR

   $ 319,488      $ 297,714      $ 21,774        7.3

Adjusted EBITDAR margin (1)

     26.6     26.7     (0.1 )%      (0.4 )% 

Adjusted net income

   $ 114,641      $ 113,045      $ 1,596        1.4

Adjusted diluted earnings per share

   $ 3.12      $ 3.08      $ 0.04        1.3

 

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      Fiscal Years Ended
March 31,
    Favorable
(Unfavorable)
 
     2011     2010    
    

(In thousands, except per share

amounts, percentages and flight hours)

 

Gross revenue:

        

Operating revenue

   $ 1,114,896      $ 1,061,091      $ 53,805        5.1

Reimbursable revenue

     117,912        106,665        11,247        10.5
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total gross revenue

     1,232,808        1,167,756        65,052        5.6
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Operating expense:

        

Direct cost

     748,053        717,178        (30,875     (4.3 )% 

Reimbursable expense

     114,288        105,853        (8,435     (8.0 )% 

Depreciation and amortization

     89,377        74,684        (14,693     (19.7 )% 

General and administrative

     120,145        119,701        (444     (0.4 )% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   
     1,071,863        1,017,416        (54,447     (5.4 )% 

Gain on disposal of assets

     8,678        18,665        (9,987     (53.5 )% 

Earnings from unconsolidated affiliates, net of losses

     20,101        11,852        8,249        69.6
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Operating income

     189,724        180,857        8,867        4.9

Interest expense, net

     (45,095     (41,400     (3,695     (8.9 )% 

Other income (expense), net

     (4,230     3,036        (7,266     (239.3 )% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Income before provision for income taxes

     140,399        142,493        (2,094     (1.5 )% 

Provision for income taxes

     (7,104     (28,998     21,894        75.5
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Net income

     133,295        113,495        19,800        17.4

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests

     (980     (1,481     501        33.8
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Net income attributable to Bristow Group

   $ 132,315      $ 112,014      $ 20,301        18.1
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Diluted earnings per common share

   $ 3.60      $ 3.10      $ 0.50        16.1

Operating margin (1)

     17.0     17.0        

Flight hours (2)

     233,868        225,699        8,169        3.6

Non-GAAP financial measures:(3)

        

Adjusted operating income

   $ 182,852      $ 162,875      $ 19,977        12.3

Adjusted operating income margin (1)

     16.4     15.3     1.1     7.2

Adjusted EBITDAR

   $ 297,714      $ 268,245      $ 29,469        11.0

Adjusted EBITDAR margin (1)

     26.7     25.3     1.4     5.5

Adjusted net income

   $ 113,045      $ 96,982      $ 16,063        16.6

Adjusted diluted earnings per share

   $ 3.08      $ 2.69      $ 0.39        14.5

 

*

percentage change not meaningful

(1) 

Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by operating revenue. Adjusted operating margin is calculated as adjusted operating income divided by operating revenue. Adjusted EBITDAR margin is calculated as adjusted EBITDAR divided by operating revenue.

 

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(2) 

Excludes flight hours from Bristow Academy and unconsolidated affiliates.

(3) 

These financial measures have not been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) and have not been audited or reviewed by our independent auditor. These financial measures are therefore considered non-GAAP financial measures. Adjusted EBITDAR is calculated by taking our net income and adjusting for interest expense, depreciation and amortization, rent expense (included as components of direct cost and general and administrative expense), provision for income taxes, gain (loss) on disposal of assets and any special items during the reported periods. See further discussion of our use of the adjusted EBITDAR metric below. Adjusted net income and adjusted diluted earnings per share are each adjusted for gain (loss) on disposal of assets and any special items during the reported periods. Management believes these non-GAAP financial measures provide meaningful supplemental information regarding our results because they exclude amounts that management does not consider part of our normal and recurring operations when assessing and measuring the operational and financial performance of the organization. A description of the adjustments to and reconciliations of these non-GAAP financial measures to the most comparable GAAP financial measures is as follows:

 

      Fiscal Year Ended March 31,  
     2012     2011     2010  
     (In thousands, except per share amounts)  

Adjusted operating income

   $ 180,864      $ 182,852      $ 162,875   

Gain (loss) on disposal of assets

     (31,670     8,678        18,665   

Special items(i)

     (33,428     (1,806     (683
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income

   $ 115,766      $ 189,724      $ 180,857   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDAR

   $ 319,488      $ 297,714      $ 268,245   

Gain (loss) on disposal of assets

     (31,670     8,678        18,665   

Special items(i)

     (28,061     (1,245     3   

Depreciation and amortization

     (96,144     (89,377     (74,684

Rent expense

     (46,041     (29,184     (27,324

Interest expense

     (38,130     (46,187     (42,412

Provision for income taxes

     (14,201     (7,104     (28,998
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

   $ 65,241      $ 133,295      $ 113,495   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted net income

   $ 114,641      $ 113,045      $ 96,982   

Gain (loss) on disposal of assets(ii)

     (26,008     7,145        12,132   

Special items(i) (ii)

     (25,103     12,125        2,900   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income attributable to Bristow Group

   $ 63,530      $ 132,315      $ 112,014   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted diluted earnings per share

   $ 3.12      $ 3.08      $ 2.69   

Gain (loss) on disposal of assets(ii)

     (0.71     0.19        0.34   

Special items(i) (ii)

     (0.68     0.34        0.08   

Diluted earnings per share

     1.73        3.60        3.10   

 

(i) 

See information about special items during fiscal years ended March 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 under “Fiscal Year 2012 Compared to Fiscal Year 2011” and “Fiscal Year 2011 Compared to Fiscal Year 2010” below.

(ii) 

These amounts are presented after applying the appropriate tax effect to each item and dividing by the weighted average shares outstanding during the related period to calculate the earnings per share impact.

Adjusted EBITDAR is a new metric utilized for our reporting within this Annual Report. Management believes that adjusted EBITDAR provides relevant and useful information, which is widely used by analysts, investors and competitors in our industry as well as by our management in assessing both consolidated and business unit performance. Adjusted EBITDAR provides us with an understanding of one aspect of earnings before the impact of investing and financing transactions and income taxes. Additionally, we believe that adjusted EBITDAR provides us with a better overall measure of our operational performance by excluding the financing decisions we make regarding aircraft purchasing or leasing decisions. Adjusted EBITDAR is not calculated or presented in accordance with GAAP and other

 

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companies in our industry may calculate adjusted EBITDAR differently than we do. As a result, these financial measures have limitations as analytical and comparative tools and you should not consider these items in isolation, or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under GAAP. Adjusted EBITDAR should not be considered as a measure of discretionary cash available to us to invest in the growth of our business. In calculating these financial measures, we make certain adjustments that are based on assumptions and estimates that may prove to be inaccurate. In addition, in evaluating these financial measures, you should be aware that in the future we may incur expenses similar to those eliminated in this presentation. Our presentation of adjusted EBITDAR, as well as adjusted operating income, adjusted net income and adjusted diluted earnings per share, should not be construed as an inference that our future results will be unaffected by unusual or special items.

Adjusted EBITDAR has limitations as an analytical tool, and should not be considered in isolation, or as a substitute for analysis of our results reported under GAAP. Some of the limitations are:

 

   

Adjusted EBITDAR does not reflect our current or future cash requirements for capital expenditures;

 

   

Adjusted EBITDAR does not reflect changes in, or cash requirements for, our working capital needs;

 

   

Adjusted EBITDAR does not reflect the significant interest expense, or the cash requirements necessary to service interest or principal payments, on our debts;

 

   

Although depreciation and amortization are non-cash charges, the assets being depreciated and amortized will often have to be replaced in the future, and adjusted EBITDAR does not reflect any cash requirements for such replacements; and

 

   

Other companies in our industry may calculate adjusted EBITDAR differently than we do, limiting its usefulness as a comparative measure.

The following presents business unit adjusted EBITDAR and adjusted EBITDAR margin, and consolidated adjusted EBITDAR and adjusted EBITDAR margin discussed in “Business Unit Operating Results” for fiscal years 2012, 2011 and 2010 (in thousands):

 

      Fiscal Year Ended March 31,  
     2012     2011     2010  

Europe

   $ 147,870      $ 125,843      $ 113,765   

West Africa

     86,158        76,411        75,090   

North America

     30,609        35,469        33,451   

Australia

     36,026        43,053        40,468   

Other International

     55,960        57,385        41,352   

Corporate and other

     (37,135     (40,447     (35,881
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Consolidated adjusted EBITDAR

   $ 319,488      $ 297,714      $ 268,245   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Europe

     32.9     32.7     30.8

West Africa

     35.0     35.2     36.0

North America

     17.3     18.5     17.8

Australia

     24.3     29.3     32.4

Other International

     39.5     39.3     31.0

Consolidated adjusted EBITDAR margin

     26.6     26.7     25.3

 

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Fiscal Year 2012 Compared to Fiscal Year 2011

Our results for fiscal year 2012 included a $109.0 million, or 8.8%, increase in gross revenue over fiscal year 2011 primarily resulting from:

 

   

Increased operating revenue from the addition of new contracts and improvements in overall flight activity in our Europe and West Africa business units,

 

   

A favorable impact from changes in foreign currency exchange rates that increased gross revenue by $29.1 million (this primarily benefitted our revenue in Europe and Australia), and

 

   

Increased reimbursable revenue (primarily in Europe).

This increase was partially offset by decreased revenue in North America as a result of short-term work for BP in support of the spill control and monitoring effort in fiscal year 2011 and reduced activity as a result of the impact of permitting delays from new regulations in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico.

Despite the increase in operating revenue, our operating income, net income and diluted earnings per share for fiscal year 2012 decreased from fiscal year 2011. These decreases primarily resulted from the following items that more than offset the increased revenue in the fiscal year:

 

   

The impact of special items in fiscal years 2012 and 2011, as described below, that reduced operating income by $33.4 million, net income by $25.1 million and diluted earnings per share by $0.68 in fiscal year 2012 compared to reducing operating income by $1.8 million and increasing net income by $12.1 million and diluted earnings per share by $0.34 in fiscal year 2011.

 

   

A loss on disposal of assets of $31.7 million during fiscal year 2012 compared to a gain on disposal of assets of $8.7 million in fiscal year 2011 resulting in a year-over-year reduction of operating income of $40.3 million, net income by $33.2 million and diluted earnings per share by $0.90. The loss on disposal of assets in fiscal year 2012 includes impairment charges of $26.3 million to reduce the carrying value of 19 aircraft held for sale and a loss of $5.6 million on the sale of nine large aircraft.

 

   

A $9.4 million decrease in earnings from unconsolidated affiliates in fiscal year 2012, primarily resulting from an unfavorable impact of foreign currency exchange rate changes on earnings from our investment in Líder in Brazil (reflected in our Other International business unit).

 

   

An increase in compensation cost for our employees in fiscal year 2012, primarily impacting our results at the corporate level and in our Europe business unit. Increased compensation cost represented 35% of the $62.7 million increase in direct cost over fiscal year 2011 and 64% of the $15.2 million increase in general and administrative expenses.

The special items impacting results for fiscal year 2012 included the following:

 

   

A $25.9 million write-down of inventory spare parts to lower of cost or market value as management has made the determination to operate certain types of aircraft for a shorter period than originally anticipated,

 

   

An impairment charge of $2.7 million recorded in depreciation and amortization expense resulting from the abandonment of certain assets located in Creole, Louisiana and used in North America business unit as we ceased operations from that location,

 

   

An impairment charge of $2.7 million for two medium aircraft, which management intends to sell prior to the previously estimated useful life of the aircraft, recorded in depreciation and amortization expense resulting from the review of our operational fleet,

 

   

$2.1 million of direct costs associated with the sale transaction executed in fiscal year 2012 to sell 11 large aircraft, and

 

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A $0.8 million increase in tax expense related to dividend inclusion as a result of internal realignment, partially offset by a reduction in tax expense from a change from deduction of foreign taxes paid to use of the taxes paid as credits to offset U.S. tax liabilities and a benefit from the release of a tax reserve in a foreign jurisdiction due to a favorable response to a ruling request.

The special items impacting results in fiscal year 2011 included the following:

 

   

Additional depreciation expense of $5.3 million recorded as a result of the impairment of previously capitalized internal software costs as the related project was abandoned,

 

   

A charge of $2.4 million recorded as a reduction in other income (expense), net related to the impairment of our 24% investment in Heliservicio resulting from the pending sale of the investment,

 

   

The early retirement of the 6 1/8% Senior Notes in fiscal year 2011, which resulted in a $2.3 million redemption premium (included in other income (expense), net) and the non-cash write-off of $2.4 million of unamortized debt issuance costs (included in interest expense),

 

   

A reduction in maintenance expense (included in direct cost) of $3.5 million associated with a credit resulting from the renegotiation of a “power-by-the-hour” contract for aircraft maintenance with a third-party provider, and

 

   

A reduction in the provision for income taxes of $17.7 million related to adjustments to deferred tax liabilities that were no longer required as a result of the restructuring during fiscal year 2011.

The impact of these items on our adjusted operating income, adjusted EBITDAR, adjusted net income and adjusted diluted earnings per share is as follows:

 

     Fiscal Year Ended
March 31, 2012
 
     Adjusted
Operating
Income
    Adjusted
EBITDAR
    Adjusted
Net Income
    Adjusted
Diluted  Earnings
Per Share
 
     (In thousands, except per share amounts)  

Impairment of inventories

   $ (25,919   $ (25,919   $ (18,514   $ (0.50

Impairment of aircraft

     (2,690     —          (2,661     (0.07

Impairment of assets in Creole, Louisiana

     (2,677     —          (1,740     (0.05

AS332L sale costs

     (2,142     (2,142     (1,393     (0.04

Tax items

     —          —          (795     (0.02
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total special items

   $ (33,428   $ (28,061   $ (25,103     (0.68
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   
      Fiscal Year Ended
March 31, 2011
 
     Adjusted
Operating
Income
    Adjusted
EBITDAR
    Adjusted
Net Income
    Adjusted
Diluted Earnings
Per Share
 
     (In thousands, except per share amounts)  

Impairment of IT system

   $ (5,306   $ —        $ (3,449   $ (0.09

Impairment of investment in affiliate

     —          (2,445     (1,589     (0.04

Power-by-the-hour credit

     3,500        3,500        2,520        0.07   

Retirement of 6 1/8% Senior Notes

     —          (2,300     (3,055     (0.08

Tax items

     —          —          17,698        0.48   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total special items

   $ (1,806   $ (1,245   $ 12,125        0.34   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

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The significant impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates on gross revenue was partially offset by an impact on operating expenses. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates decreased operating income, net income and diluted earnings per share in fiscal year 2012 by $5.5 million, $4.5 million and $0.12, respectively, compared to fiscal year 2011.

Adjusted EBITDAR, adjusted net income and adjusted diluted earnings per share, the primary financial metrics considered by our management when assessing and measuring the operational and financial performance of the organization, increased in fiscal year 2012 by 7.3%, 1.4% and 1.3%, respectively, compared to fiscal year 2011. The improvement in these results, primarily adjusted EBITDAR, was driven by strength in Europe and West Africa resulting from substantial revenue growth in these important markets. However, as a result of the decrease in earnings from unconsolidated affiliates and increased compensation expense, adjusted EBITDAR margin remained mostly flat.

Fiscal Year 2011 Compared to Fiscal Year 2010

Our results for fiscal year 2011 included a $65.1 million, or 5.6%, increase in gross revenue over fiscal year 2010 primarily resulting from:

 

   

Increased revenue across all of our primary business units largely as a result of the addition of new contracts and increases in rates on existing contracts,

 

   

A favorable impact of exchange rate changes in Australia, and

 

   

An increase in reimbursable revenue.

These items were partially offset by:

 

   

The impact of reduced activity for certain clients,

 

   

An unfavorable impact of exchange rate changes in Europe, and

 

   

A decrease in revenue from Bristow Academy due to a delay in military training contracts.

Our operating income, net income and diluted earnings per share also improved in fiscal year 2011, driven primarily by results in our Europe, North America and Other International business units, including an increase in earnings from unconsolidated affiliates, net of losses, primarily from our investment in Líder in Brazil, partially offset by lower gain on disposal of assets and lower operating results in certain other business units, primarily Australia and West Africa.

In addition to the items affecting operating results discussed above, the improvement over fiscal year 2010 resulted from a $4.2 million decrease in our provision for income taxes, partially offset by a $1.3 million increase in interest expense, net. Our results in fiscal years 2011 and 2010 were also impacted by special items. See discussion of the special items impacting results for fiscal year 2011 above.

Additionally, our results for fiscal year 2011 were favorably impacted by changes in exchange rates versus fiscal year 2010, which resulted in an increase in operating income of $5.0 million, net income of $1.8 million and diluted earnings per share of $0.05.

The special items impacting results for fiscal year 2010 included the following:

 

   

A bad debt allowance of $3.6 million recorded for accounts receivable due from our unconsolidated affiliate in Mexico (included in direct cost), which we determined were not probable of collection,

 

   

A reduction in a bad debt allowance on accounts receivable due from a client in Kazakhstan of $2.5 million (included in direct cost),

 

   

A reduction in depreciation expense of $3.3 million recorded during the three months ended March 31, 2010 for errors in calculation of depreciation on certain aircraft in prior fiscal years,

 

   

A net expense reduction in Australia upon resolution of local tax matters during the three months ended March 31, 2010 that reduced direct cost by $1.1 million and general and administrative expense by $0.9 million,

 

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Compensation costs of $4.9 million associated with the departure of three of the Company’s officers (included in general and administrative expense), and

 

   

Hedging gains of $3.9 million resulting from to the termination of forward contracts on euro-denominated aircraft purchase commitments, included in other income (expense), net.

The impact of these items on our adjusted operating income, adjusted EBITDAR, adjusted net income and adjusted diluted earnings per share is as follows:

 

     Fiscal Year Ended
March 31, 2010
 
     Adjusted
Operating
Income
    Adjusted
EBITDAR
    Adjusted
Net Income
    Adjusted
Diluted  Earnings
Per Share
 
     (In thousands, except per share amounts)  

Allowance for receivables

   $ (1,100   $ (1,100   $ (715   $ (0.02

Depreciation correction

     3,250        —          2,898        0.08   

Australia local tax

     2,041        2,041        1,327        0.04   

Departure of officers

     (4,874     (4,874     (3,168     (0.09

Hedging gains

     —          3,936        2,558        0.07   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total special items

   $ (683   $ 3      $ 2,900        0.08   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Adjusted EBITDAR, adjusted net income and adjusted diluted earnings per share, the primary financial metrics considered by our management when assessing and measuring the operational and financial performance of the organization, increased in fiscal year 2011 by 11.0%, 16.6% and 14.5%, respectively, compared to fiscal year 2010. The improvement in adjusted EBITDAR was driven by results in our Europe and Other International business units.

Business Unit Operating Results

The following tables set forth certain operating information for the business units comprising our Helicopter Services segment. Intercompany lease revenue and expense are eliminated from our segment reporting, and depreciation expense of aircraft is presented in the segment that operates the aircraft.

Fiscal Year 2012 Compared to Fiscal Year 2011

Set forth below is a discussion of operations of our business units. Our consolidated results are discussed under “Results of Operations” above.

Europe

 

     Fiscal Year Ended              
     March 31,     Favorable  
     2012     2011     (Unfavorable)  
     (In thousands, except percentages)  

Operating revenue

   $ 449,854      $ 384,927      $ 64,927        16.9

Reimbursable revenue

   $ 109,843      $ 91,528      $ 18,315        20.0

Earnings from unconsolidated affiliates, net

   $ 11,627      $ 10,162      $ 1,465        14.4

Operating income

   $ 94,277      $ 89,320      $ 4,957        5.5

Operating margin

     21.0     23.2     (2.2 )%      (9.5 )% 

Adjusted EBITDAR

   $ 147,870      $ 125,843      $ 22,027        17.5

Adjusted EBITDAR margin

     32.9     32.7     0.2     0.6

Revenue for Europe increased mostly due to increased activity with existing clients, primarily in the Northern North Sea in the U.K. and in Norway, and an increase in reimbursable revenue. Changes in exchange rates contributed to $16.8 million of the increase in operating and reimbursable revenue.

 

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Operating income and adjusted EBITDAR for Europe increased primarily due to increased activity, partially offset by increases in salaries and benefits, maintenance and fuel costs as a result of the increased activity. Additionally, we incurred an additional $1.1 million in salary costs related to engineer retroactive pay increases as we entered into a two-year agreement with the engineers’ union in Norway during fiscal year 2012 and incurred salary expense to repair an aircraft that had been damaged in a hard landing. Depreciation expense and lease costs increased due to addition of aircraft in this market. Operating margin declined as a result of the additional cost incurred in fiscal year 2012, which was partially offset by an increase in earnings from unconsolidated affiliates; however, as a result of increased leasing of aircraft, the adjusted EBITDAR margin improved slightly.

West Africa

 

     Fiscal Year Ended              
     March 31,     Favorable  
     2012     2011     (Unfavorable)  
     (In thousands, except percentages)  

Operating revenue

   $ 246,349      $ 217,256      $ 29,093        13.4

Reimbursable revenue

   $ 11,909      $ 8,919      $ 2,990        33.5

Operating income

   $ 63,768      $ 62,051      $ 1,717        2.8

Operating margin

     25.9     28.6     (2.7 )%      (9.4 )% 

Adjusted EBITDAR

   $ 86,158      $ 76,411      $ 9,747        12.8

Adjusted EBITDAR margin

     35.0     35.2     (0.2 )%      (0.6 )% 

Operating revenue for West Africa increased primarily due to new contracts and a combination of increased flight hours and price increases on existing contracts and ad hoc flying, partially offset by the non-renewal of a major contract.

Although operating income and adjusted EBITDAR increased due to the increase in revenue discussed above, operating and adjusted EBITDAR margin declined primarily due to the non-renewal of a major contract in this market during fiscal year 2011. Additionally, operating results were affected by an increase in salaries and benefits, maintenance, lease costs and depreciation. These higher costs were partially offset by a decrease in freight charges due to the mobilization of an aircraft to this market in fiscal year 2011.

We have seen recent changes in this market as a result of increased competition. Additionally, increasingly active trade unions, changing regulations and the changing political environment have made, and are expected to continue to make, our operating results from Nigeria unpredictable.

North America

 

     Fiscal Year Ended              
     March 31,     Favorable  
     2012     2011     (Unfavorable)  
     (In thousands, except percentages)  

Operating revenue

   $ 176,545      $ 191,411      $ (14,866     (7.8 )% 

Reimbursable revenue

   $ 1,272      $ 2,434      $ (1,162     (47.7 )% 

Operating income

   $ 8,378      $ 14,527      $ (6,149     (42.3 )% 

Operating margin

     4.7     7.6     (2.8 )%      (36.8 )% 

Adjusted EBITDAR

   $ 30,609      $ 35,469      $ (4,860     (13.7 )% 

Adjusted EBITDAR margin

     17.3     18.5     (1.2 )%      (6.5 )% 

Operating revenue decreased primarily as a result of the end of short-term work for BP in support of the spill control and monitoring effort in fiscal year 2011 and reduced activity as a result of the impact of permitting delays from new regulations in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico.

The decrease in operating income and operating margin from fiscal year 2011 is primarily due to the short-term work for BP that was performed during fiscal year 2011 and increase in depreciation and amortization expense resulting from an impairment charge of $2.7 million from the abandonment of certain assets located in Creole, Louisiana as we ceased operations from this location, partially offset by a decrease in salaries and benefits and maintenance expense during fiscal year 2012 as a result of reduced activity. Excluding the impairment charge, operating margin for fiscal year 2012 would have been 6.3%. The decrease in adjusted EBITDAR and adjusted EBITDAR margin are due to the end of short-term work for BP that was performed during fiscal year 2011.

 

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Australia

 

xxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxx
     Fiscal Year Ended              
     March 31,     Favorable  
     2012     2011     (Unfavorable)  
     (In thousands, except percentages)  

Operating revenue

   $ 148,268      $ 146,722      $ 1,546        1.1

Reimbursable revenue

   $ 14,921      $ 12,398      $ 2,523        20.4

Operating income

   $ 19,840      $ 30,497      $ (10,657     (34.9 )% 

Operating margin

     13.4     20.8     (7.4 )%      (35.6 )% 

Adjusted EBITDAR

   $ 36,026      $ 43,053      $ (7,027     (16.3 )% 

Adjusted EBITDAR margin

     24.3     29.3     (5.0 )%      (17.1 )% 

Operating revenue for Australia increased primarily due to additional aircraft on contract for existing clients and a favorable impact from changes in foreign currency exchange rates, partially offset by the loss of a major contract at the end of May 2011.

Operating income, adjusted EBITDAR, operating margin and EBITDAR margin declined primarily due to an increase in salaries and benefits due to annual salary increases and an increase in training costs resulting from the introduction of a new aircraft type into this market.

During fiscal year 2011, a major client re-bid a contract we were the incumbent on and awarded this contract to a competitor. This contract provided us with annualized revenue of approximately $30 million and ended on May 31, 2011.

Other International

 

xxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxx
     Fiscal Year Ended              
     March 31,     Favorable  
     2012     2011     (Unfavorable)  
     (In thousands, except percentages)  

Operating revenue

   $ 141,504      $ 146,020      $ (4,516     (3.1 )% 

Reimbursable revenue

   $ 4,089      $ 2,219      $ 1,870        84.3

Earnings from unconsolidated affiliates, net

   $ (956   $ 10,056      $ (11,012     (109.5 )% 

Operating income

   $ 36,343      $ 42,038      $ (5,695     (13.5 )% 

Operating margin

     25.7     28.8     (3.1 )%      (10.8 )% 

Adjusted EBITDAR

   $ 55,960      $ 57,385      $ (1,425     (2.5 )% 

Adjusted EBITDAR margin

     39.5     39.3     0.2     0.5

Operating revenue for Other International decreased due to Mexico and Brazil (due to no longer providing maintenance and support to Heliservicio or Líder) and Libya (operations ceased), partially offset by Malaysia (due to a change in the mix of aircraft on contract), Suriname (full year on contract), Trinidad (new contract and additional activity on existing contracts), Russia (increased activity), and Bangladesh and Equatorial Guinea (new contracts).

Earnings from unconsolidated affiliates, net of losses, decreased primarily due a loss from our investment in Líder of $3.3 million during fiscal year 2012 compared to earnings from Líder of $8.5 million during fiscal year 2011. The loss from our investment in Líder in fiscal year 2012 was driven primarily by changes in the U.S. dollar to Brazilian real exchange rate, which reduced our portion of Líder’s earnings by $8.1 million in fiscal year 2012 and increased our portion of Líder’s earnings by $2.9 million in fiscal year 2011.

Operating income, adjusted EBITDAR and operating margin declined primarily due to a decline in earnings from Líder. However, adjusted EBITDAR margin remained mostly flat.

See further discussion of our previous operations in Mexico in Note 2 in the “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” included elsewhere in this Annual Report.

 

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Corporate and Other

 

xxxxxxxx xxxxxxxx xxxxxxxx xxxxxxxx
     Fiscal Year Ended              
     March 31,     Favorable  
     2012     2011     (Unfavorable)  
     (In thousands, except percentages)  

Operating revenue

   $ 38,447      $ 32,803      $ 5,644        17.2

Reimbursable revenue

   $ 542      $ 414      $ 128        30.9

Operating loss

   $ (75,170   $ (57,387   $ (17,783     (31.0 )% 

Adjusted EBITDAR

   $ (37,135   $ (40,447   $ 3,312        8.2

Corporate and other includes our Bristow Academy business unit, technical services business and corporate costs that have not been allocated out to other business units.

Operating revenue increased due to an increase in Bristow Academy revenue resulting from increased military training.

Corporate operating expense primarily represents costs of our corporate office and other general and administrative costs not allocated to our business units. We recorded a $25.9 million write-down of inventory spare parts to lower of cost or market value during fiscal year 2012 as management has made the determination to operate certain types of aircraft for a shorter period than originally anticipated. Additionally, during fiscal year 2012 corporate operating expense increased due to an increase in compensation and professional fees. Compensation expense increased $3.8 million related to our performance cash compensation plan for our senior management that resulted from improved stock price performance and an additional award in June 2011. Additionally, we recorded $2.3 million in compensation expense (including expenses recorded for the acceleration of unvested stock options and restricted stock) related to the separation between us and an officer. The increase in professional fees primarily related to special projects designed to have longer term benefits to our organization, including the Bristow Client Promise and BVA initiatives discussed elsewhere in this Annual Report. These increases were partially offset by a decrease in lease and fuel costs and salaries and benefits at Bristow Academy due to cost reduction efforts and closure of the Concord, California campus effective July 15, 2011.

During fiscal year 2012, approximately 300 pilots graduated from Bristow Academy. We hired 24 graduates as instructors at Bristow Academy and 18 graduates as pilots (mostly former instructors) into our other business units.

Interest Expense, Net

 

xxxxxxxx xxxxxxxx xxxxxxxx xxxxxxxx
     Fiscal Year Ended              
     March 31,     Favorable  
     2012     2011     (Unfavorable)  
     (In thousands, except percentages)  

Interest income

   $ 560      $ 1,092      $ (532     (48.7 )% 

Interest expense

     (37,950     (44,609     6,659        14.9

Amortization of debt discount

     (3,380     (3,176     (204     (6.4 )% 

Amortization of debt fees

     (1,766     (4,412     2,646        60.0

Capitalized interest

     4,966        6,010        (1,044     (17.4 )% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Interest expense, net

   $ (37,570   $ (45,095   $ 7,525        16.7
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Interest expense, net decreased primarily due to the early redemption of the 6  1/8% Senior Notes in fiscal year 2011 which was replaced with borrowings at a lower interest rate. Also, fiscal year 2011 included the write-off of $2.4 million of unamortized debt issuance as a result of the early redemption of the 6  1/8% Senior Notes in December 2010.

 

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Table of Contents

Other Income (Expense), Net

 

     Fiscal Year Ended               
     March 31,     Favorable  
     2012      2011     (Unfavorable)  
     (In thousands, except percentages)  

Foreign currency gains (losses)

   $ 379       $ (50   $ 429         *   

Other

     867         (4,180     5,047         120.7
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

Other income (expense), net

   $ 1,246       $ (4,230   $ 5,476         129.5
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

*

percentage change not meaningful

Other income (expense), net includes no significant items during fiscal year 2012. Fiscal year 2011 includes the impairment of our investment in Heliservicio of $2.4 million and a $2.3 million redemption premium as a result of the early redemption of the 6 1/8% Senior Notes in December 2010, partially offset by gains on sales of two joint ventures of $0.6 million.

Taxes

 

     Fiscal Year Ended              
     March 31,     Favorable  
     2012     2011     (Unfavorable)  
     (In thousands, except percentages)  

Effective tax rate

     17.9     5.1     (12.8 )%      (251.0 )% 

Net foreign tax on non-U.S. earnings

   $ 16,231      $ 13,101      $ (3,130     (23.9 )% 

Benefit of foreign earnings indefinitely reinvested abroad

     (20,852     (38,288     (17,436     (45.5 )% 

(Benefit) expense from change in tax contingency

     (10,190     2,868        13,058        *   

Dividend inclusion as a result of internal realignment

     13,222        —          (13,222     *   

Benefit from change to foreign tax credits

     (11,992     —          11,992        *   

Release of deferred tax liability due to restructuring

     —          (17,698     (17,698     *   

 

*

percentage change not meaningful

Our effective tax rate for fiscal year 2012 includes a benefit due to the revaluation of our deferred taxes as a result of the enactment of a tax rate reduction of 2% in the United Kingdom effective April 1, 2012, a benefit due to the change from deduction to credit of foreign taxes paid and a benefit of a release of a foreign tax contingency as a result of a favorable ruling in a foreign jurisdiction. This was partially offset by a dividend inclusion as a result of an internal realignment. In addition, we continue to benefit from our global legal structure that more closely aligns with our global operational structure.

Excluding (a) the increase in tax expense related to the dividend inclusion as a result of the internal realignment, (b) the portion of the reduction in tax expense in fiscal year 2012 related to prior fiscal years from the change from deduction of foreign taxes paid to use of the taxes paid as credits to offset U.S. tax liabilities, and (c) a benefit from the release of a tax reserve in a foreign jurisdiction due to a favorable response to a ruling request, which cumulatively increased our provision for income taxes by $0.8 million, our effective tax rate was 16.9% for fiscal year 2012.

Our effective tax rate for fiscal year 2011 reflects the tax implications of the implementation of a restructuring, which was effective November 1, 2010, that more closely aligns our legal structure with our global operational structure. During fiscal year 2011, we recorded a net reduction of our provision for income taxes of $17.7 million, primarily due to the reversal of deferred tax balances recorded in prior fiscal years. Because offshore profits will be deferred until the profits are repatriated, deferred tax liabilities recorded in prior fiscal years are no longer required. Excluding this item, our effective tax rate was 17.7% for fiscal year 2011.

 

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Table of Contents

Noncontrolling Interest

Noncontrolling interest expense for fiscal year 2012 was $1.7 million compared to $1.0 million for fiscal year 2011. The increase in noncontrolling interest expense is primarily due to an increase in net income from our operations in Russia. See Note 3 in the “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” included elsewhere in this Annual Report.

Fiscal Year 2011 Compared to Fiscal Year 2010

Set for the below is a discussion of operations of our business units. Our consolidated results are discussed under “Results of Operations” above.

Europe

 

xxxxxxxx xxxxxxxx xxxxxxxx xxxxxxxx
     Fiscal Year Ended              
     March 31,     Favorable  
     2011     2010     (Unfavorable)  
     (In thousands, except percentages)   

Operating revenue

   $ 384,927      $ 369,568      $ 15,359        4.2

Reimbursable revenue

   $ 91,528      $ 83,430      $ 8,098        9.7

Earnings from unconsolidated affiliates, net

   $ 10,162      $ 8,826      $ 1,336        15.1

Operating income

   $ 89,320      $ 77,053      $ 12,267        15.9

Operating margin

     23.2     20.8     2.4     11.5

Adjusted EBITDAR

   $ 125,843      $ 113,765      $ 12,078        10.6

Adjusted EBITDAR margin

     32.7     30.8     1.9     6.2

Operating revenue for Europe increased, despite a slight decrease in flight hours, primarily as a result of two new contracts that were added during fiscal year 2011 contributing to a shift toward larger aircraft in this market. The increase in revenue was partially offset by an unfavorable change in exchange rates and short-term work provided in fiscal year 2010 to a client in the North Sea that resulted in increased flight hours in that period.

Operating income, adjusted EBITDAR, operating margin and adjusted EBITDAR margin improved primarily due to the addition of new contracts, increased earnings from unconsolidated affiliates, a decrease in maintenance expense due to fewer heavy maintenance charges and the impact of changes in exchange rates. These improvements were partially offset by an increase in salaries, fuel and travel expenses as a result of the new contracts added in this market. Additionally, depreciation expense increased in fiscal year 2011 as fiscal year 2010 included a correction of prior period errors of $3.3 million.

West Africa

 

xxxxxxxx xxxxxxxx xxxxxxxx xxxxxxxx
     Fiscal Year Ended              
     March 31,     Favorable  
     2011     2010     (Unfavorable)  
     (In thousands, except percentages)  

Operating revenue

   $ 217,256      $ 208,577      $ 8,679        4.2

Reimbursable revenue

   $ 8,919      $ 10,635      $ (1,716     (16.1 )% 

Operating income

   $ 62,051      $ 62,410      $ (359     (0.6 )% 

Operating margin

     28.6     29.9     (1.4 )%      (4.7 )% 

Adjusted EBITDAR

   $ 76,411      $ 75,090      $ 1,321        1.8

Adjusted EBITDAR margin

     35.2     36.0     (0.8 )%      (2.2 )% 

Operating revenue for West Africa increased primarily due to new contracts, rate escalations under existing contracts and a reduction in aircraft maintenance delays partially offset by reduced activity on some contracts and loss of a major contract during fiscal year 2011. Reimbursable revenue decreased due to a decrease in training and duty recharges that were rebilled to a client during the prior fiscal year.

Operating margin and adjusted EBITDAR margin decreased primarily due to the loss of a major contract, increase in maintenance expense and freight charges due to the mobilization of two aircraft to this market. Additionally, we incurred $1.1 million more in employee severance costs in fiscal year 2011 versus fiscal year 2010 as a result of the loss of a major contract during fiscal year 2011. These increases were offset by a decrease in salaries and benefits due to headcount reductions and a decrease in reimbursable expense. Also in fiscal year 2010, we recorded a charge of $1.8 million to reduce the carrying value of obsolete inventory.

 

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Table of Contents

North America

 

     Fiscal Year Ended              
     March 31,     Favorable  
     2011     2010     (Unfavorable)  
     (In thousands, except percentages)  

Operating revenue

   $           191,411      $ 188,441      $ 2,970        1.6

Reimbursable revenue

   $           2,434      $ 1,289      $ 1,145        88.8

Operating income

   $           14,527      $ 11,655      $ 2,872        24.6

Operating margin

        7.6     6.2     1.4     22.6

Adjusted EBITDAR

   $           35,469      $ 33,451      $ 2,018        6.0

Adjusted EBITDAR margin

        18.5     17.8     0.7     3.9

Operating revenue for North America increased primarily due to additional work from BP in support of spill control and monitoring effort and rate increases on certain existing contracts partially offset by reduced activity from the impact of the oil spill and permitting delays from new regulations in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico.

The increase in operating income, operating margin, adjusted EBITDAR and adjusted EBITDAR margin from fiscal year 2010 is primarily due to an increase in rates driven by the change in the mix of aircraft flying in this market.

Australia

 

     Fiscal Year Ended              
     March 31,     Favorable  
     2011     2010     (Unfavorable)  
     (In thousands, except percentages)  

Operating revenue

   $ 146,722      $ 124,815      $ 21,907        17.6

Reimbursable revenue

   $ 12,398      $ 5,883      $ 6,515        110.7

Operating income

   $ 30,497      $ 30,374      $ 123        0.4

Operating margin

     20.8     24.3     (3.5 )%      (14.4 )% 

Adjusted EBITDAR

   $ 43,053      $ 40,468      $ 2,585        6.4

Adjusted EBITDAR margin

     29.3     32.4     (3.1 )%      (9.6 )% 

Operating revenue for Australia increased primarily due to the favorable impact of changes in exchange rates and an increase in flight hours as a result of changes in aircraft on contract from fiscal year 2010. We introduced new aircraft in fiscal year 2011 resulting in a change of revenue mix. Additionally, reimbursable revenue increased as a result of fixed wing recharges billed to a client in fiscal year 2011.

Operating margin and adjusted EBITDAR margin declined due to an increase in salaries and benefits from the increase in activity, annual salary increases and subsequent increases in the annual leave and long service leave provisions. During fiscal year 2010, we reversed costs previously accrued in fiscal year 2009 for tax items as favorable rulings were obtained from the tax authorities. Excluding the reversal of these tax items, operating margin would have been 21.7% in fiscal year 2010.

Other International

 

     Fiscal Year Ended              
     March 31,     Favorable  
     2011     2010     (Unfavorable)  
     (In thousands, except percentages)  

Operating revenue

   $           146,020      $ 133,408      $ 12,612        9.5

Reimbursable revenue

   $           2,219      $ 2,018      $ 201        10.0

Earnings from unconsolidated affiliates, net

   $           10,056      $ 3,026      $ 7,030        232.3

Operating income

   $           42,038      $ 25,972      $ 16,066        61.9

Operating margin

        28.8     19.5     9.3     47.7

Adjusted EBITDAR

   $           57,385      $ 41,352      $ 16,033        38.8

Adjusted EBITDAR margin

        39.3     31.0     8.3     26.8

 

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Table of Contents

Operating revenue for Other International increased due to Brazil (new aircraft on contract), the Baltic Sea and Suriname (new contracts), and Russia and Trinidad (increased activity), partially offset by Kazakhstan and Bolivia (due to our exit from these markets), and Libya, Mexico and Malaysia (decreased activity).

The increase in earnings from unconsolidated affiliates, net of losses, along with increased activity in Brazil resulted in the increase in operating income, adjusted EBITDAR, operating margin and adjusted EBITDAR margin from fiscal year 2010.

Earnings from unconsolidated affiliates, net of losses primarily increased due to an increase in earnings from our investment in Líder of $6.2 million from fiscal year 2010 to fiscal year 2011. Changes in the U.S. dollar to Brazilian real exchange rate increased our portion of Líder’s earnings in fiscal year 2011 and 2010 by $2.9 million and $5.3 million, respectively.

Corporate and Other

 

xxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxx
     Fiscal Year Ended              
     March 31,     Favorable  
     2011     2010     (Unfavorable)  
     (In thousands, except percentages)  

Operating revenue

   $ 32,803      $ 40,405      $ (7,602     (18.8 )% 

Reimbursable revenue

   $ 414      $ 3,410      $ (2,996     (87.9 )% 

Operating loss

   $ (57,387   $ (45,272   $ (12,115     (26.8 )% 

Adjusted EBITDAR

   $ (40,447   $ (35,881   $ (4,566     (12.7 )% 

 

*

percentage change not meaningful

Operating revenue decreased due to a decrease at Bristow Academy resulting from a delay in military training contracts and a decrease in technical services revenue as a result of timing of modification work and part sales.

Operating expense increased due to higher corporate and Bristow Academy operating expense partially offset by a decrease in technical services expense. Corporate operating expense primarily represents costs of our corporate office and other general and administrative costs not allocated to our business units. Corporate operating expense increased in fiscal year 2011 primarily due to the inclusion of $5.3 million for an impairment of construction in progress for an upgrade of an internal software system recorded in depreciation and amortization expense. In fiscal year 2010, corporate operating expense included costs related to the separation between the Company and three officers. Bristow Academy operating expenses increased due to increases in salaries, contract labor and lease costs in anticipation of military training contracts that were delayed.

Interest Expense, Net

 

xxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxx
     Fiscal Year Ended              
     March 31,     Favorable  
     2011     2010    

(Unfavorable)

 
     (In thousands, except percentages)  

Interest income

   $ 1,092      $ 1,012      $ 80        7.9

Interest expense

     (44,609     (45,484     875        1.9

Amortization of debt discount

     (3,176     (2,976     (200     (6.7 )% 

Amortization of debt fees

     (4,412     (1,985     (2,427     (122.3 )% 

Capitalized interest

     6,010        8,033        (2,023     (25.2 )% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Interest expense, net

   $ (45,095   $ (41,400   $ (3,695     (8.9 )% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Interest expense, net increased primarily due to a decrease in capitalized interest during fiscal year 2011 as a result of a decrease in the average amount of construction in progress during fiscal year 2011 versus fiscal year 2010 and the write-off of $2.4 million of unamortized debt issuance costs in fiscal year 2011 as a result of the early redemption of the 6 1/8% Senior Notes, partially offset by a decrease in interest expense as a result of the early redemption of the 6 1/8% Senior Notes.

 

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Table of Contents

Other Income (Expense), Net

 

     Fiscal Year Ended              
     March 31,     Favorable  
     2011     2010     (Unfavorable)  
     (In thousands, except percentages)  

Foreign currency (losses) gains

   $ (50   $ (1,197   $ 1,147        95.8

Other

     (4,180     4,233        (8,413     (198.7 )% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Other income (expense), net

   $ (4,230   $ 3,036      $ (7,266     (239.3 )% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Other income (expense), net includes the impairment of our investment in Heliservicio of $2.4 million and a $2.3 million redemption premium as a result of the early redemption of the 6 1/8% Senior Notes, partially offset by gains on sales of two joint ventures of $0.6 million during fiscal year 2011. Fiscal year 2010 included $3.9 million of hedging gains realized as a result of the termination of forward contracts on a euro-denominated aircraft purchase commitments. See further discussion of foreign currency transactions under Item 7A. “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk” included elsewhere in this Annual Report.

Taxes

 

     Fiscal Year Ended
March 31,
    Favorable  
     2011     2010     (Unfavorable)  
     (In thousands, except percentages)  

Effective tax rate for continuing operations

     5.1     20.4     15.3     75.0

Net foreign tax on non-U.S. earnings

   $ 13,101      $ 12,330      $ (771     (6.3 )% 

Benefit of foreign earnings indefinitely reinvested abroad

     (38,288     (38,886     (598     (1.5 )% 

Expense from change in tax contingency

     2,868        4,053        1,185        29.2

Tax expense on GOM Asset Sale

     (17,698     —          17,698        *   

 

*

percentage change not meaningful

The effective income tax rate for fiscal year 2011 reflects the tax implications of the implementation of a restructuring that more closely aligns our legal structure with our global operational structure. As a result of this restructuring, which was effective November 1, 2010, most U.S. tax on offshore profits will be deferred until the profits are repatriated.

During fiscal year 2011, we recorded a net reduction of our provision for income taxes of $17.7 million, primarily due to the reversal of deferred tax balances recorded in prior fiscal years. Because offshore profits will be deferred until the profits are repatriated, deferred tax liabilities recorded in prior fiscal years are no longer required. The effective tax rate for fiscal year 2011 included the impact of an increase in tax expense resulting from tax contingency items and changes in our expected foreign tax credit utilization. Excluding these items, our effective tax rate decreased to 17.7% for fiscal year 2011 from 20.4% in fiscal year 2010 as a result of the corporate restructuring, which increased the earnings reported as permanently reinvested outside the U.S.

For further discussion of income taxes, see Note 9 in the “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” included elsewhere in this Annual Report.

Noncontrolling Interest

Noncontrolling interest expense for fiscal year 2011 was $1.0 million compared to $1.5 million for fiscal year 2010. The decrease in noncontrolling interest expense is primarily due to a decline in the noncontrolling interest ownership percentage as we acquired an additional 29% interest in RLR in January 2010. See Note 3 in the “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” included elsewhere in this Annual Report.

 

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Table of Contents

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Cash Flows

Operating Activities

Net cash provided by operating activities totaled $231.3 million, $151.4 million and $195.4 million during fiscal years 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Changes in non-cash working capital generated $13.7 million and $2.4 million during fiscal years 2012 and 2010, respectively, and used $59.4 million in cash flows from operating activities during fiscal year 2011. During fiscal year 2012, equity earnings from unconsolidated affiliates were $5.5 million below dividends received and during fiscal years 2011 and 2010, equity earnings from unconsolidated affiliates were $6.2 million and $0.5 million, respectively, in excess of dividends received. During fiscal years 2012, 2011 and 2010, we pre-funded fiscal years 2013, 2012 and 2011 employer contributions for the U.K. pension plans, resulting in decreases in operating cash flow of $16.6 million, $16.0 million and $15.2 million, respectively.

Investing Activities

Cash flows used in investing activities were $88.8 million, $112.8 million and $411.7 million for fiscal years 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively, primarily for capital expenditures as follows:

 

xxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxx
      Fiscal Year Ended March 31,  
     2012      2011      2010  

Number of aircraft delivered:

        

Small

     —           —           4   

Medium

     1         7         14   

Large

     9         1         7   

Fixed wing

     1         —           1   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total aircraft

     11         8         26   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Capital expenditures (in thousands):

        

Aircraft and related equipment

   $ 304,484       $ 125,342       $ 286,421   

Other

     21,936         20,176         20,502   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total capital expenditures

   $ 326,420       $ 145,518       $ 306,923   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

In addition to these capital expenditures, investing cash flows were impacted by the following items during the last three fiscal years:

Fiscal Year 2012 — During fiscal year 2012, we received $58.2 million in proceeds from the disposal of 29 aircraft and certain other equipment. Also, we received $10.4 million in insurance recoveries and we received $171.2 million for the sale of nine existing and in-construction aircraft that we subsequently leased back. Additionally, we have invested $2.4 million in unconsolidated affiliates in the process of being evaluated. For further details, see Note 1 in the “Notes to Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements” included elsewhere in this Annual Report.

Fiscal Year 2011 — During fiscal year 2011, we received (a) proceeds of $20.1 million primarily from the disposal of 16 aircraft and certain other equipment, (b) $4.0 million in deposits for aircraft and inventory that were held for sale and (c) insurance recoveries of $7.3 million. Also, during fiscal year 2011, we received $1.3 million for the sale of two joint ventures.

Fiscal Year 2010 — In January and February 2010, we and our partner contributed $4.6 million and $14.5 million, respectively, to Heliservicio. This contribution did not change our ownership percentage in Heliservicio.

On May 26, 2009, we acquired a 42.5% interest in Líder, the largest provider of helicopter and executive aviation services in Brazil, for $179.9 million, including transaction costs incurred in fiscal years 2010 and 2009. See Note 2 in the “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” included elsewhere in this Annual Report.

Additionally, we received proceeds of $78.7 million primarily from the disposal of 22 aircraft and certain other equipment and insurance recoveries.

 

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Financing Activities

Cash flows generated from financing activities were $4.3 million for fiscal year 2012 and used in financing activities were $15.5 million and $21.7 million for fiscal years 2011 and 2010, respectively.

During fiscal year 2012, we received $109.3 million for borrowings on our Revolving Credit Facility, $50.0 million for our Term Loan and $5.3 million for Common Stock issued upon exercise of stock options. We used $113.4 million for the repayment of debt and $0.3 million for the acquisition of 1% of RLR. Additionally, we paid dividends on our Common Stock totaling $21.6 million and used $25.1 million for repurchase of our Common Stock.

During fiscal year 2011, cash was primarily used for the repayment of debt totaling $266.1 million (primarily $232.3 million for early retirement of our 6 1/8% Senior Notes). We borrowed $251.1 million (primarily $243 million under our amended and restated revolving credit and term loan agreement) and incurred debt issuance costs of $3.3 million, and our fully consolidated subsidiary, Aviashelf Aviation Co., received $1.9 million in borrowings.

During fiscal year 2010, cash was used for the payment of Preferred Stock dividends of $6.3 million and repayment of debt totaling $11.2 million. We purchased an additional 29% interest in RLR in January 2010 for $7.6 million. Cash was provided by issuance of Common Stock upon exercise of stock options of $3.6 million. On September 15, 2009, each outstanding share of Preferred Stock was converted into 1.418 shares of Common Stock, resulting in the issuance of 6,522,800 shares of Common Stock. As a result, dividends payments on Preferred Stock ended in fiscal year 2010.

Future Cash Requirements

Debt Obligations

Total debt as of March 31, 2012 was $757.2 million, of which $14.4 million was classified as current. Our significant debt maturities relate to our $250 million of Term Loan, $350 million of 7 1/2% Senior Notes and $115 million of 3% Convertible Senior Notes, which mature in 2016, 2017 and 2038 (with the first put date in 2015), respectively.

See further discussion of outstanding debt as of March 31, 2012 and our debt issuances and our debt redemptions in Note 5 in the “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” included elsewhere in this Annual Report.

Pension Obligations

As of March 31, 2012, we had recorded on our balance sheet a $111.7 million pension liability related to the Bristow Helicopters Group Limited (a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bristow Aviation), Bristow International Aviation (Guernsey) Limited and Bristow Norway pension plans. The liability represents the excess of the present value of the defined benefit pension plan liabilities over the fair value of plan assets that existed at that date. The minimum funding rules of the U.K. require the employer to agree to a funding plan with the plans’ trustee (the “Trustee”) for securing that the pension plan has sufficient and appropriate assets to meet its technical provisions liabilities. In addition, where there is a shortfall in assets against this measure, we are required to make scheduled contributions in amounts sufficient to bring the plan up to 100% funded as quickly as can be reasonably afforded. In order to meet our funding requirements, we increased the contributions to the defined benefit plans to £7.3 million ($10.5 million) per year beginning in fiscal year 2008 and continuing in fiscal year 2009. We pre-funded fiscal years 2013, 2012 and 2011 employer deficit recovery contributions for the main U.K. pension plan in the last quarter of fiscal years 2012, 2011 and 2010 of £10.4 million ($16.6 million), £10.0 million ($16.0 million), and £10.0 million ($15.2 million), respectively. The employer’s deficit contribution obligations to the main U.K. plan have remained unchanged at approximately £10 million per year following completion of the formal actuarial valuation as of April 1, 2010. Under U.K. legislation, an actuarial valuation must be carried out at least once every three years with interim reports for intervening years. See Note 10 in the “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” included elsewhere in this Annual Report.

Contractual Obligations, Commercial Commitments and Off Balance Sheet Arrangements

We have various contractual obligations which are recorded as liabilities in our consolidated financial statements. Other items, such as certain purchase commitments, interest payments and other executory contracts are not recognized as liabilities in our consolidated financial statements but are included in the table below. For example, we are contractually committed to make certain minimum lease payments for the use of property and equipment under operating lease agreements.

 

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The following tables summarize our significant contractual obligations and other commercial commitments on an undiscounted basis as of March 31, 2012 and the future periods in which such obligations are expected to be settled in cash. In addition, the table reflects the timing of principal and interest payments on outstanding borrowings. Additional details regarding these obligations are provided in the “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” included elsewhere in this Annual Report.

 

      Payments Due by Period  
             Fiscal Year Ending March 31,         
      Total      2013      2014 -
2015
     2016 -
2017
     2018 and
beyond
     Other  
     (In thousands)  

Contractual obligations:

                 

Long-term debt and short-term borrowings:

                 

Principal (1)

   $ 769,300       $ 14,375       $ 50,000       $ 239,925       $ 465,000       $ —     

Interest

     191,699         37,227         72,907         65,038         16,527         —     

Aircraft operating leases (2)

     184,966         34,017         67,701         50,219         33,029         —     

Other operating leases (3)

     68,843         9,421         13,664         10,725         35,033         —     

Pension obligations (4)

     195,597         26,822         55,419         42,144         71,212         —     

Aircraft purchase obligations (5)

     284,941         184,655         55,933         44,353         —           —     

Other purchase obligations (6)

     30,681         30,681         —           —           —           —     

Tax reserve (7)

     1,522         —           —           —           —           1,522   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total contractual cash obligations

   $ 1,727,549       $ 337,198       $ 315,624       $ 452,404       $ 620,801       $ 1,522   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Other commercial commitments:

                 

Debt guarantees (8)

   $ 15,981       $ —         $ —         $ 15,981       $ —         $ —     

Letters of credit

     1,499         1,499         —           —           —           —     

Other commitments (9)

     46,000         —           46,000         —           —           —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total commercial commitments

   $ 63,480       $ 1,499       $ 46,000       $ 15,981       $ —         $ —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1) 

Excludes unamortized premium on the 7 1/2% Senior Notes of $0.3 million and unamortized discount on the 3% Convertible Senior Notes of $12.4 million.

(2) 

Represents separate operating leases for aircraft. During the fiscal year 2012, we entered into nine new leases. For further details, see Note 4 in the “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” included elsewhere in this Annual Report.

(3) 

Represents minimum rental payments required under operating leases that have initial or remaining non-cancelable lease terms in excess of one year.

(4) 

Represents expected funding for pension benefits in future periods. These amounts are undiscounted and are based on the expectation that the U.K. and Norway pensions will be fully funded in approximately six and ten years, respectively. As of March 31, 2012, we had recorded on our balance sheet a $111.7 million pension liability associated with these obligations. The timing of the funding is dependent on actuarial valuations and resulting negotiations with the plan trustee.

(5) 

For further details on our aircraft purchase obligations, see Note 8 in the “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” included elsewhere in this Annual Report.

(6) 

Other purchase obligations primarily represent unfilled purchase orders for aircraft parts and commitments associated with upgrading facilities at our bases.

(7) 

Represents gross unrecognized tax benefits (see discussion in Note 9 in the “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” included elsewhere in this Annual Report) that may result in cash payments being made to certain tax authorities. We are not able to reasonably estimate in which future periods this amount will ultimately be settled and paid.

(8) 

We have guaranteed the repayment of up to £10 million ($16.0 million) of the debt of FBS Limited, an unconsolidated affiliate, which exists as long as the contract with the British military is in place. This contract currently runs through March 2016 with two possible one year extensions.

(9) 

In connection with the Bristow Norway acquisition (see “Part I. Item I. Business — Overview” included in the fiscal year 2011 Annual Report), we granted the former partner in this joint venture an option that if exercised would require us to acquire up to five aircraft at fair value upon the expiration of the lease terms for such aircraft. One of the options was exercised in December 2009 and one option expired. The remaining aircraft leases expire in June and August 2014.

 

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We do not expect the guarantees shown in the table above to become obligations that we will have to fund.

Financial Condition and Sources of Liquidity

The following table summarizes our capital structure and sources of liquidity as of March 31, 2012 and 2011 (in thousands):

 

      March 31,  
     2012     2011  

Capital structure:

    

7 1/2 % Senior Notes due 2017

   $ 350,346      $ 350,410   

Term Loan

     245,000        200,000   

Revolving Credit Facility

     59,300        30,000   

3 % Convertible Senior Notes due 2038

     102,599        99,219   

Other debt

     —          27,832   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total debt

     757,245        707,461   

Stockholders’ investment

     1,521,824        1,518,775   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total capital

   $ 2,279,069      $ 2,226,236   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Liquidity:

    

Cash

   $ 261,550      $ 116,361   

Undrawn borrowing capacity on revolving credit facility (1)

     140,065        144,365   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liquidity

   $ 401,615      $ 260,726   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted debt to equity ratio (2)

     70.8     63.0

 

(1) 

Letters of credit in the amount of $0.6 million were outstanding as of March 31, 2012 and 2011.

(2) 

Adjusted debt includes the net present value of operating leases totaling $190.2 million and $132.3 million, respectively, letters of credit and guarantees totaling $17.5 million and $17.8 million, respectively, and the unfunded pension liability of $111.7 million and $99.6 million, respectively, as of March 31, 2012 and 2011.

We actively manage our liquidity through generation of cash from operations while assessing our funding needs on an ongoing basis. While we have generated significant cash from operations, our principal source of liquidity over the past several years has been financing cash flows. Accordingly, since the beginning of fiscal year 2007, we raised $1.4 billion of debt and equity capital by means of both public and private financings. During this same period, we invested $1.9 billion on capital expenditures to grow our business. The significant factors that affect our overall liquidity include capital expenditure commitments, pension funding, operating leases, adequacy of bank lines of credit and our ability to attract long-term capital on satisfactory terms.

We expect that our cash on deposit as of March 31, 2012 of $261.6 million, cash flow from operations and proceeds from aircraft sales, as well as available borrowing capacity under our Revolving Credit Facility of $140.1 million as of March 31, 2012, will be sufficient to satisfy our capital commitments, including our remaining aircraft purchase commitments of $284.9 million as of March 31, 2012. While we plan to continue being disciplined concerning future capital commitments, we also intend to continue managing our capital structure and liquidity position with external financings as needed. Our strategy will involve funding our short-term liquidity requirements with borrowings under our Revolving Credit Facility and funding our long-term financing needs, while maintaining a prudent capital structure, among the following alternatives: a) operating and capital leases, b) bank debt, c) private and public debt and/or equity placements and d) export credit agency-supported financings.

Exposure to Currency Fluctuations

See our discussion of the impact of market risk, including our exposure to currency fluctuations, on our financial position and results of operations discussed under Item 7A. “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk” included elsewhere in this Annual Report.

 

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Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Our consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. In many cases, the accounting treatment of a particular transaction is specifically dictated by generally accepted accounting principles, whereas, in other circumstances, generally accepted accounting principles require us to make estimates, judgments and assumptions that we believe are reasonable based upon information available. We base our estimates and judgments on historical experience, professional advice and various other sources that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions and conditions. We believe that of our significant accounting policies, as discussed in Note 1 in the “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” included elsewhere in this Annual Report, the following involve a higher degree of judgment and complexity. Our management has discussed the development and selection of critical accounting policies and estimates with the Audit Committee of our board of directors and the Audit Committee has reviewed our disclosure.

Taxes

Our annual tax provision is based on expected taxable income, statutory rates and tax planning opportunities available to us in the various jurisdictions in which we operate. The determination and evaluation of our annual tax provision and tax positions involves the interpretation of the tax laws in the various jurisdictions in which we operate and requires significant judgment and the use of estimates and assumptions regarding significant future events such as the amount, timing and character of income, deductions and tax credits. Changes in tax laws, regulations, agreements, tax treaties and foreign currency exchange restrictions or our level of operations or profitability in each jurisdiction would impact our tax liability in any given year. We also operate in many jurisdictions where the tax laws relating to the offshore oil service industry are not well developed. While our annual tax provision is based on the best information available at the time, a number of years may elapse before the ultimate tax liabilities in the various jurisdictions are determined.

We recognize foreign tax credits available to us to offset the U.S. income taxes due on income earned from foreign sources. These credits are limited by the total income tax on the U.S. income tax return as well as by the ratio of foreign source income in each statutory category to total income. In estimating the amount of foreign tax credits that are realizable, we estimate future taxable income in each statutory category. These estimates are subject to change based on changes in the market conditions in each statutory category and the timing of certain deductions available to us in each statutory category. We periodically reassess these estimates and record changes to the amount of realizable foreign tax credits based on these revised estimates. Changes to the amount of realizable foreign tax credits can be significant given any material change to our estimates on which the realizability of foreign tax credits is based.

We maintain reserves for estimated tax exposures in jurisdictions of operation, including reserves for income, value added, sales and payroll taxes. The expenses reported for these taxes, including our annual tax provision, include the effect of reserve provisions and changes to reserves that we consider appropriate, as well as related interest. Tax exposure items primarily include potential challenges to intercompany pricing, disposition transactions and the applicability or rate of various withholding taxes. These exposures are resolved primarily through the settlement of audits within these tax jurisdictions or by judicial means, but can also be affected by changes in applicable tax law or other factors, which could cause us to conclude that a revision of past estimates is appropriate. We believe that an appropriate liability has been established for estimated exposures. However, actual results may differ materially from these estimates. We review these liabilities quarterly. During fiscal year 2012, we had net reversals of reserves for estimated tax exposures of $10.2 million and during fiscal years 2011 and 2010 we had net accruals of reserves for estimated tax exposures of $2.2 million and $4.1 million, respectively. We recognize interest and penalties accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits as a component of our provision for income taxes. As of March 31, 2012 and 2011, we had $1.5 million and $11.7 million, respectively, of unrecognized tax benefits, all of which would have an impact on our effective tax rate, if recognized.

We do not believe it is possible to reasonably estimate the potential effect of changes to the assumptions and estimates identified because the resulting change to our tax liability, if any, is dependent on numerous factors which cannot be reasonably estimated. These include, among others, the amount and nature of additional taxes potentially asserted by local tax authorities; the willingness of local tax authorities to negotiate a fair settlement through an administrative process; the impartiality of the local courts; and the potential for changes in the tax paid to one country to either produce, or fail to produce, an offsetting tax change in other countries. Our experience has been that the estimates and assumptions we have used to provide for future tax assessments have proven to be appropriate. However, past experience is only a guide and the potential exists that the tax resulting from the resolution of current and potential future tax controversies may differ materially from the amounts accrued.

 

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Judgment is required in determining whether deferred tax assets will be realized in full or in part. When it is estimated to be more likely than not that all or some portion of specific deferred tax assets, such as foreign tax credit carryovers or net operating loss carry forwards, will not be realized, a valuation allowance must be established for the amount of the deferred tax assets that are estimated to not be realizable. As of March 31, 2012, we have established deferred tax assets for foreign taxes we expect to be realizable, primarily as a result of an internal reorganization that resulted in a one-time increase in U.S. taxable earnings and a forecast that includes more U.S. taxable earnings in future years. If our facts or financial results were to change, thereby impacting the likelihood of establishing and then realizing the deferred tax assets, judgment would have to be applied to determine changes to the amount of the valuation allowance in any given period. Such changes could result in either a decrease or an increase in our provision for income taxes, depending on whether the change in judgment resulted in an increase or a decrease to the valuation allowance. We continually evaluate strategies that could allow for the future utilization of our deferred tax assets.

We have not provided for U.S. deferred taxes on the unremitted earnings of certain foreign subsidiaries as of March 31, 2012 that are indefinitely reinvested abroad of $421.5 million. Should we make a distribution from the unremitted earnings of these subsidiaries, we could be required to record additional taxes. At the current time, a determination of the amount of unrecognized deferred tax liability is not practical.

We have not provided for deferred taxes in circumstances where we expect that, due to the structure of operations and applicable law, the operations in such jurisdictions will not give rise to future tax consequences. Should our expectations change regarding the expected future tax consequences, we may be required to record additional deferred taxes that could have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

Property and Equipment

Our net property and equipment represents 63% percent of our total assets as of March 31, 2012. We determine the carrying value of these assets based on our property and equipment accounting policies, which incorporate our estimates, assumptions, and judgments relative to capitalized costs, useful lives and salvage values of our assets.

Our property and equipment accounting policies are also designed to depreciate our assets over their estimated useful lives. The assumptions and judgments we use in determining the estimated useful lives and residual values of our aircraft reflect both historical experience and expectations regarding future operations, utilization and performance of our assets. The use of different estimates, assumptions and judgments in the establishment of property and equipment accounting policies, especially those involving the useful lives and residual values of our aircraft, would likely result in materially different net book values of our assets and results of operations.

Useful lives of aircraft and residual values are difficult to estimate due to a variety of factors, including changes in operating conditions or environment, the introduction of technological advances in aviation equipment, changes in market or economic conditions including changes in demand for certain types of aircraft and changes in laws or regulations affecting the aviation or offshore oil and gas industry. We evaluate the remaining useful lives of our aircraft when certain events occur that directly impact our assessment of the remaining useful lives of the aircraft.

We review our property and equipment for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of such assets or asset groups may be impaired or when reclassifications are made between property and equipment and assets held for sale.

Asset impairment evaluations are based on estimated undiscounted cash flows for the assets being evaluated. If the sum of the expected future cash flows is less than the carrying amount of the asset, we would be required to recognize an impairment loss. When determining fair value, we utilize various assumptions, including projections of future cash flows. A change in these underlying assumptions will cause a change in the results of the tests and, as such, could cause fair value to be less than the carrying amounts. In such event, we would then be required to record a corresponding charge, which would reduce our earnings. We continue to evaluate our estimates and assumptions and believe that our assumptions, which include an estimate of future cash flows based upon the anticipated performance of the underlying business units, are appropriate.

Supply and demand are the key drivers of aircraft idle time and our ability to contract our aircraft at economical rates. During periods of oversupply, it is not uncommon for us to have aircraft idled for extended periods of time, which could be an indication that an asset group may be impaired. In most instances our aircraft could be used interchangeably. In addition, our aircraft are generally equipped to operate throughout the world. Because our aircraft are mobile, we may move aircraft from a weak geographic market to a stronger geographic market if an adequate opportunity arises to do so. As such, our aircraft are considered to be interchangeable within classes or asset groups and accordingly, our impairment

 

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evaluation is made by asset group. Additionally, our management periodically makes strategic decisions related to our fleet that involve the possible removal of all or a substantial portion of specific aircraft types from our fleet, at which time these aircraft are reclassified to held for sale and subsequently sold or otherwise disposed of.

An impairment loss is recorded in the period in which it is determined that the aggregate carrying amount of assets within an asset group is not recoverable. This requires us to make judgments regarding long-term forecasts of future revenue and cost related to the assets subject to review. In turn, these forecasts are uncertain in that they require assumptions about demand for our services, future market conditions and technological developments. Significant and unanticipated changes to these assumptions could require a provision for impairment in a future period. Given the nature of these evaluations and their application to specific asset groups and specific times, it is not possible to reasonably quantify the impact of changes in these assumptions.

Pension Benefits

Pension obligations are actuarially determined and are affected by assumptions including discount rates, compensation increases and employee turnover rates. The recognition of these obligations through the income statement is also affected by assumptions about expected returns on plan assets. We evaluate our assumptions periodically and make adjustments to these assumptions and the recorded liabilities as necessary.

Three of the most critical assumptions are the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets, the assumed discount rate and the mortality rate. We evaluate our assumptions regarding the estimated long-term rate of return on plan assets based on historical experience and future expectations on investment returns, which are calculated by our third-party investment advisor utilizing the asset allocation classes held by the plan’s portfolios. We utilize a British pound sterling denominated AA corporate bond index as a basis for determining the discount rate for our U.K. plans. We base mortality rates utilized on actuarial research on these rates, which are adjusted to allow for expected mortality within our industry segment and, where available, individual plan experience data. Changes in these and other assumptions used in the actuarial computations could impact our projected benefit obligations, pension liabilities, pension expense and other comprehensive income. We base our determination of pension expense on a fair value valuation of assets and an amortization approach for assessed gains and losses that reduces year-to-year volatility. This approach recognizes investment and other actuarial gains or losses over the average remaining lifetime of the plan members. Investment gains or losses for this purpose are the difference between the expected return calculated using the market-related value of assets and the actual return based on the market-related value of assets.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

We establish allowances for doubtful accounts on a case-by-case basis when we believe the payment of amounts owed to us is unlikely to occur. In establishing these allowances, we consider a number of factors, including our historical experience, changes in our client’s financial position and restrictions placed on the conversion of local currency to U.S. dollars, as well as disputes with clients regarding the application of contract provisions to our services. We derive a significant portion of our revenue from services to major integrated oil and gas companies and government-owned or government-controlled oil and gas companies. Our receivables are concentrated in certain oil-producing countries. We generally do not require collateral or other security to support client receivables. If the financial condition of our clients was to deteriorate or their access to freely-convertible currency was restricted, resulting in impairment of their ability to make the required payments, additional allowances may be required.

Inventory Allowance

We maintain inventory that primarily consists of spare parts to service our aircraft. We establish an allowance to distribute the cost of spare parts expected to be on hand at the end of a fleet’s life over the service lives of the related equipment, taking into account the estimated salvage value of the parts. Also, we periodically review the condition and continuing usefulness of the parts to determine whether the realizable value of this inventory is lower than its book value. Parts related to aircraft types that our management has determined will no longer be included in our fleet or will be substantially reduced in our fleet in future periods are specifically reviewed. If our valuation of these parts is significantly lower than the book value of the parts, an additional provision may be required.

Contingent Liabilities

We establish reserves for estimated loss contingencies when we believe a loss is probable and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. Our contingent liability reserves relate primarily to potential tax assessments, litigation, personal injury claims and environmental liabilities. Income for each reporting period includes revisions to contingent

 

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liability reserves resulting from different facts or information which becomes known or circumstances which change and affect our previous assumptions with respect to the likelihood or amount of loss. Such revisions are based on information which becomes known or circumstances that change after the reporting date for the previous period through the reporting date of the current period. Reserves for contingent liabilities are based upon our assumptions and estimates regarding the probable outcome of the matter. Should the outcome differ from our assumptions and estimates or other events result in a material adjustment to the accrued estimated reserves, revisions to the estimated reserves for contingent liabilities would be required to be recognized.

Goodwill Impairment

We perform a test for impairment of our goodwill annually as of March 31 and whenever events or circumstances indicate impairment may have occurred. In the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2012, in conjunction with our March 31, 2012 goodwill assessment, we adopted new accounting guidance that allows an entity to first assess qualitative factors to determine if it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount and if a quantitative assessment should be performed. An entity may also bypass the qualitative assessment for any reporting unit in any period and proceed directly to the quantitative impairment test. Because our business is cyclical in nature, goodwill could be significantly impaired depending on when the assessment is performed in the business cycle. The qualitative factors considered during our assessment include the capital markets environment, global economic conditions, the demand for helicopter services, the necessity for training of new pilots (Bristow Academy only) and changes in our results of operations, the magnitude of the excess of fair value over the carrying amount of each reporting unit as determined in prior year’s quantitative testing and other factors. The fair value of our reporting units is based on a blend of estimated discounted cash flows, publicly traded company multiples and acquisition multiples and involve the use of a discounted cash flow model utilizing estimated future earnings and cash flows and the Company’s weighted-average cost of capital. Publicly traded company multiples and acquisition multiples are derived from information on traded shares and analysis of recent acquisitions in the marketplace, respectively, for companies with operations similar to ours. Changes in the assumptions used in the fair value calculation could result in an estimated reporting unit fair value that is below the carrying value, which may give rise to an impairment of goodwill.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

See Note 1 in the “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” included elsewhere in this Annual Report for discussion of recent accounting pronouncements.

Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

We are subject to certain market risks arising from the use of financial instruments in the ordinary course of business. This risk arises primarily as a result of potential changes in the fair market value of financial instruments that would result from adverse fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, credit risk and interest rates as discussed below. The sensitivity analyses presented do not consider the effects that such adverse changes may have on overall economic activity, nor do they consider additional actions we may take to mitigate our exposure to such changes. Actual results may differ. See the notes to our consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 of this Annual Report for a description of our accounting policies and other information related to these financial instruments.

Foreign Currency Risk

Through our foreign operations, we are exposed to currency fluctuations and exchange rate risks. The majority of our revenue and expense from our North Sea operations are in British pound sterling. Approximately 21% of our gross revenue for fiscal year 2012 was translated for financial reporting purposes from British pound sterling into U.S. dollars. In addition, some of our contracts to provide services internationally provide for payment in foreign currencies. Our foreign exchange rate risk is even greater when our revenue is denominated in a currency different from the associated costs. We attempt to minimize our foreign exchange rate exposure by contracting the majority of our services other than our North Sea operations in U.S. dollars. As a result, a strong U.S. dollar may increase the local cost of our services that are provided under U.S. dollar denominated contracts, which may reduce the demand for our services in certain foreign countries. Except as described below, we do not enter into hedging transactions to protect against foreign exchange risks related to our gross revenue.

Throughout fiscal years 2012, 2011 and 2010, our primary foreign currency exposure has been to the euro, the British pound sterling, the Australian dollar and the Nigerian naira. The value of these currencies has fluctuated relative to the U.S. dollar as indicated in the following table:

 

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     Fiscal Years Ended March 31,  
     2012      2011      2010  

One British pound sterling into U.S. dollars

        

High

     1.66         1.64         1.70   

Average

     1.59         1.56         1.61   

Low

     1.53         1.43         1.44   

At period-end

     1.60         1.60         1.52   

One euro into U.S. dollars

        

High

     1.49         1.42         1.51   

Average

     1.38         1.32         1.42   

Low

     1.27         1.19         1.29   

At period-end

     1.33         1.42         1.35   

One Australian dollar into U.S. dollars

        

High

     1.10         1.03         0.94   

Average

     1.04         0.95         0.83   

Low

     0.94         0.81         0.69   

At period-end

     1.04         1.03         0.92   

One Nigerian naira into U.S. dollars

        

High

     0.0068         0.0070         0.0069   

Average

     0.0064         0.0067         0.0067   

Low

     0.0061         0.0064         0.0063   

At period-end

     0.0064         0.0064         0.0067   

 

Source: Bank of England and Oanda.com

We estimate that the fluctuation of these currencies versus the prior fiscal year had the following effect on our financial condition and results of operations, net of the effect of the derivative contracts discussed below (in thousands):

 

     Fiscal Year
Ended
March 31, 2012
 

Revenue

   $ 29,054   

Operating expense

     (22,477

Earnings from unconsolidated affiliates, net of losses

     (11,045

Non-operating expense

     (1,040
  

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations before provision for income taxes

     (5,508

Benefit from income taxes

     985   
  

 

 

 

Net income from continuing operations

     (4,523

Cumulative translation adjustment

     905   
  

 

 

 

Total stockholders’ investment

   $ (3,618
  

 

 

 

 

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Our earnings from unconsolidated affiliates are also affected by the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates on the reported results of our unconsolidated affiliates. During fiscal years 2012, 2011 and 2010, earnings from unconsolidated affiliates were decreased by $8.1 million and increased by $2.9 million and $5.3 million, respectively, as a result of the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates on the results of our unconsolidated affiliates, primarily the impact of changes in the Brazilian real and the U.S. dollar exchange rate on results for our affiliate in Brazil. The value of the Brazilian real has fluctuated relative to the U.S. dollar as indicated in the following table:

 

     Fiscal Years Ended March 31,  
     2012      2011      2010  

One Brazilian real into U.S. dollars

        

High

     0.6511         0.6225         0.6026   

Average

     0.5921         0.5815         0.5387   

Low

     0.5304         0.5335         0.4323   

At period-end

     0.5490         0.6086         0.5585   

A hypothetical 10% strengthening or weakening in the average U.S. dollar relative to other currencies would have affected our revenue, operating income and income from continuing operations before provision for income taxes for fiscal year 2012 as follows:

 

     Euro     British
pound
sterling
    Nigerian
Naira
    Australian
dollar
 

Revenue

     0.7     2.9     0.1     1.3

Operating expenses

     1.1     2.6     1.2     1.3

Income from continuing operations before provision for income taxes

     (1.4 )%      4.7     (5.1 )%      1.2

The effect of the hypothetical change in exchange rates ignores the effect this movement may have on other variables, including competitive risk. If it were possible to quantify this competitive impact, the results would probably be different from the sensitivity effects shown above. In addition, all currencies may not uniformly strengthen or weaken relative to the U.S. dollar. In reality, some currencies may weaken while others may strengthen.

In addition, certain of our contractual commitments, including aircraft purchase commitments, are payable in currencies other than the U.S. dollar, which exposes us to cash flow risk during periods when the U.S. dollar weakens against those currencies. We entered into forward contracts during fiscal years 2012, 2011 and 2010 to mitigate our exposure to exchange rate fluctuations on our euro-denominated aircraft purchase commitments, which have been designated as cash flow hedges for accounting purposes. We had no open forward contracts relating to euro-denominated aircraft purchase commitments as of March 31, 2012. We had six open forward contracts as of March 31, 2011, which had rates ranging from 1.3153 U.S. dollars per euro to 1.3267 U.S. dollars per euro. These contracts had an underlying notional value of between €5,000,000 and €7,000,000, for a total of €34,300,871, with the first contract having expired in May 2011 and the last in June 2011. During the three months ended June 30, 2011, we entered into an additional open forward contract at a rate of 1.418 U.S. dollars per euro with an underlying notional value of €13,826,241 that expired in July 2011. As of March 31, 2011, the fair value of these contracts was an asset of $3.3 million and is included in prepaid expenses and other current assets in our consolidated balance sheet. As of March 31, 2011, an unrecognized gain on these contracts of $2.2 million, net of tax, was included as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss. No gains or losses relating to forward contracts are recognized in our consolidated statements of income for fiscal years 2012 and 2011; however, we recognized gains of $3.9 million for fiscal year 2010 in our consolidated statements of income as a component of other income (expense), net as a result of early termination of forward contracts on euro-denominated aircraft purchase commitments.

In the past three fiscal years, our stockholders’ investment has increased by $51.1 million as a result of translation adjustments. Changes in exchange rates could cause significant changes in our financial position and results of operations in the future.

As a result of the changes in exchange rates, we recorded foreign currency gains of $0.4 million during fiscal year 2012 and foreign currency losses of $0.1 million and $1.2 million during fiscal years 2011 and 2010, respectively, primarily related to the British pound sterling. See “Fiscal Year 2012 Compared to Fiscal Year 2011 — Other income (Expense), net” and “Fiscal Year 2011 Compared to Fiscal Year 2010 — Other Income (Expense), net” included elsewhere in this Annual Report for discussion of transaction gains and losses.

 

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A hypothetical 10% decrease in the value of the foreign currencies in which our business is denominated relative to the U.S. dollar as of March 31, 2012 would result in a $9.8 million decrease in the fair value of our net monetary assets denominated in currencies other than U.S. dollars.

Credit Risk

The market for our services and products is primarily the offshore oil and gas industry, and our clients consist primarily of major integrated, international and independent oil and gas producers. We perform ongoing credit evaluations of our clients and have not historically required material collateral. We maintain allowances for potential credit losses, and such losses have been within management’s expectations.

Cash equivalents, which consist of funds invested in highly-liquid debt instruments with original maturities of 90 days or less, are held by major banks or investment firms, and we believe that credit risk in these instruments is minimal. We also manage our credit risk by not entering into complex financial transactions or those with a perceived high level of credit risk.

For more information on the impact of the global market conditions see “Executive Overview – Market Outlook” and “Liquidity and Capital Resources – Financial Condition and Sources of Liquidity” included elsewhere in this Annual Report.

Interest Rate Risk

As of March 31, 2012, we have $757.2 million of debt outstanding, $304.3 million of which carries a variable rate of interest. The market value of our fixed rate debt fluctuates with changes in interest rates. The fair value of our financial instruments has been estimated in accordance with the accounting standard regarding fair value. The fair value of our fixed rate long-term debt is estimated based on quoted market prices. The carrying and fair value of our long-term debt, including the current portion, are as follows (in thousands):

 

     March 31,  
     2012      2011  
     Carrying
Value
     Fair Value      Carrying
Value
     Fair Value  

  1/2% Senior Notes

   $ 350,346       $ 364,875       $ 350,410       $ 367,500   

Term Loan

     245,000         245,000         200,000         200,000   

Revolving Credit Facility

     59,300         59,300         30,000         30,000   

3% Convertible Senior Notes

     102,599         120,750         99,219         114,929   

Other

     —           —           27,832         27,832   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 757,245       $ 789,925       $ 707,461       $ 740,261   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

If prevailing market interest rates had been 1% higher as of March 31, 2012, and all other factors affecting our debt remained the same, the fair value of the 7 1/2% Senior Notes and 3% Convertible Senior Notes would have decreased by $35.6 million or 7.3%. Under comparable sensitivity analysis as of March 31, 2011, the fair value of the 7 1/2% Senior Notes and 3% Convertible Senior Notes would have decreased by $37.1 million or 7.7%.

 

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Item 8. Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders

Bristow Group Inc.:

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Bristow Group Inc. (“the Company”) and subsidiaries as of March 31, 2012 and 2011, and the related consolidated statements of income, stockholders’ investment, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended March 31, 2012. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Bristow Group Inc. and subsidiaries as of March 31, 2012 and 2011, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended March 31, 2012, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2012, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO), and our report dated May 23, 2012 expressed an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

/s/ KPMG LLP

Houston, Texas

May 23, 2012

 

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BRISTOW GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

 

     Fiscal Year Ended March 31,  
     2012     2011     2010  
     (In thousands, except per share amounts)  

Gross revenue:

      

Operating revenue from non-affiliates

   $ 1,170,299      $ 1,051,829      $ 999,249   

Operating revenue from affiliates

     28,928        63,067        61,842   

Reimbursable revenue from non-affiliates

     142,088        117,366        103,019   

Reimbursable revenue from affiliates

     488        546        3,646   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     1,341,803        1,232,808        1,167,756   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating expense:

      

Direct cost

     810,728        748,053        717,178   

Reimbursable expense

     136,922        114,288        105,853   

Impairment of inventories

     25,919        —          —     

Depreciation and amortization

     96,144        89,377        74,684   

General and administrative

     135,333        120,145        119,701   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     1,205,046        1,071,863        1,017,416   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gain (loss) on disposal of assets

     (31,670     8,678        18,665   

Earnings from unconsolidated affiliates, net of losses

     10,679        20,101        11,852   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income

     115,766        189,724        180,857   

Interest income

     560        1,092        1,012   

Interest expense

     (38,130     (46,187     (42,412

Other income (expense), net

     1,246        (4,230     3,036   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before provision for income taxes

     79,442        140,399        142,493   

Provision for income taxes

     (14,201     (7,104     (28,998
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

     65,241        133,295        113,495   

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests

     (1,711     (980     (1,481
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income attributable to Bristow Group

     63,530        132,315        112,014   

Preferred stock dividends

     —          —          (6,325
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income available to common stockholders

   $ 63,530      $ 132,315      $ 105,689   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Earnings per common share:

      

Basic

   $ 1.76      $ 3.67      $ 3.23   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted

   $ 1.73      $ 3.60      $ 3.10   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash dividends declared per common share

   $ 0.60      $ —        $ —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

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BRISTOW GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

     March 31,  
     2012     2011  
     (In thousands)  
ASSETS     

Current assets:

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 261,550      $ 116,361   

Accounts receivable from non-affiliates

     280,985        247,135   

Accounts receivable from affiliates

     5,235        15,384   

Inventories

     157,825        196,207   

Assets held for sale

     18,710        31,556   

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     12,168        22,118   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current assets

     736,473        628,761   

Investment in unconsolidated affiliates

     205,100        208,634   

Property and equipment – at cost:

    

Land and buildings

     80,835        98,054   

Aircraft and equipment

     2,099,642        2,116,259   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     2,180,477        2,214,313   

Less – Accumulated depreciation and amortization

     (457,702     (446,431
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     1,722,775        1,767,882   

Goodwill

     29,644        32,047   

Other assets

     46,371        38,030   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 2,740,363      $ 2,675,354   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ INVESTMENT     

Current liabilities:

    

Accounts payable

   $ 56,084      $ 56,972   

Accrued wages, benefits and related taxes

     44,325        34,538   

Income taxes payable

     9,732        15,557   

Other accrued taxes

     5,486        4,048   

Deferred revenue

     14,576        9,613   

Accrued maintenance and repairs

     14,252        16,269   

Accrued interest

     2,300        2,279   

Other accrued liabilities

     23,005        19,613   

Deferred taxes

     15,070        12,176   

Short-term borrowings and current maturities of long-term debt

     14,375        8,979   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     199,205        180,044   

Long-term debt, less current maturities

     742,870        698,482   

Accrued pension liabilities

     111,742        99,645   

Other liabilities and deferred credits

     16,768        30,109   

Deferred taxes

     147,954        148,299   

Commitments and contingencies (Note 8)

    

Stockholders’ investment:

    

Common stock, $.01 par value, authorized 90,000,000; outstanding: 35,755,317 as of March 31, 2012 and 36,311,143 as of March 31, 2011 (exclusive of 1,291,741 and 1,291,325 treasury shares, respectively)

     363        363   

Additional paid-in capital

     703,628        689,795   

Retained earnings

     993,435        951,660   

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     (159,239     (130,117

Treasury shares, at cost (526,895 and 0 shares, respectively)

     (25,085     —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Bristow Group Inc. stockholders’ investment

     1,513,102        1,511,701   

Noncontrolling interests

     8,722        7,074   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total stockholders’ investment

     1,521,824        1,518,775   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ investment

   $ 2,740,363      $ 2,675,354   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

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BRISTOW GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 

     Fiscal Year Ended March 31,  
     2012     2011     2010  
     (In thousands)  

Cash flows from operating activities:

      

Net income

   $ 65,241      $ 133,295      $ 113,495   

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

      

Depreciation and amortization

     96,144        89,377        74,684   

Deferred income taxes

     (16,288     3,617        15,517   

Discount amortization on long-term debt

     3,380        3,176        2,976   

(Gain) loss on disposal of assets

     31,670        (8,678     (18,665

Gain on sale of joint ventures

     —          (572     —     

Impairment of inventories

     25,919        —          —     

Impairment of Heliservicio investment

     —          2,445        —     

Stock-based compensation

     11,510        12,601        13,944   

Equity in earnings from unconsolidated affiliates less than (in excess of) dividends received

     5,486        (6,221     (532

Tax benefit related to stock-based compensation

     (354     (512     —     

Increase (decrease) in cash resulting from changes in:

      

Accounts receivable

     (12,847     (53,445     22,421   

Inventories

     7,364        (4,718     (18,295

Prepaid expenses and other assets

     1,926        4,475        8,423   

Accounts payable

     2,675        4,819        (1,819

Accrued liabilities

     14,607        (10,573     (8,373

Other liabilities and deferred credits

     (5,086     (17,731     (8,417
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

     231,347        151,355        195,359   

Cash flows from investing activities:

      

Capital expenditures

     (326,420     (145,518     (306,923

Deposits on assets held for sale

     200        4,021        —     

Proceeds from sale of joint ventures

     —          1,291        —     

Proceeds from asset dispositions

     239,843        27,364        78,730   

Investment in unconsolidated affiliates

     (2,378     —          (183,540
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

     (88,755     (112,842     (411,733

Cash flows from financing activities:

      

Proceeds from borrowings

     159,993        253,013        —     

Debt issuance costs

     (871     (3,339     —     

Repayment of debt and debt redemption premiums

     (113,419     (266,105     (11,225

Distributions to noncontrolling interest owners

     —          (638     —     

Partial prepayment of put/call obligation

     (63     (59     (76

Acquisition of noncontrolling interest

     (262     (800     (7,621

Repurchase of common stock

     (25,085     —          —     

Preferred stock dividends paid

     —          —          (6,325

Common stock dividends paid

     (21,616     —          —     

Issuance of common stock

     5,293        1,953        3,594   

Tax benefit related to stock-based compensation

     354        512        —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

     4,324        (15,463     (21,653

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

     (1,727     15,518        14,851   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     145,189        38,568        (223,176

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     116,361        77,793        300,969   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 261,550      $ 116,361      $ 77,793   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing activities:

      

Accrued proceeds on insurance claim

   $ —        $ —        $ 7,104   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

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BRISTOW GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ INVESTMENT

(In thousands, except share amounts)

 

     Total Bristow Group Inc. Stockholders’ Investment                    
     Preferred
Stock
    Preferred
Stock
(Shares)
    Common
Stock
     Common
Stock
(Shares)
    Additional
Paid-in
Capital
     Retained
Earnings
    Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income Loss
    Treasury
Stock
    Non-
Controlling
Interests
    Total
Stockholders’
Investment
    Comprehensive
Income
 

March 31, 2009

   $ 222,554        4,600,000      $ 291         29,111,436      $ 436,296       $ 718,493      $ (152,454   $ —        $ 11,200      $ 1,236,380      $ 21,503   

Issuance of common stock through incentive compensation

     —          —          3         319,804        16,095         —          —          —          —          16,098     

Preferred stock dividends declared

     —          —          —           —          —           (6,325     —          —          —          (6,325  

Conversion of preferred stock

     (222,554     (4,600,000     65         6,522,800        222,489         —          —          —          —          —       

Non-cash distribution of noncontrolling interest

     —          —          —           —          —           (4,037     —          —          (3,584     (7,621  

Distributions paid to noncontrolling interests

     —          —          —           —          —           —          —          —          (76     (76  

Acquisition of noncontrolling interest

     —          —          —           —          —           —          —          —          (2,468     (2,468  

Change of interest gain - Bristow Norway

     —          —          —           —          2,517         —          —          —          —          2,517     

Currency translation adjustments

     —          —          —           —          —           —          —          —          219        219     

Net income

     —          —          —           —          —           112,014        —          —          1,481        113,495      $ 113,495   

Other comprehensive income

     —          —          —           —          —           —          4,352        —          —          4,352        4,352   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

March 31, 2010

     —          —          359         35,954,040        677,397         820,145        (148,102     —          6,772      $ 1,356,571      $ 117,847   

Issuance of common stock through incentive compensation

     —          —          4         357,103        12,398         —          —          —          —          12,402     

Distributions paid to noncontrolling interests

     —          —          —           —          —           —          —          —          (697     (697  

Acquisition of noncontrolling interest

     —          —          —           —          —           (800     —          —          —          (800  

Currency translation adjustments

     —          —          —           —          —           —          —          —          19        19     

Net income

     —          —          —           —          —           132,315        —          —          980        133,295        133,295   

Other comprehensive income

     —          —          —           —          —           —          17,985        —          —          17,985        17,985   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

March 31, 2011

     —          —          363         36,311,143        689,795         951,660        (130,117     —          7,074      $ 1,518,775      $ 151,280   

Issuance of common stock through incentive compensation

     —          —          —           220,679        13,833         —          —          —          —          13,833     

Correction of historical shares outstanding

     —          —          —           (249,610     —           —          —          —          —          —       

Acquisition of noncontrolling interest

     —          —          —           —          —           (139     —          —          (100     (239  

Repurchase of common stock

     —          —          —           (526,895     —           —          —          (25,085     —          (25,085  

Common stock dividends declared

     —          —          —           —          —           (21,616     —          —          —          (21,616  

Currency translation adjustments

     —          —          —           —          —           —          —          —          37        37     

Net income

     —          —          —           —          —           63,530        —          —          1,711        65,241        65,241   

Other comprehensive loss

     —          —          —           —          —           —          (29,122     —          —          (29,122     (29,122
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

March 31, 2012

   $ —          —        $ 363         35,755,317      $ 703,628       $ 993,435      $ (159,239   $ (25,085   $ 8,722      $ 1,521,824      $ 36,119   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

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BRISTOW GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 1 — OPERATIONS, BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Operations

Bristow Group Inc., a Delaware corporation (together with its consolidated entities, unless the context requires otherwise, “Bristow Group”, the “Company”, “we”, “us”, or “our”), is the leading provider of helicopter services to the worldwide offshore energy industry based on the number of aircraft operated and one of two helicopter service providers to the offshore energy industry with global operations. With a fleet of 556 aircraft as of March 31, 2012, including 195 held by unconsolidated affiliates, Bristow Group and its affiliates conduct major transportation operations in the North Sea, Nigeria and the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, and in most of the other major offshore oil and gas producing regions of the world, including Alaska, Australia, Brazil, Russia and Trinidad. Certain of our affiliates also provide helicopter military training, search and rescue services and helicopter flight training.

Basis of Presentation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Bristow Group Inc. and its consolidated entities after elimination of all significant intercompany accounts and transactions. Investments in affiliates in which we have a majority voting interest and entities that meet the criteria of Variable Interest Entities (“VIEs”) of which we are the primary beneficiary are consolidated. See discussion of VIEs in Note 3. We apply the equity method of accounting for investments in entities if we have the ability to exercise significant influence over an entity that (a) does not meet the variable interest entity criteria or (b) meets the variable interest entity criteria, but for which we are not deemed to be the primary beneficiary. We apply the cost method of accounting for investments in other entities if we do not have the ability to exercise significant influence over the unconsolidated affiliate. These investments in private companies are carried at cost and are adjusted only for capital distributions and other-than-temporary declines in value. Dividends from cost method investments are recognized in earnings from unconsolidated affiliates, net of losses, when paid.

Our fiscal year ends March 31, and we refer to fiscal years based on the end of such period. Therefore, the fiscal year ended March 31, 2012 is referred to as fiscal year 2012.

Certain reclassifications of prior period information have been made to conform to the presentation of the current period information. These reclassifications had no effect on net income as previously reported.

 

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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Use of Estimates — The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expense during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Areas where accounting estimates are made by management include:

 

   

Allowances for doubtful accounts;

 

   

Inventory allowances;

 

   

Property and equipment;

 

   

Goodwill, intangible and other long-lived assets;

 

   

Pension benefits;

 

   

Contingent liabilities; and

 

   

Taxes.

Cash and Cash Equivalents — Our cash equivalents include funds invested in highly-liquid debt instruments with original maturities of 90 days or less.

Accounts Receivable — Trade and other receivables are stated at net realizable value. We grant short-term credit to our clients, primarily major integrated, national and independent oil and gas companies. We establish allowances for doubtful accounts on a case-by-case basis when a determination is made that the required payment is unlikely to occur. In establishing these allowances, we consider a number of factors, including our historical experience, change in our clients’ financial position and restrictions placed on the conversion of local currency into U.S. dollars, as well as disputes with clients regarding the application of contract provisions to our services.

The following table is a rollforward of the allowance for doubtful accounts, including affiliates and non-affiliates, for fiscal years 2012, 2011 and 2010 (in thousands):

 

     Fiscal Year Ended March 31,  
     2012     2011     2010  

Balance – beginning of fiscal year

   $ 99      $ 4,956      $ 4,009   

Additional allowances

     162        1,039        5,441   

Write-offs and collections

     (18     (5,896     (4,495

Foreign currency effects

     —          —          1   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance – end of fiscal year

   $ 243      $ 99      $ 4,956   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

During fiscal years 2011 and 2010, we recorded allowances of $1.0 million and $4.6 million, respectively, against amounts billed to Heliservicio Campeche S.A. de C.V. (“Heliservicio”), an unconsolidated affiliate through July 15, 2011, where collectability was deemed less than probable. In fiscal year 2011, as a result of the settlement of amounts due from Heliservicio in connection with the agreement to sell our remaining interest in Heliservicio, we wrote-off $5.6 million in accounts receivable from Heliservicio, reducing the allowance for prior billings from Heliservicio to zero. See Note 2 for further discussion of the operations of and transactions with Heliservicio.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

Inventories — Inventories are stated at the lower of average cost or market value and consist primarily of spare parts. The following table is a rollforward of the allowance related to obsolete and excess inventory for fiscal years 2012, 2011 and 2010 (in thousands):

 

     Fiscal Year Ended March 31,  
     2012     2011     2010  

Balance – beginning of fiscal year

   $ 16,018      $ 13,685      $ 9,969   

Impairment of inventories

     25,919        —          —     

Additional allowances

     3,124        10,422        8,632   

Inventory disposed and scrapped

     (11,331     (8,755     (5,406

Foreign currency effects

     634        666        490   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance – end of fiscal year

   $ 34,364      $ 16,018      $ 13,685   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

During fiscal year 2012, we recorded an impairment charge of $25.9 million to write-down certain spare parts within inventories to lower of cost or market value. This impairment charge resulted from the identification of $48.8 million of inventory that is dormant, obsolete or excess based on a review of our future inventory needs completed during fiscal year 2012. This inventory review was driven by changes to our future fleet strategy. The change in fleet strategy resulted from (1) a continued shift in demand for our aircraft to newer technology aircraft types, (2) the introduction of the Bristow Client Promise through which we will position Bristow Group as the premium service provider of offshore transportation services and (3) the introduction of the new financial metric of Bristow Value Added. The change in demand for our older aircraft has accelerated over the last few quarters as a result of a renewed focus on safety and reliability across the offshore energy industry after the Macondo oil spill in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico. The change in fleet strategy resulted in the determination that we will operate certain older types of aircraft for a shorter period than originally anticipated and led to the global review of spare parts inventories supporting our fleet. This impairment charge is included on a separate line within operating expense on the condensed consolidated statements of income.

Additionally, during fiscal year 2012, we sold inventory in Mexico for a loss of $1.0 million. This loss is recorded as a reduction in gain (loss) on disposal of assets on the consolidated statement of income.

Property and Equipment — Property and equipment are stated at cost. Property and equipment includes construction in progress, primarily consisting of progress payments on aircraft purchases and facility construction, of $126.6 million and $112.4 million as of March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Interest costs applicable to the construction of qualifying assets are capitalized as a component of the cost of such assets.

Depreciation and amortization are provided on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. The estimated useful lives of aircraft range from 5 to 15 years, and the residual value used in calculating depreciation of aircraft ranges from 30% to 50% of cost. The estimated useful lives for buildings on owned properties range from 15 to 40 years. Other depreciable assets are depreciated over estimated useful lives ranging from 3 to 15 years, except for leasehold improvements which are depreciated over the lesser of the useful life of the improvement or the lease term (including any period where we have options to renew if it is probable that we will renew the lease). The cost and related accumulated depreciation of assets sold or otherwise disposed of are removed from the accounts and the resulting gains or losses are included in gain (loss) on disposal of assets.

We capitalize betterments and improvements to our aircraft and amortize such costs over the remaining useful lives of the aircraft. Betterments and improvements increase the life or utility of an aircraft.

 

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Goodwill — Goodwill is recorded when the cost of acquired businesses exceeds the fair value of the identifiable net assets acquired. Goodwill has an indefinite useful life and is not amortized, but is assessed for impairment annually as of March 31.

Goodwill totaling $29.6 million and $32.0 million as of March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, relates to our business units as follows (in thousands):

 

      Europe     Bristow
Academy
    West Africa     Other
International
     Total  

March 31, 2010

   $ 14,644      $ 10,210      $ 6,325      $ 576       $ 31,755   

Foreign currency translation

     294        53        (55     —           292   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

March 31, 2011

     14,938        10,263        6,270        576         32,047   

Purchase price adjustment to previously
acquired goodwill
(1)

     (1,914     —          —          —           (1,914

Foreign currency translation

     (470     (3     (16     —           (489
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

March 31, 2012

   $ 12,554      $ 10,260      $ 6,254      $ 576       $ 29,644   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1) 

Relates to the correction of an immaterial error related to the acquisition of an additional interest in Bristow Norway.

In the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2012, we adopted new accounting guidance that allows an entity to first assess qualitative factors to determine if it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount and if a quantitative assessment should be performed. We performed a qualitative analysis and concluded it is more likely than not that the fair value of each reporting unit is not less than the carrying value and, therefore, did not perform a quantitative analysis. Accordingly, the annual impairment assessment as of March 31, 2012 indicated there is no impairment of goodwill. Qualitative factors considered during our assessment include the capital markets environment, global economic conditions, the demand for helicopter services, the necessity for training of new pilots (Bristow Academy only), changes in our results of operations, the magnitude of the excess of fair value over the carrying amount of each reporting unit as determined in prior years’ quantitative testing, and other factors. In addition to the annual assessment, an impairment assessment of goodwill is conducted when events occur or circumstance change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount. Goodwill totaling approximately $4.8 million as of March 31, 2012 is expected to be deductible for tax purposes.

Other Intangible Assets — Intangible assets with finite useful lives are amortized over their respective estimated useful lives to their estimated residual values. Intangible assets by type were as follows (in thousands):

 

     Client
contracts
    Non-compete
agreements
    Client
relationships
    Licenses     Total  
     Gross Carrying Amount  

March 31, 2010

   $ 7,056      $ 3,393      $ 1,718      $ 817      $ 12,984   

Foreign currency translation

     281        —          68        32        381   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

March 31, 2011

     7,337        3,393        1,786        849        13,365   

Foreign currency translation

     (86     —          (40     (9     (135
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

March 31, 2012

   $ 7,251      $ 3,393      $ 1,746      $ 840      $ 13,230   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     Accumulated Amortization  

March 31, 2010

   $ (1,722   $ (2,081   $ (231   $ (138   $ (4,172

Amortization expense

     (1,270     (698     (170     (80     (2,218
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

March 31, 2011

     (2,992     (2,779     (401     (218     (6,390

Amortization expense

     (1,353     (614     (181     (86     (2,234
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

March 31, 2012

   $ (4,345   $ (3,393   $ (582   $ (304   $ (8,624
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted average remaining contractual life, in years

     2.1        —          6.4        6.2        2.1   

 

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Future amortization expense of intangible assets for each of the years ending March 31 are as follows (in thousands):

 

2013

   $  1,620   

2014

     1,620   

2015

     467   

2016

     267   

2017

     267   

Thereafter

     365   
  

 

 

 
   $ 4,606   
  

 

 

 

The non-compete agreements relate to Bristow Academy. The client contracts, client relationships and licenses relate to Bristow Norway, included in our Europe business unit.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets — Long-lived assets, such as property, plant, and equipment, and purchased intangibles subject to amortization, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. If the carrying amount of an asset or asset group to be held and used exceeds its estimated future cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized in the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset or asset group exceeds the fair value of the asset or asset group. Assets held for sale are classified as current assets in our consolidated balance sheets and recorded at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell, and are no longer depreciated. The assets and liabilities of a disposed group classified as held for sale (if any) are presented separately in the appropriate asset and liability sections of the consolidated balance sheets. We recorded impairment charges of $26.3 million and $1.5 million included in gain (loss) on disposal of assets to reduce the carrying value of aircraft held for sale in fiscal years 2012 and 2011, respectively. We did not recognize any impairment charges related to long-lived assets in fiscal year 2010. Additionally, in fiscal year 2012, we recorded an impairment charge in depreciation and amortization expense for two medium aircraft, which management intends to sell prior to the previously estimated useful life of the aircraft, resulting from the review of our operational fleet. See further discussion in Note 4.

Impairment of Investments in Unconsolidated Affiliates — 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 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 uncertainty 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. During fiscal year 2011, we recorded an impairment charge included in other income (expense), net of $2.4 million related to our investment in Heliservicio. See a discussion of the transaction resulting in the impairment of this investment in Note 2. We did not recognize any impairment charges related to our investments in unconsolidated affiliates in fiscal years 2012 and 2010.

Other Assets — In addition to the intangible assets discussed above, other assets as of March 31, 2012 and 2011 primarily include debt issuance costs of $8.1 million and $8.9 million, respectively, which are being amortized over the life of the related debt.

Contingent Liabilities — We establish reserves for estimated loss contingencies when we believe a loss is probable and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. Our contingent liability reserves relate primarily to potential tax assessments, litigation, personal injury claims and environmental liabilities. Income for each reporting period includes revisions to contingent liability reserves resulting from different facts or information which become known or circumstances which change and affect our previous assumptions with respect to the likelihood or amount of loss. Such revisions are based on information which becomes known or circumstances that change after the reporting date for the previous period through the reporting date of the current period. Reserves for contingent liabilities are based upon our assumptions and estimates regarding the probable outcome of the matter. Should the outcome differ from our assumptions and estimates or other events result in a material adjustment to the accrued estimated reserves, revisions to the estimated reserves for contingent liabilities would be required to be recognized.

 

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Proceeds from casualty insurance settlements in excess of the carrying value of damaged assets are recognized in gain (loss) on disposal of assets when we have received proof of loss documentation or are otherwise assured of collection of these amounts.

Revenue Recognition — In general, we recognize revenue when it is both realized or realizable and earned. We consider revenue to be realized or realizable and earned when the following conditions exist: there is persuasive evidence of an arrangement, generally a client contract exists; the services or products have been performed or delivered to the client; the sales price is fixed or determinable; and collection is probable. More specifically, revenue from helicopter services is recognized based on contractual rates as the related services are performed. The charges under these contracts are generally based on a two-tier rate structure consisting of a daily or monthly fixed fee plus additional fees for each hour flown. These contracts are for varying periods and generally permit the client to cancel the contract before the end of the term. We also provide services to clients on an “ad hoc” basis, which usually entails a shorter notice period and shorter duration. The charges for ad hoc services are based on an hourly rate or a daily or monthly fixed fee plus additional fees for each hour flown. In order to offset potential increases in operating costs, our long-term contracts may provide for periodic increases in the contractual rates charged for our services. We recognize the impact of these rate increases when the criteria outlined above have been met. This generally includes written recognition from the clients that they are in agreement with the amount of the rate escalation. In addition, our standard rate structure is based on fuel costs remaining at or below a predetermined threshold. Fuel costs in excess of this threshold are generally reimbursed by the client and included in operating revenue in our consolidated statements of income. Other cost reimbursements from clients are recorded as reimbursable revenue in our consolidated statements of income.

Pension Benefits — See Note 10 for a discussion of our accounting for pension benefits.

Maintenance and Repairs — We charge maintenance and repair costs, including major aircraft component overhaul costs, to earnings as the costs are incurred. However, certain major aircraft components, primarily engines and transmissions, are maintained by third-party vendors under contractual arrangements. Under these agreements, we are charged an agreed amount per hour of flying time. The costs charged under these contractual arrangements are recognized in the period in which the flight hours occur. To the extent that we have not yet been billed for costs incurred under these arrangements, these costs are included in accrued maintenance and repairs on our consolidated balance sheets.

Taxes — We follow the liability method of accounting for income taxes. Under this method, deferred income tax assets and liabilities are determined based upon temporary differences between the carrying amount and tax basis of our assets and liabilities and measured using enacted tax rates and laws that will be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse. The effect on deferred income tax assets and liabilities of a change in the tax rates is recognized in income in the period in which the change occurs. We record a valuation reserve when we believe that it is more likely than not that any deferred income tax asset created will not be realized.

In assessing the realizability of deferred income tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred income tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred income tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible.

We recognize tax benefits attributable to uncertain tax positions when it is more-likely-than-not that a tax position will be sustained upon examination by the authorities. The benefit from a position that has surpassed the more-likely-than-not threshold is the largest amount of benefit that is more than 50% likely to be realized upon settlement. We recognize interest and penalties accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits as a component of provision for income taxes.

Foreign Currency — In preparing our financial statements, we must convert all non-U.S. dollar currencies to U.S. dollars. Balance sheet information is presented based on the exchange rate as of the balance sheet date, and statement of income information is presented based on the average conversion rate for the period. The various components of stockholders’ investment are presented at their historical average exchange rates. The resulting difference after applying the different exchange rates is the currency translation adjustment. Foreign currency transaction gains and losses result from the effect of changes in exchange rates on transactions denominated in currencies other than a company’s functional currency, including transactions between consolidated companies. An exception is made where an

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

intercompany loan or advance is deemed to be of a long-term investment nature, in which instance foreign currency transaction gains or losses are included as currency translation adjustments and are reported in stockholders’ investment as accumulated other comprehensive gains or losses. Changes in exchange rates could cause significant changes in our financial position and results of operations in the future.

As a result of changes in exchange rates, we recorded foreign currency transaction gains of $0.4 million during fiscal year 2012 and foreign currency transaction losses of approximately $0.1 million and $1.2 million during fiscal years 2011 and 2010, respectively. Our earnings from unconsolidated affiliates, net of losses, are also affected by the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates on the reported results of our unconsolidated affiliates. During fiscal years 2012, 2011 and 2010, earnings from unconsolidated affiliates, net of losses, were decreased by $8.1 million and increased by $2.9 million and $5.3 million, respectively, as a result of the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates on the results of our unconsolidated affiliates, primarily the impact of changes in the Brazilian real and U.S. dollar exchange rate on results for our affiliate in Brazil.

Derivative Financial Instruments — See Note 7 for a discussion of our accounting for derivative financial instruments.

Incentive Compensation — See Note 10 for a discussion of our accounting for incentive compensation arrangements.

Other Income (Expense), Net — The amounts for fiscal years 2012, 2011 and 2010 include the foreign currency transaction gains and losses described under “Foreign Currency” above. Other income (expense), net in fiscal year 2012 did not include any other significant items. Other income (expense), net in fiscal year 2011 also includes $2.4 million for impairment of our investment in Heliservicio, gains on sales of two joint ventures of $0.6 million and a $2.3 million redemption premium as a result of the early redemption of the 6 1/8% Senior Notes due 2013 (“6 1/8% Senior Notes”). Other income (expense), net in fiscal year 2010 also includes $3.9 million of hedging gains resulting from termination of forward contracts on euro-denominated aircraft purchase commitments.

Recent Accounting Pronouncement

In June 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued an accounting pronouncement that provides new guidance on the presentation of comprehensive income in financial statements. Entities are required to present total comprehensive income either in a single, continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two, separate, but consecutive, statements. Under the single-statement approach, entities must include the components of net income, a total for net income, the components of other comprehensive income and a total for comprehensive income. Under the two-statement approach, entities must report a statement of income and, immediately following, a statement of comprehensive income. Under either method, entities must display adjustments for items reclassified from other comprehensive income to net income in both net income and comprehensive income. In December 2011, the FASB deferred the effective date of the presentation of reclassifications of items out of other comprehensive income. The remaining provisions for this pronouncement are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2011, with early adoption permitted. We will adopt this pronouncement for our fiscal year 2013 beginning April 1, 2012.

Note 2 — ACQUISITIONS AND DISPOSITIONS

Líder Acquisition

On May 26, 2009, we acquired a 42.5% interest in Líder Aviação Holding S.A. (“Líder”), the largest provider of helicopter and executive aviation services in Brazil, for $179.9 million, including transaction costs incurred in fiscal years 2010 and 2009. The investment is accounted for under the equity method of accounting. In connection with this transaction, Líder purchased one large and four medium aircraft from us for $55.0 million, resulting in a net cash outlay of $124.9 million. For the five years after this acquisition, Bristow Group has the right to provide 100% of Líder’s helicopter lease requirements as well as the right to lease 50% of Líder’s total medium and large helicopter requirements that it would otherwise fulfill through purchase or finance lease.

Additionally, the terms of the purchase agreement included incremental earn-out payments of $8.5 million for each year in the three-year period ending December 31, 2011 and a cumulative earn-out payment up to an additional $27.6

 

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million based on the achievement of growth targets over the three-year period ending December 31, 2011. Based on Líder’s audited results for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, none of the earn-out payments were earned. In connection with the acquisition of our interest in Líder, we entered into a shareholders’ agreement that defines certain rights held by shareholders of Líder. Pursuant to the shareholders’ agreement, we are entitled to appoint one of the five members of Líder’s board of directors and our approval is required for certain actions. The shareholders’ agreement also includes provisions relating to the transfer of Líder shares, including provisions that restrict the sale by us of our Líder shares for three years, provide us with a right of first refusal on certain secondary sales and a tag along right for transfers of shares and require our consent for an initial public offering by Líder in specified circumstances.

Heliservicio and RLR

Prior to January 2010, we had a 24% interest in Heliservicio and a 70% interest in Rotorwing Leasing Resources, L.L.C. (“RLR”) for our operations in Mexico. In January 2010, we acquired an additional 29% interest in RLR for $7.6 million and as a result owned 99% of RLR. Additionally, in January and February 2010, we and our partner contributed $4.6 million and $14.5 million, respectively, to Heliservicio. This contribution did not change our ownership percentage in Heliservicio. As of December 31, 2009, Heliservicio owed RLR and other Bristow Group subsidiaries $29.7 million. Subsequent to the January 2010 contributions to Heliservicio, Heliservicio settled a portion of the amounts due to us and our partner for services provided to Heliservicio in prior periods. Heliservicio had remaining outstanding amounts due to us totaling $12.8 million as of March 31, 2010 of which we provided an allowance for doubtful accounts of $4.6 million ($0.9 million of which related to disputed invoices).

On January 14, 2011, we entered into an Equity Interest Purchase and Sale Agreement with Controladora De Servicios Aeronauticos, S.A. de C.V. (“CICSA”) and Rotorwing Financial Services, Inc. (“RFS”), the owner of the other 76% of Heliservicio and the owner of the other 1% of RLR, respectively. Through this agreement, we and our partners agreed that CICSA would purchase the remaining 24% interest in Heliservicio. Additionally, concurrent with the sale of our interest in Heliservicio, we would execute an option to purchase the 1% interest in RLR owned by RFS. This transaction closed on July 15, 2011 resulting in us having no ownership interest in Heliservicio and full ownership of RLR. Our ownership interest in Heliservicio transferred to CICSA for no proceeds; however, as we had impaired our investment in Heliservicio as of March 31, 2011, we recognized no gain or loss on this transaction during fiscal year 2012. We acquired the remaining 1% interest in RLR for $0.3 million.

We continue to lease aircraft from RLR and other consolidated subsidiaries to Heliservicio under revised lease agreements.

Note 3 — VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES AND OTHER INVESTMENTS IN SIGNIFICANT AFFILIATES

VIEs

A VIE is an entity that either (i) has insufficient equity to permit the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support or (ii) has equity investors who lack the characteristics of a controlling financial interest. A VIE is consolidated by its primary beneficiary. The primary beneficiary has both the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance and the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits from the entity that could potentially be significant to the VIE. If we determine that we have operating power and the obligation to absorb losses or receive benefits, we consolidate the VIE as the primary beneficiary, and if not, we do not consolidate.

As of March 31, 2012, we had interests in three VIEs of which we are the primary beneficiary, which are described below, and had no interests in VIEs of which we are not the primary beneficiary.

Bristow Aviation Holdings Limited — We own 49% of Bristow Aviation Holdings Limited’s (“Bristow Aviation”) common stock and a significant amount of its subordinated debt. Bristow Aviation is incorporated in England and holds all of the outstanding shares in Bristow Helicopter Group Limited (“Bristow Helicopters”). Its subsidiaries provide helicopter services to clients primarily in the U.K, Norway, Australia and Nigeria. Bristow Aviation is organized with three different classes of ordinary shares having disproportionate voting rights. The Company, Caledonia Investments plc and its subsidiary, Caledonia Industrial & Services Limited (collectively, “Caledonia”) and a European Union investor (the “E.U. Investor”) own 49%, 46% and 5%, respectively, of Bristow Aviation’s total outstanding ordinary shares, although Caledonia has voting control over the E.U. Investor’s shares.

 

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In addition to our ownership of 49% of Bristow Aviation’s outstanding ordinary shares, in May 2004, we acquired eight million shares of deferred stock, essentially a subordinated class of stock with no voting rights, from Bristow Aviation for £1 per share ($14.4 million in total). We also have £91.0 million ($145.4 million) principal amount of subordinated unsecured loan stock (debt) of Bristow Aviation bearing interest at an annual rate of 13.5% and payable semi-annually. Payment of interest on such debt has been deferred since its incurrence in 1996. Deferred interest accrues at an annual rate of 13.5% and aggregated $975.1 million as of March 31, 2012.

The Company, Caledonia, the E.U. Investor and Bristow Aviation have entered into a shareholder agreement respecting, among other things, the composition of the board of directors of Bristow Aviation. On matters coming before Bristow Aviation’s board, Caledonia’s representatives have a total of three votes and the two other directors have one vote each. In addition, Caledonia has the right to nominate two persons to our board of directors and to replace any such directors so nominated.

Caledonia, the Company and the E.U. Investor also have entered into a put/call agreement under which, upon giving specified prior notice, we have the right to buy all the Bristow Aviation shares held by Caledonia and the E.U. Investor, who, in turn, each have the right to require us to purchase such shares. Under current English law, we would be required, in order for Bristow Aviation to retain its operating license, to find a qualified E.U. investor to own any Bristow Aviation shares we have the right to acquire under the put/call agreement. The only restriction under the put/call agreement limiting our ability to exercise the put/call option is a requirement to consult with the Civil Aviation Authority (“CAA”) in the U.K. regarding the suitability of the new holder of the Bristow Aviation shares. The put/call agreement does not contain any provisions should the CAA not approve the new E.U. investor. However, we would work diligently to find a E.U. investor suitable to the CAA. The amount by which we could purchase the shares of the other investors holding 51% of the equity of Bristow Aviation is fixed under the terms of the call option, and we have reflected this amount on our consolidated balance sheets as noncontrolling interest.

Furthermore, the call option provides a mechanism whereby the economic risk for the other investors is limited should the financial condition of Bristow Aviation deteriorate. The call option price is the nominal value of the ordinary shares held by the noncontrolling shareholders (£1.0 million as of March 31, 2012) plus an annual guaranteed rate of return less any prepayments of such call option price and any dividends paid on the shares concerned. We can elect to pre-pay the guaranteed return element of the call option price wholly or in part without exercising the call option. No dividends have been paid. We have accrued the annual return due to the other shareholders at a rate of sterling LIBOR plus 3% (prior to May 2004, the rate was fixed at 12%) by recognizing noncontrolling interest expense in our consolidated statements of income, with a corresponding increase in noncontrolling interest on our consolidated balance sheets. Prepayments of the guaranteed return element of the call option are reflected as a reduction in noncontrolling interest on our consolidated balance sheets. The other investors have an option to put their shares in Bristow Aviation to us. The put option price is calculated in the same way as the call option price except that the guaranteed rate for the period to April 2004 was 10% per annum. If the put option is exercised, any pre-payments of the call option price are set off against the put option price.

Changes in the balance for the noncontrolling interest associated with Bristow Aviation are as follows (in thousands):

 

     Fiscal Year Ended March 31,  
     2012     2011     2010  

Balance – beginning of fiscal year

   $ 1,582      $ 1,495      $ 1,419   

Payments to noncontrolling interest shareholders

     (63     (59     (76

Noncontrolling interest expense

     62        59        65   

Currency translation

     (4     87        87   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance – end of fiscal year

   $ 1,577      $ 1,582      $ 1,495   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Bristow Aviation and its subsidiaries are exposed to similar operational risks and are therefore monitored and evaluated on a similar basis by management. Accordingly, the financial information reflected on our consolidated

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

balance sheets and statements of income for Bristow Aviation and subsidiaries is presented in the aggregate, including intercompany amounts with other consolidated entities, as follows (in thousands):

 

     March 31,  
     2012      2011  

Assets

     

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 31,978       $ 29,840   

Accounts receivable

     274,853         190,896   

Inventories

     98,208         108,586   

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     30,975         50,296   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total current assets

     436,014         379,618   

Investment in unconsolidated affiliates

     12,370         12,344   

Property and equipment, net

     148,622         221,274   

Goodwill

     13,528         15,915   

Other assets

     11,529         9,794   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 622,063       $ 638,945   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Liabilities

     

Accounts payable

   $ 109,967       $ 72,140   

Accrued liabilities

     1,049,419         902,570   

Deferred taxes

     9,142         9,816   

Short-term borrowings and current maturities of long-term debt

     —           2,724   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     1,168,528         987,250   

Long-term debt, less current maturities

     154,217         156,080   

Accrued pension liabilities

     111,742         99,645   

Other liabilities and deferred credits

     719         13,043   

Deferred taxes

     —           16,334   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities

   $ 1,435,206       $ 1,272,352   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

     Fiscal Year Ended March 31,  
     2012     2011     2010  

Revenue

   $ 1,044,060      $ 904,849      $ 845,169   

Operating (loss) income

     (16,543     36,789        36,828   

Net loss

     (151,707     (86,451     (76,143

Bristow Helicopters Nigeria Ltd. — Bristow Helicopters Nigeria Ltd. (“BHNL”) is a joint venture in Nigeria with local partners in which we own an interest of 40%. BHNL provides helicopter services to clients in Nigeria.

In order to have a presence in the Nigerian market, we were required to identify local citizens to participate in the ownership of entities domiciled in the region. However, these owners do not have extensive knowledge of the aviation industry and have historically deferred to our expertise in the overall management and day-to-day operation of BHNL (including the establishment of operating and capital budgets and strategic decisions regarding the potential expansion of BHNL’s operations). We have also historically provided subordinated financial support to BHNL and will need to continue to do so unless and until BHNL acquires sufficient equity to permit itself to finance its activities without that additional support from us. Thus, because we have the power to direct the most significant activities affecting the economic performance and ongoing success of BHNL and hold a variable interest in the entity in the form of our equity investment and working capital infusions, we consolidate BHNL as the primary beneficiary.

BHNL is an indirect subsidiary of Bristow Aviation; therefore, financial information for this entity is included within the amounts for Bristow Aviation and its subsidiaries presented above.

 

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Pan African Airlines Nigeria Ltd. — Pan African Airlines Nigeria Ltd. (“PAAN”) is a joint venture in Nigeria with local partners in which we own an interest of 50.17%. PAAN provides helicopter services to clients in Nigeria.

The activities that most significantly impact PAAN’s economic performance relate to the day-to-day operation of PAAN, setting of operating and capital budgets and strategic decisions regarding the potential expansion of PAAN’s operations. Throughout the history of PAAN, our representation on the board and our secondment to PAAN of its managing director has enabled us to direct the key operational decisions of PAAN (without objection from the other board members). We have also historically provided subordinated financial support to PAAN and will need to continue to do so unless and until PAAN acquires sufficient equity to permit itself to finance its activities without that additional support from us. As we have the power to direct the most significant activities affecting the economic performance and ongoing success of PAAN and hold a variable interest in the form of our equity investment and working capital infusions, we consolidate PAAN as the primary beneficiary. However, as long as we own a majority interest in PAAN, the separate presentation of financial information in a tabular format for PAAN is not required.

Other Significant Affiliates — Consolidated

In addition to the VIEs discussed above, we consolidate the following less than 100% owned entity:

Aviashelf Aviation Co. — Bristow Aviation has a 48.5% interest in Aviashelf Aviation Co. (“Aviashelf”), a Russian helicopter company. Additionally, we own 51% of two U.K. joint venture companies, Bristow Helicopters Leasing Ltd. (“BHLL”) and Sakhalin Bristow Air Services Ltd. (“SBAS”). These two U.K. companies lease aircraft to Aviashelf which holds the contracts for our Russian operations. Aviashelf is consolidated based on the ability of certain consolidated subsidiaries of Bristow Aviation to control the vote on a majority of the shares of Aviashelf, rights to manage the day to day operations of the company which were granted under a shareholders’ agreement, and our ability to acquire an additional 8.5% interest in Aviashelf under a put/call option agreement.

Other Significant Affiliates — Unconsolidated

We have investments in other significant unconsolidated affiliates as described below.

PAS — In Egypt, we operate through our 25% interest in Petroleum Air Services (“PAS”), an Egyptian corporation. PAS provides helicopter and fixed wing transportation to the offshore energy industry. Additionally, spare fixed wing capacity is chartered to tourism operators. PAS owns 45 aircraft. PAS is accounted for under the cost method as we are unable to exert significant influence over its operations.

FB Entities — We own a 50% interest in each of FBS Limited (“FBS”), FB Heliservices Limited (“FBH”), and FB Leasing Limited (“FBL”), collectively referred to as the FB Entities, U.K. corporations which principally provide pilot training, maintenance and support services to the British military under a contract that runs through March 2016 with two possible one year extensions. In connection with the performance of this contract, Bristow Aviation has guaranteed repayment of up to £10 million ($16.0 million) of FBS’s outstanding debt obligation for aircraft purchased. FBS and FBL own and operate a total of 64 aircraft. The FB Entities are accounted for under the equity method.

Líder — In Brazil, we own a 42.5% interest in Líder, a provider of helicopter and executive aviation services. Líder’s fleet has 53 helicopters and 33 fixed wing aircraft. Líder also leases 11 aircraft from us and one aircraft from a third party to provide helicopter services to its clients. Líder is accounted for under the equity method. See Note 2.

Other — Historically, in addition to the expansion of our business through purchases of new and used aircraft, we have also established new joint ventures with local partners or purchased significant ownership interests in companies with ongoing helicopter operations, particularly in countries where we have no operations or our operations are limited in scope, and we continue to evaluate similar opportunities which could enhance our operations. Where we believe that it is probable that an equity method investment will result, the costs associated with such investment evaluations are deferred and included in investment in unconsolidated affiliated in the consolidated balance sheet. For each investment evaluated, an impairment of deferred costs is recognized in the period in which we determined that it is no longer probable an equity method investment will result. As of March 31, 2012, we had $2.4 million in investments in unconsolidated affiliates in the process of being evaluated.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

Our percentage ownership and investment balances for the unconsolidated affiliates are as follows:

 

     March 31,  
          2012             2011         2012      2011  
                 (In thousands)  

Cost Method:

         

PAS

     25     25   $ 6,286       $ 6,286   

Other

         104         104   

Equity Method:

         

FB Entities

     50     50     11,410         11,508   

Heliservicio (1)

     —       24     —           —     

Líder

     42.5     42.5     183,916         189,854   

Other

         3,384         882   
      

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

       $ 205,100       $ 208,634   
      

 

 

    

 

 

 

Earnings from unconsolidated affiliates were as follows (in thousands):

 

     Fiscal Year Ended March 31,  
     2012     2011     2010  

Dividends from entities accounted for on the cost method:

      

PAS

   $ 2,060      $ 2,560      $ 2,560   

Other

     337        89        217   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     2,397        2,649        2,777   

Earnings, net of losses, from entities accounted for on the equity method:

      

FB Entities

     11,014        9,686        8,645   

Heliservicio (1)

     —          (884     (1,958

Líder

     (3,280     8,513        2,275   

Other

     548        137        113   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     8,282        17,452        9,075   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   $ 10,679      $ 20,101      $ 11,852   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) 

See discussion of our investment in Heliservicio in Note 2. Prior to July 15, 2011, Heliservicio was a VIE which we were not the primary beneficiary and was accounted for under the equity method.

We received $14.1 million, $11.5 million and $11.3 million of dividends from our investments accounted for on the equity method for fiscal years 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

A summary of combined financial information of our unconsolidated affiliates accounted for under the equity method is set forth below (in thousands):

 

     March 31,  
     2012      2011  
     (Unaudited)      (Unaudited)  

Current assets

   $ 232,010       $ 235,174   

Non-current assets

     473,815         467,922   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 705,825       $ 703,096   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Current liabilities

   $ 142,432       $ 185,427   

Non-current liabilities

     330,436         266,630   

Equity

     232,957         251,039   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities and equity

   $ 705,825       $ 703,096   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

     Fiscal Year Ended March 31,  
     2012      2011      2010  
     (Unaudited)      (Unaudited)      (Unaudited)  

Revenue

   $ 526,216       $ 606,097       $ 493,627   

Gross profit

   $ 95,508       $ 99,828       $ 56,491   

Net income

   $ 23,926       $ 50,091       $ 12,632   

Note 4 — PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT AND ASSETS HELD FOR SALE

Property and Equipment

Fiscal year 2012. During fiscal year 2012, we made capital expenditures of $326.4 million for aircraft and other equipment, adding a total of 11 owned aircraft to our consolidated fleet. We also completed the following transactions during fiscal year 2012:

 

   

The disposal of 29 aircraft and other equipment for proceeds of $58.2 million, which resulted in a net loss of $3.3 million included in gain (loss) on disposal of assets in our consolidated statement of income.

 

   

We received proceeds of $147.8 million for the sale of seven aircraft and entered into seven separate agreements to lease back these aircraft.

 

   

We transferred our interest in two aircraft previously included in construction in progress within property and equipment on our consolidated balance sheet in return for $23.4 million in progress payments previously paid on these aircraft.

 

   

We received proceeds from insurance recoveries of $10.4 million, recording a loss of $1.1 included in gain (loss) on disposal of assets in our consolidated statement of income.

 

   

We recorded an impairment charge of $2.8 million related to two medium aircraft our management intends to sell prior to the previously estimated life of the aircraft. This impairment charge is included in depreciation and amortization expense in the consolidated statement of income.

 

   

We recorded an impairment charge of $2.7 million resulting from the abandonment of certain assets located in Creole, Louisiana and used in our U.S. Gulf of Mexico operations as we ceased operations from that location. This impairment charge is included in depreciation and amortization expense in the consolidated statement of income.

 

   

We recorded a $1.1 million loss on the disposal of a fixed wing aircraft previously operating in Nigeria that was damaged in an incident upon landing. The aircraft was insured, but subject to self-insured retention and loss sensitive factors. The $1.1 million loss is included as a reduction in gain (loss) on disposal of assets in our consolidated statement of income.

 

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We transferred 21 aircraft to held for sale, reducing property and equipment by $30.2 million.

The disposal of aircraft in fiscal year 2012 included the disposal of nine AS332L large aircraft for $28.9 million, realizing a loss of $5.6 million. See discussion of impairment of held for sale AS332Ls under “Assets Held for Sale” below.

Fiscal Year 2011. During fiscal year 2011, we made capital expenditures of $145.5 million for aircraft and other equipment, adding a total of 8 owned aircraft to our fleet. We also completed the following transactions during fiscal year 2011:

 

   

The disposal of 16 aircraft and other equipment for proceeds of proceeds of $20.1 million, which together resulted in a net gain of $10.2 million included in gain (loss) on disposal of assets.

 

   

We received proceeds from insurance recoveries of $7.3 million, of which a gain of $4.2 million was recorded in fiscal year 2010.

 

   

We recorded an impairment charge of $5.3 million, included in depreciation and amortization expense, related to expenditures made primarily in fiscal years 2010 and 2009 to upgrade an internal software system, as it was no longer probable that this system upgrade would be completed. These expenditures had been included in construction in progress.

 

   

We received $4.0 million in deposit for aircraft and inventory held for sale.

 

   

We transferred 14 aircraft to held for sale, reducing property and equipment by $27.4 million.

Fiscal Year 2010. During fiscal year 2010, we made capital expenditures of $306.9 million for aircraft and other equipment, adding a total of 26 owned aircraft to our fleet. We also completed the following transactions during fiscal year 2010:

 

   

The disposal of 22 aircraft and other equipment for proceeds of $78.7 million, which together resulted in a net gain of $14.5 million included in gain (loss) on disposal of assets in the consolidated statement of income.

 

   

We recorded a $4.2 million gain related to insurance recoveries as discussed above.

Assets Held for Sale

As of March 31, 2012 and 2011, we had 19 and 16 aircraft, respectively, totaling $18.7 million and $31.6 million classified as held for sale. We recorded impairment charges of $26.3 million and $1.5 million to reduce the carrying value of 19 and three aircraft held for sale, during fiscal years 2012 and 2011, respectively. These impairment charges are included as a reduction in gain (loss) on disposal of assets in the consolidated statements of income. No impairment charge was recorded in fiscal year 2010 to reduce the carrying value of aircraft to their fair values.

The impairment charges recorded in fiscal year 2012 include a charge of $23.3 million related to two AS332Ls included as part of the sale of the AS332Ls discussed under “Property and Equipment” above, but where title did not transfer prior to March 31, 2012, and five other AS332Ls held for sale. This impairment was triggered as a result of losses realized on the sale of similar aircraft in fiscal year 2012.

 

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Note 5 — DEBT

Debt as of March 31, 2012 and 2011 consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

     March 31,  
     2012     2011  

7 1/2% Senior Notes due 2017, including $0.3 million and $0.4 million of unamortized premium, respectively

   $ 350,346      $ 350,410   

Term Loan

     245,000        200,000   

Revolving Credit Facility

     59,300        30,000   

3% Convertible Senior Notes due 2038, including $12.4 million and $15.8 million of unamortized discount, respectively

     102,599        99,219   

Bristow Norway Debt

     —          11,454   

RLR Note

     —          14,900   

Other debt

     —          1,478   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total debt

     757,245        707,461   

Less short-term borrowings and current maturities of long-term debt

     (14,375     (8,979
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total long-term debt

   $ 742,870      $ 698,482   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

7 1/2% Senior Notes due 2017 — On June 13 and November 13, 2007, we completed offerings totaling $350 million of 7 1/2% Senior Notes due 2017 (the “7 1/2% Senior Notes”). $50 million of the notes were issued for a premium of $0.6 million, which is being amortized over the life of the notes as a reduction of interest expense. These notes are unsecured senior obligations and rank effectively junior in right of payment to all of our existing and future secured indebtedness, rank equal in right of payment with our existing and future senior unsecured indebtedness and rank senior in right of payment to any of our existing and future subordinated indebtedness. The 7 1/2% Senior Notes are guaranteed by certain of our U.S. subsidiaries (the “Guarantor Subsidiaries”), which are the same subsidiaries that guaranteed the 6 1/8% Senior Notes due 2013 and are guarantors of the 3% Convertible Senior Notes (discussed below). The indenture for the 7 1/2% Senior Notes includes restrictive covenants which limit, among other things, our ability to incur additional debt, issue disqualified stock, pay dividends, repurchase stock, invest in other entities, sell assets, incur additional liens or security, merge or consolidate the Company and enter into transactions with affiliates. Interest on the 7 1/2% Senior Notes is paid on March 15 and September 15 of each year and the 7 1/2% Senior Notes mature on September 15, 2017. The 7 1/2% Senior Notes are redeemable at our option; however, any payment or re-financing of these notes prior to September 15, 2012 is subject to a make-whole premium, and any payment or re-financing is subject to a prepayment premium of 103.75%, 102.50% and 101.25% if redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning on September 15 of 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively, after which the 7 1/2% Senior Notes are redeemable at par. Pursuant to a registration rights agreement with the holders of our 7 1/2% Senior Notes, we exchanged their notes for publicly registered notes with identical terms on March 3, 2008.

Revolving Credit Facility and Term Loan — In November 2010, we entered into a $375 million amended and restated revolving credit and term loan agreement (“Amended and Restated Credit Agreement”), which included a five-year, $175 million revolving credit facility (with a subfacility of $30 million for letters of credit) (“Revolving Credit Facility”) and a five-year, $200 million term loan (“Term Loan”) (together referred to as our “Credit Facilities”). Proceeds from the Term Loan and the borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility were used primarily to redeem the 6 1/8% Senior Notes as described below.

On December 22, 2011, we entered into the First Amendment to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the “Amendment”). The Amendment (i) increased the commitments under the Revolving Credit Facility from $175 million to $200 million, (ii) increased our Term Loan borrowings from $200 million to $250 million, (iii) extended the maturity date of the Revolving Credit Facility and Term Loan from November 2015 to December 2016 and (iv) reduced the applicable margins and commitment fees with respect to the Revolving Credit Facility and Term Loan. Proceeds from the $50 million increase of the Term Loan were used to pay off other borrowings at higher interest rates and for general corporate purposes. Borrowings under the Term Loan are payable in quarterly installments and commenced on December 30, 2011, with $133.8 million due in December 2016.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

As amended by the Amendment, borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility bear interest at an interest rate equal to, at our option, either the Base Rate or LIBOR (or EURIBO, in the case of Euro-denominated borrowings) plus the applicable margin. “Base Rate” means the higher of (1) the prime rate and (2) the Federal Funds rate plus 0.50% per annum. The applicable margin for borrowings ranges from 0.00% to 2.25%, depending on whether the Base Rate or LIBOR is used, and is determined based on our leverage ratio pricing grid. In addition, under the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, we are required to pay fees on the daily unused amount of the Revolving Credit Facility in an amount per annum equal to an applicable percentage, which ranges from 0.25% to 0.50% and is determined based on our leverage ratio pricing grid. Fees owed on the letters of credit issued under the Revolving Credit Facility are equal to the applicable margin for LIBOR borrowings. The interest rate was 2.25% and 2.75% as of March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Obligations under the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement are guaranteed by the Guarantor Subsidiaries and secured by the U.S. cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, inventories, non-aircraft equipment, prepaid expenses and other current assets, intangible assets and intercompany promissory notes held by Bristow Group Inc. and the Guarantor Subsidiaries, and 100% and 65% of the capital stock of certain of our principal domestic and foreign subsidiaries, respectively. In addition, the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement includes customary covenants, including certain financial covenants and restrictions on our ability to enter into certain transactions, including those that could result in the incurrence of additional indebtedness and liens; the making of loans, guarantees or investments; sale of assets; payments of dividends or repurchases of our capital stock; and entering into transactions with affiliates.

During fiscal year 2012, we made payments of $80.0 million and $5.0 million to reduce our borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility and Term Loan, respectively. Additionally, we have received loan proceeds under the Revolving Credit Facility of $109.3 million which were primarily used for aircraft purchase payments. As of March 31, 2012, we had $0.6 million in letters of credit and $59.3 million in loans outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility.

6 1/8% Senior Notes due 2013 — On June 20, 2003, we completed an offering of $230 million of the 6 1/8% Senior Notes. These notes were unsecured senior obligations and ranked effectively junior in right of payment to all our existing and future secured indebtedness, ranked equal in right of payment with our existing and future senior unsecured indebtedness and ranked senior in right of payment to any of our existing and future subordinated indebtedness. The 6 1/8% Senior Notes were guaranteed by the Guarantor Subsidiaries and scheduled to mature on June 15, 2013. On December 23, 2010, we redeemed the 6 1/8% Senior Notes and incurred a $2.3 million redemption premium which is included in other income (expense), net for fiscal year 2011. Additionally, we recorded non-cash expense of $2.4 million for unamortized debt issuance cost which is included in interest expense for fiscal year 2011.

3% Convertible Senior Notes due 2038 — In June 2008, we completed the sale of $115 million of 3% Convertible Senior Notes. These notes are unsecured senior obligations and rank effectively junior in right of payment to our existing and future secured indebtedness, rank equal in right of payment to all of our existing and future unsecured senior debt and rank senior in right of payment to any of our existing and future subordinated indebtedness. The 3% Convertible Senior Notes are guaranteed by the Guarantor Subsidiaries. Interest is paid on the 3% Convertible Senior Notes on June 15 and December 15 of each year. The notes are convertible, under certain circumstances, using a net share settlement process, into a combination of cash and our common stock (“Common Stock”). In general, upon conversion of a note, the holder will receive cash equal to the principal amount of the note and Common Stock to the extent of the note’s conversion value in excess of such principal amount. The following table sets forth the stock price and additional shares by which the applicable conversion rate will be increased upon conversion, subject to the terms discussed above.

 

Market Value of Common Stock

 

Number of Shares of Common

Stock Issued for Each $1,000

Principal Amount of 3%

Convertible Senior Notes

 

Total Number of Shares of

Common Stock Issued for 3%

Convertible Senior Notes

$46.40 or less

  21.5504   2,478,296

Between $46.40 and $168.30

  21.5503 to 13.0610   2,478,285 to 1,502,015

$168.31 and above

  13.0609   1,502,004

 

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The notes will mature on June 15, 2038 and may not be redeemed by us prior to June 15, 2015, after which they may be redeemed at 100% of principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest. Holders of the 3% Convertible Senior Notes may require us to repurchase any or all of their notes for cash on June 15, 2015, 2020, 2025, 2030 and 2035, or in the event of a fundamental change, as defined in the indenture for the 3% Convertible Senior Notes (including the delisting of our Common Stock and certain change of control transactions), at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest. If a holder elects to convert its notes in connection with certain fundamental changes occurring prior to June 15, 2015, we will increase the applicable conversion rate by a specified number of additional shares of Common Stock. As of March 31, 2012, the if-converted value of the 3% Convertible Senior Notes did not exceed the principal balance.

Accounting standards require that convertible debt instruments that may be settled in cash upon conversion (including partial cash settlement) be accounted for with a liability component based on the fair value of a similar nonconvertible debt instrument and an equity component based on the excess of the initial proceeds from the convertible debt instrument over the liability component. Such excess represents proceeds related to the conversion option and is recorded as additional paid-in capital. The liability is recorded at a discount, which is then amortized as additional non-cash interest expense over the convertible debt instrument’s remaining life. The balances of the debt and equity components as of each period presented are as follows (in thousands):

 

     March 31,     March 31,  
   2012     2011  

Equity component – net carrying value

   $ 14,905      $ 14,905   

Debt component:

    

Face amount due at maturity

   $ 115,000      $ 115,000   

Unamortized discount

     (12,401     (15,781
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Debt component – net carrying value

   $ 102,599      $ 99,219   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

The remaining debt discount is being amortized into interest expense over the expected three year remaining life of the 3% Convertible Senior Notes using the effective interest rate. The effective interest rate for each of fiscal years 2012, 2011 and 2010 was 6.9%. Interest expense related to our 3% Convertible Senior Notes for fiscal years 2012, 2011 and 2010 was as follows (in thousands):

 

     Fiscal Year Ended
March 31,
 
     2012      2011      2010  

Contractual coupon interest

   $ 3,450       $ 3,450       $ 3,450   

Amortization of debt discount

     3,380         3,176         2,976   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total interest expense

   $ 6,830       $ 6,626       $ 6,426   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Bristow Norway Debt and Overdraft Facility — Bristow Norway had a term loan used to purchase a helicopter that was denominated in U.S. dollars prior to converting to NOK in August 2009. In February 2012, we repaid the U.S. dollar equivalent $10.5 million balance of the Bristow Norway term loan in full along with unpaid interest. The payment of the term loan released the security interest in the helicopter and certain receivables. Additionally, Bristow Norway has an overdraft facility of NOK 5 million ($0.9 million) with a Norwegian bank. No borrowings were outstanding under this overdraft facility as of March 31, 2012. Borrowings under the overdraft facility bear interest at a reference rate plus a margin and this overdraft facility can be terminated by either party upon ten banking days’ written notice.

RLR Note — In July 2008 we refinanced a 5.5% fixed interest term loan secured by six aircraft with a five-year term loan (the “RLR Note”) at a fixed interest rate of 5.5% and monthly payments of $0.2 million. As part of the refinancing, the security interest in one of the six aircraft was released. On January 5, 2012, we repaid the remaining $14.0 million balance outstanding in full along with unpaid interest, and the security interest in the remaining five aircraft was released.

Other debt — In April 2010, Aviashelf entered into a loan with Bank Iturup for 60 million Russian rubles ($2.0 million) at a 19% interest rate. This loan was repaid in full in February 2012.

 

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Other Matters — Aggregate annual maturities (which excludes unamortized premium of $0.3 million and unamortized discount of $12.4 million) for all debt for the next five fiscal years and thereafter are as follows (in thousands):

 

Fiscal year ending March 31

  

2013

   $ 14,375   

2014

     21,875   

2015

     28,125   

2016

     31,250   

2017

     208,675   

Thereafter

     465,000   
  

 

 

 
   $ 769,300   
  

 

 

 

Interest paid in fiscal years 2012, 2011, and 2010 was $37.8 million, $47.7 million and $45.3 million, respectively. Capitalized interest was $5.0 million, $6.0 million and $8.0 million in fiscal years 2012, 2011, and 2010, respectively.

Note 6 — FAIR VALUE DISCLOSURES

Assets and liabilities subject to fair value measurement are categorized into one of three different levels depending on the observability of the inputs employed in the measurement, as follows:

 

   

Level 1 – observable inputs that reflect quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.

 

   

Level 2 – inputs reflect quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in markets that are not active; quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability; or inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means.

 

   

Level 3 – unobservable inputs reflecting the Company’s own assumptions incorporated in valuation techniques used to determine fair value. These assumptions are required to be consistent with market participant assumptions that are reasonably available.

Non-recurring Fair Value Measurements

The majority of our non-financial assets, which include inventories, property and equipment, goodwill and other intangible assets, are not required to be carried at fair value on a recurring basis. However, if certain triggering events occur such that a non-financial asset is required to be evaluated for impairment and deemed to be impaired, the impaired non-financial asset is recorded as its fair value.

The following table summarizes the assets as of March 31, 2012, which are valued at fair value on a non-recurring basis (in thousands):

 

     Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical
Assets
(Level 1)
     Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
     Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
     Balance as  of
March 31, 2012
     Total Gain
(Loss) for
Fiscal Year
2012
 

Inventories

   $ —         $ 21,482       $ —         $ 21,482       $ (25,919

Aircraft

     —           13,700         —           13,700         (2,690

Assets held for sale

     —           12,780         —           12,780         (26,278
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ —         $ 47,962       $ —         $ 47,962       $ (54,887
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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The following table summarizes the assets as of March 31, 2011, which are valued at fair value on a non-recurring basis (in thousands):

 

     Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical
Assets
(Level 1)
     Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
     Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
     Balance as  of
March 31, 2011
     Total Gain
(Loss) for
Fiscal Year
2011
 

Assets held for sale

   $ —           1,050       $ —         $ 1,050          $ (1,500
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

  

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ —         $ 1,050       $ —         $ 1,050          $ (1,500
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

  

 

 

 

The fair value of inventories using Level 2 inputs is determined by evaluating the current economic conditions for sale and disposal of spare parts, which includes estimates as to the recoverability of the carrying value of the parts based on historical experience with sales and disposal of similar spare parts, the expected timeframe of sales or disposals, the location of the spare parts to be sold and the condition of the spare parts to be sold or otherwise disposed of. See Note 1 for further discussion of the impairment of inventories. The fair value of the aircraft and assets held for sale using Level 2 inputs is determined through evaluation of future cash flow generation from operating aircraft and expected sales proceeds for aircraft. This analysis includes estimates based on historical experience with sales, recent transactions involving similar assets, quoted market prices for similar assets and condition and location of aircraft to be sold or otherwise disposed of.

Recurring Fair Value Measurements

The following table summarizes the financial instruments we had as of March 31, 2012, which are valued at fair value on a recurring basis (in thousands):

 

     Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical
Assets

(Level 1)
     Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
     Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
     Balance as  of
March 31, 2012
     Balance  Sheet
Classification

Rabbi Trust investments

   $ 4,171       $ —         $ —         $ 4,171       Other assets
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

Total assets

   $ 4,171       $ —         $ —         $ 4,171      
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

The following table summarizes the financial instruments we had as of March 31, 2011, which are valued at fair value on a recurring basis (in thousands):

 

     Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical
Assets
(Level 1)
     Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
     Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
     Balance as  of
March 31, 2011
     Balance  Sheet
Classification

Derivative asset

   $ —         $ 3,306       $ —         $ 3,306       Prepaid expenses
and other current
assets

Rabbi Trust investments

     4,091         —           —           4,091       Other assets
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

Total assets

   $ 4,091       $ 3,306       $ —         $ 7,397      
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

The rabbi trust investments consist of mutual funds whose fair value is based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets, and are designated as Level 1 within the valuation hierarchy. The rabbi trust holds investments related to our non-qualified deferred compensation plan for our senior executives as discussed in Note 10. The methods and assumptions used to estimate the fair value of the derivative asset in the table above include the mark-to-market statements from the counterparties, which can be validated using modeling techniques that include market inputs, such as publicly available forward market rates, and are designated as Level 2 within the valuation hierarchy.

 

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The fair value of our financial instruments has been estimated in accordance with the accounting standard regarding fair value. The fair value of our fixed rate long-term debt is estimated based on quoted market prices. The carrying and fair value of our long-term debt, including the current portion, are as follows (in thousands):

 

     March 31,  
     2012      2011  
     Carrying
Value
     Fair Value      Carrying
Value
     Fair Value  

7 1/2% Senior Notes

   $ 350,346       $ 364,875       $ 350,410       $ 367,500   

Term Loan

     245,000         245,000         200,000         200,000   

Revolving Credit Facility

     59,300         59,300         30,000         30,000   

3% Convertible Senior Notes

     102,599         120,750         99,219         114,929   

Other

     —           —           27,832         27,832   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 757,245       $ 789,925       $ 707,461       $ 740,261   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Other

The fair values of our cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable approximate their carrying value due to the short-term nature of these items.

NOTE 7 — DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

From time to time we enter into forward exchange contracts as a hedge against foreign currency asset and liability commitments and anticipated transaction exposures, including intercompany purchases. All derivatives are recognized as assets or liabilities and measured at fair value. Derivatives that are not determined to be effective hedges are adjusted to fair value with a corresponding effect on earnings. We do not use financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes.

The designation of a derivative instrument as a hedge and its ability to meet relevant hedge accounting criteria determines how the change in fair value of the derivative instrument will be reflected in the consolidated financial statements. A derivative qualifies for hedge accounting if, at inception, the derivative is expected to be highly effective in offsetting the hedge’s underlying cash flows or fair value and the documentation requirements of the accounting standard for derivative instruments and hedging activities are fulfilled at the time we enter into the derivative contract. A hedge is designated as a cash flow hedge, fair value hedge, or a net investment in foreign operations hedge based on the exposure being hedged. The asset or liability value of the derivative will change in tandem with its fair value. Changes in fair value, for the effective portion of qualifying hedges, are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss. The derivative’s gain or loss is released from accumulated other comprehensive loss to match the timing of the effect on earnings of the hedge’s underlying cash flows.

We review the effectiveness of our hedging instruments on a quarterly basis. We recognize current period hedge ineffectiveness immediately in earnings, and we discontinue hedge accounting for any hedge that we no longer consider to be highly effective. Changes in fair value for derivatives not designated as hedges or those not qualifying for hedge accounting are recognized in current period earnings. Upon termination of cash flow hedges, we release gains and losses from accumulated other comprehensive loss based on the timing of the underlying cash flows, unless the termination results from the failure of the intended transaction to occur in the expected timeframe. Such an untimely occurrence requires us to immediately recognize in earnings gains and losses previously recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss.

None of our derivative instruments contain credit-risk-related contingent features. Counterparties to our derivative contracts are high credit quality financial institutions.

We entered into forward contracts during fiscal years 2012, 2011 and 2010 to mitigate our exposure to exchange rate fluctuations on our euro-denominated aircraft purchase commitments, which have been designated as cash flow hedges for accounting purposes. We had no open forward contracts relating to euro-denominated aircraft purchase

 

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commitments as of March 31, 2012. We had six open forward contracts as of March 31, 2011, which had rates ranging from 1.3153 U.S. dollars per euro to 1.3267 U.S. dollars per euro. These contracts had an underlying notional value of between €5,000,000 and €7,000,000, for a total of €34,300,871, with the first contract having expired in May 2011 and the last in June 2011. During the three months ended June 30, 2011, we entered into an additional open forward contract at a rate of 1.418 U.S. dollars per euro with an underlying notional value of €13,826,241 that expired in July 2011. As of March 31, 2011, the fair value of these contracts was an asset of $3.3 million and is included in prepaid expenses and other current assets in our consolidated balance sheet. As of March 31, 2011, an unrecognized gain on these contracts of $2.2 million, net of tax, was included as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss. No gains or losses relating to forward contracts are recognized in our consolidated statements of income for fiscal years 2012 and 2011; however, we recognized gains of $3.9 million in fiscal year 2010 in our consolidated statements of income as a component of other income (expense), net as a result of early termination of forward contracts on euro-denominated aircraft purchase commitments.

During the fiscal year 2010, we entered into participating forward derivative contracts to mitigate our exposure to exchange rate fluctuations on our euro-denominated third party maintenance contracts. As of March 31, 2010, the fair value of the three open contracts was a liability of $0.1 million with strike/call prices ranging from 0.9183 British pound sterling per euro to 0.9249 British pound sterling per euro and underlying notional values totaling €2,850,000, that expired in June 2010. The related strike/put prices and the expiration dates were the same as the calls but had underlying notional values totaling €1,425,000. These contracts were designated as hedges for accounting purposes, and as such, changes to the fair value of the derivative instruments were recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss as if the hedge was deemed to be effective.

Information on the location and amounts of derivative gains and losses on the consolidated balance sheet and the consolidated statement of income as of and for fiscal year 2012 is as follows (in thousands):

 

Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships

  Amount of
Gain  (Loss)
Recognized in
Other
Comprehensive
Income
(“OCI”) on
Derivative
(Effective
Portion)
    Location of Gain (Loss)
Reclassified from
Accumulated OCI into
Income (Effective
Portion)
  Amount of  Gain
(Loss)
Reclassified  from
Accumulated OCI
into

Income (Effective
Portion)
    Location of Gain  (Loss)
Recognized in Income
on

Derivative (Ineffective
Portion and Amount
Excluded from
Effectiveness Testing)
  Amount of
Gain  (Loss)
Recognized in
Income  on
Derivative
(Ineffective
Portion  and
Amount
Excluded  from
Effectiveness
Testing)
 

Foreign currency forward contracts

  $ (2,150   Other income (expense),

net

  $ —        Other income (expense),

net

  $ —     
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
  $ (2,150     $ —          $ —     
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

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Information on the location and amounts of derivative gains and losses on the consolidated balance sheet and the consolidated statement of income for fiscal year 2011 is as follows (in thousands):

 

Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships

  Amount of
Gain  (Loss)
Recognized in
OCI on
Derivative
(Effective
Portion)
    Location of Gain  (Loss)
Reclassified from
Accumulated OCI into
Income (Effective
Portion)
  Amount of  Gain
(Loss)
Reclassified  from
Accumulated OCI
into

Income (Effective
Portion)
    Location of Gain  (Loss)
Recognized in Income on
Derivative (Ineffective
Portion and Amount
Excluded from
Effectiveness Testing)
  Amount of
Gain (Loss)
Recognized in
Income on
Derivative
(Ineffective
Portion  and
Amount
Excluded
from

Effectiveness
Testing)
 

Foreign currency forward contracts

    2,150      Other income (expense),
net
  $ —        Other income (expense),

net

    —     
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
  $ 2,150        $ —          $ —     
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Information on the location and amounts of derivative gains and losses on the consolidated balance sheet and the consolidated statement of income for fiscal year 2010 is as follows (in thousands):

 

Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships

  Amount of
Gain  (Loss)
Recognized in
OCI  on
Derivative
(Effective
Portion)
    Location of Gain  (Loss)
Reclassified from
Accumulated OCI into
Income (Effective
Portion)
  Amount of  Gain
(Loss)
Reclassified  from
Accumulated OCI
into

Income (Effective
Portion)
    Location of Gain  (Loss)
Recognized in Income on
Derivative (Ineffective
Portion and Amount
Excluded from
Effectiveness Testing)
  Amount of
Gain  (Loss)
Recognized in
Income on
Derivative
(Ineffective
Portion and
Amount
Excluded  from
Effectiveness
Testing)
 

Foreign currency participating forwards

  $ (32   Other income (expense),
net
  $ —        Other income (expense),

net

  $ (28

Foreign currency forward contracts

  $ 8,158      Other income (expense),
net
  $ —        Other income (expense),

net

  $ 3,936   
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
  $ 8,126        $ —          $ 3,908   
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

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Note 8 — COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Aircraft Purchase Contracts — As shown in the table below, we expect to make additional capital expenditures over the next six fiscal years to purchase additional aircraft. As of March 31, 2012, we had 15 aircraft on order and options to acquire an additional 40 aircraft. Although a similar number of our existing aircraft may be sold during the same period, the additional aircraft on order will provide incremental fleet capacity in terms of revenue and operating income.

 

      Fiscal Year Ending March 31,         
      2013      2014      2015      2016 and
beyond
     Total  

Commitments as of March 31, 2012:

              

Number of aircraft:

              

Large (1)

     9         —           3         3         15   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     9         —           3         3         15   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Related expenditures (in thousands)(2)

   $ 184,655       $ 9,830       $ 46,103       $ 44,353       $ 284,941   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Options as of March 31, 2012:

              

Number of aircraft:

              

Medium

     —           5         5         2         12   

Large

     —           7         4         17         28   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     —           12         9         19         40   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Related expenditures (in thousands)(2)

   $ 119,110       $ 250,316       $ 194,691       $ 371,216       $ 935,333   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1) 

Signed client contracts are in place that will utilize seven of these aircraft. Six aircraft expected to enter service in fiscal year 2015 are subject to the successful development and certification of the aircraft.

(2) 

Includes progress payments on aircraft scheduled to be delivered in future periods.

The following chart presents an analysis of our aircraft orders and options during fiscal years 2012, 2011 and 2010:

 

      Fiscal Year Ended March 31,  
     2012     2011     2010  
     Orders     Options     Orders     Options     Orders     Options  

Beginning of fiscal year

     6        31        9        39        24        47   

Aircraft delivered (1)

     (9     —          (8     —          (26     —     

Aircraft ordered

     13        —          —          —          8        —     

Cancelled orders

     —          —          (1     —          (3     —     

New options

     —          31        —          —          —          14   

Exercised options

     7        (7     6        (6     6        (6

Reinstated options

     —          —          —          2        —          —     

Transferred options

     —          —          —          (1     —          —     

Expired options

     —          (15     —          (3     —          (16

Orders transferred (2)

     (2     —          —          —          —          —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of fiscal year

     15        40        6        31        9        39   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) 

Includes one training aircraft delivered during fiscal year 2010. There were no training aircraft delivered in fiscal years 2012 and 2011.

(2) 

On December 31, 2011, we transferred our interest in two aircraft previously ordered in return for $23.4 million in progress payments previously paid on these aircraft. See Note 4 for further details.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

Operating Leases — We have non-cancelable operating leases in connection with the lease of certain equipment, land and facilities, including leases for aircraft. Rental expense incurred under all operating leases, except for those with terms of a month or less that were not renewed, was $46.4 million, $29.2 million and $27.3 million in fiscal years 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. As of March 31, 2012, aggregate future payments under all non-cancelable operating leases that have initial or remaining terms in excess of one year, including leases for 22 aircraft, are as follows (in thousands):

 

Fiscal year ending March 31

  

2013

     43,438   

2014

     41,501   

2015

     39,864   

2016

     33,040   

2017

     27,904   

Thereafter

     68,062   
  

 

 

 
   $ 253,809   
  

 

 

 

We have initiated a new financing strategy whereby we will be using operating leases to a larger extent than in the past. As part of this operating lease strategy, in fiscal year 2012 we sold seven aircraft for $147.8 million and entered into seven separate agreements to lease back these aircraft. Additionally, in fiscal year 2012, we transferred our interest in two aircraft previously included in construction in progress within property and equipment on our consolidated balance sheet in return for $23.4 million in progress payments previously paid on these aircraft. We also signed two separate agreements to lease back these aircraft, commencing at time of delivery, which is currently anticipated to be around the second quarter of fiscal year 2013.

The new aircraft leases range from base terms of 60 to 72 months with renewal options of up to 72 months in some cases, include purchase options upon expiration and some include early purchase options. The leases contain terms customary in transactions of this type, including provisions that allow the lessor to repossess the aircraft and require us to pay a stipulated amount if we default on our obligations under the agreements. These leases are included in the amounts disclosed above. The following is a summary of the terms related to aircraft leased under operating leases with original or remaining terms in excess of one year:

 

End of Lease Term

   Number of Aircraft      Monthly Lease Payment
(in thousands)
 

Fiscal year 2013 to fiscal year 2015

     6       $ 1,010   

Fiscal year 2016 to fiscal year 2018

     7         1,200   

Fiscal year 2023

     9         350   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     22       $ 2,560   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Employee Agreements — Approximately 52% of our employees are represented by collective bargaining agreements and/or unions. These agreements generally include annual escalations of up to 12%. Periodically, certain groups of our employees who are not covered by a collective bargaining agreement consider entering into such an agreement.

During fiscal year 2012, we recognized approximately $2.3 million in compensation expense (including expenses recorded for the acceleration of unvested stock options and restricted stock) related to the separation between us and an officer. During fiscal year 2010, we recognized approximately $8.3 million in compensation expense (including expenses recorded for the acceleration of unvested stock options and restricted stock) related to work force reductions and the separation between us and five officers.

Nigerian Litigation — In November 2005, two of our consolidated foreign affiliates were named in a lawsuit filed with the High Court of Lagos State, Nigeria by Mr. Benneth Osita Onwubalili and his affiliated company, Kensit Nigeria Limited, which allegedly acted as agents of our affiliates in Nigeria. The claimants allege that an agreement between the parties was terminated without justification and seek damages of $16.3 million. We responded to this claim in early 2006. There has been minimal activity on this claim since then.

 

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Civil Class Action Lawsuit — On June 12, 2009, Superior Offshore International, Inc. v. Bristow Group Inc., et al, Case No. 1:09-cv-00438, was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware. The purported class action complaint, which also named other providers of offshore helicopter services in the Gulf of Mexico as defendants, alleged violations of Section 1 of the Sherman Act. Among other things, the complaint alleged that the defendants unlawfully conspired to raise and maintain the price of offshore helicopter services between January 1, 2001 and December 31, 2005. The plaintiff was seeking to represent a purported class of direct purchasers of offshore helicopter services and was asking for, among other things, unspecified treble monetary damages and injunctive relief. In September 2010, the court granted our and the other defendants’ motion to dismiss the case on several grounds. The plaintiff then filed a motion seeking a rehearing and seeking leave to amend its original complaint, which was partially granted to permit limited discovery. We and the other defendants again filed motions to dismiss the lawsuit, which were granted. The plaintiff has since appealed the judgment in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. We and the other defendants have filed a response, and we will continue to defend against this lawsuit vigorously. We are currently unable to determine whether it could have a material affect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

Environmental Contingencies — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, also referred to as the EPA, has in the past notified us that we are a potential responsible party, or PRP, at three former waste disposal facilities that are on the National Priorities List of contaminated sites. Under the federal Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, also known as the Superfund law, persons who are identified as PRPs may be subject to strict, joint and several liability for the costs of cleaning up environmental contamination resulting from releases of hazardous substances at National Priorities List sites. Although we have not yet obtained a formal release of liability from the EPA with respect to any of the sites, we believe that our potential liability in connection with the sites is not likely to have a material adverse affect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

Guarantees — We have guaranteed the repayment of up to £10 million ($16.0 million) of the debt of FBS, an unconsolidated affiliate, which exists as long as the contract with the British military is in place. The contract currently runs through March 2016 with two possible one year extensions. See discussion of this commitment in Note 3.

Other Matters — Although infrequent, aircraft accidents have occurred in the past, and the related losses and liability claims have been covered by insurance subject to deductible, self-insured retention and loss sensitive factors.

We are a defendant in certain claims and litigation arising out of operations in the normal course of business. In the opinion of management, uninsured losses, if any, will not be material to our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Note 9 — TAXES

The components of deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows (in thousands):

 

     March 31,  
     2012     2011  

Deferred tax assets:

    

Foreign tax credits

   $ 13,064      $ —     

Accrued pension liability

     28,621        22,248   

Maintenance and repair

     17,454        16,788   

Accrued equity compensation

     11,746        12,281   

Deferred revenues

     2,455        2,276   

Other

     9,519        22,128   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total deferred tax assets

     82,859        75,721   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Deferred tax liabilities:

    

Property and equipment

     (172,232     (187,830

Inventories

     (11,598     (17,115

Investments in unconsolidated affiliates

     (28,098     (21,632

Other

     (7,927     (9,619
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total deferred tax liabilities

     (219,855     (236,196
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net deferred tax liabilities

   $ (136,996   $ (160,475
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Companies may use foreign tax credits to offset the U.S. income taxes due on income earned from foreign sources. However, the credit that may be claimed for a particular taxable year is limited by the total income tax on the U.S. income tax return as well as by the ratio of foreign source net income in each statutory category to total net income. The amount of creditable foreign taxes available for the taxable year that exceeds the limitation (i.e.; “excess foreign tax credits”) may be carried back one year and forward ten years. As of March 31, 2011, we did not believe it was more likely than not that we would generate sufficient foreign sourced income within the appropriate period to utilize all of our excess foreign tax credits, and elected to deduct the foreign taxes in lieu of a foreign tax credit. Therefore, there was no foreign tax credit carryover into the fiscal year 2012. As a result of our expectation of increased foreign source income, as of March 31, 2012, we have elected to record foreign tax credits for both fiscal years 2012 and 2011.

The U.S. Internal Revenue Service has begun an examination of our fiscal year 2010 U.S. Federal Income Tax Return due to the filing of a carry-back of the fiscal year loss. As a result of the refund claim, tax returns for all years beginning fiscal year 2006 are under review.

The components of income before provision for income taxes for fiscal years 2012, 2011 and 2010 are as follows (in thousands):

 

     Fiscal Year Ended March 31,  
     2012     2011      2010  

Domestic

   $ (1,100   $ 439       $ 1,459   

Foreign

     80,542        139,960         141,034   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 79,442      $ 140,399       $ 142,493   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

The provision for income taxes for fiscal years 2012, 2011 and 2010 consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

     Fiscal Year Ended March 31,  
     2012     2011     2010  

Current:

      

Domestic

   $ 27      $ 38      $ (5,344

Foreign

     23,059        15,791        16,169   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     23,086        15,829        10,825   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Deferred:

      

Domestic

     1,658        (6,207     22,392   

Foreign

     (10,543     (2,518     (4,241
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     (8,885     (8,725     18,151   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Increase (decrease) in valuation allowance

     —          —          22   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   $ 14,201      $ 7,104      $ 28,998   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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The reconciliation of the U.S. Federal statutory tax rate to the effective income tax rate for the provision for income taxes is shown below:

 

     Fiscal Year Ended March 31,  
     2012     2011     2010  

Statutory rate

     35.0  %      35.0  %      35.0  % 

Net foreign tax on non-U.S. earnings

     20.4  %      10.8  %      11.3  % 

Foreign earnings indefinitely reinvested abroad

     (26.3 )%      (27.3 )%      (27.3 )% 

Effect of reduction in U.K. corporate income tax rate

     (2.3 )%      (1.1 )%      —    % 

Release of deferred tax liability on entity restructuring

     —    %      (12.6 )%      —    % 

Dividend inclusion as a result of internal realignment

     16.6  %      —    %      —    % 

Benefit of prior year foreign tax credits

     (5.3 )%      —    %      —    % 

Benefit of current year foreign tax credits

     (9.8 )%      —    %      —    % 

Tax reserve release

     (7.7 )%      —    %      —    % 

Other, net

     (2.7 )%      0.3  %      1.4  % 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Effective tax rate

     17.9  %      5.1  %      20.4  % 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Effective March 31, 2012, we completed an internal restructuring to provide more flexibility with internal cash requirements. As a result of this restructuring, we recognized tax expense of $13.2 million related to a dividend. This tax cost was partially offset by a change from a deduction of foreign taxes paid to credit for fiscal years 2012 and 2011 of $11.5 million. During February 2012, a foreign tax jurisdiction issued a favorable response to a ruling request that permitted release of a $12.6 million tax reserve.

Effective April 1, 2012 and 2011, the corporation income tax rate in the U.K. decreased from 27% to 25% for deferred tax attributes and 28% to 26% for current tax attributes, respectively. As such, the portion of our deferred tax assets and liabilities related to the U.K. were revalued based on the rate to be effective in prospective periods, resulting in tax benefits of $1.8 million and $1.5 million in our tax provision for fiscal years 2012 and 2011, respectively.

In August 2008, certain of our existing and newly created subsidiaries completed intercompany leasing transactions involving eleven aircraft. The tax benefit of this transaction is being recognized over the remaining useful life of the assets, which is approximately 13 years. During fiscal years 2012, 2011 and 2010, this transaction resulted in a $2.9 million, $2.9 million and $3.0 million, respectively, reduction in our consolidated provision for income taxes.

Effective November 1, 2010, we completed a restructuring that more closely aligns our legal structure with our global operational structure. As a result of this restructuring, which was effective November 1, 2010, most U.S. tax on offshore profits will be deferred until the profits are repatriated.

Our operations are subject to the jurisdiction of multiple tax authorities, which impose various types of taxes on us, including income, value added, sales and payroll taxes. Determination of taxes owed in any jurisdiction requires the interpretation of related tax laws, regulations, judicial decisions and administrative interpretations of the local tax authority. As a result, we are subject to tax assessments in such jurisdictions including the re-determination of taxable amounts by tax authorities that may not agree with our interpretations and positions taken. The following table summarizes the years open by jurisdiction as of March 31, 2012:

 

Jurisdiction

  

Years Open

U.S.

   Fiscal year 2006 to present

U.K.

   Fiscal year 2011 to present

Nigeria

   Fiscal year 2005 to present

The effects of a tax position are recognized in the period in which we determine that it is more-likely-than-not (defined as a more than 50% likelihood) that a tax position will be sustained upon examination, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits of the position. A tax position that meets the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold is measured as the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being recognized upon ultimate settlement.

 

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We have analyzed filing positions in the federal, state and foreign jurisdictions where we are required to file income tax returns for all open tax years. We believe that the settlement of any tax contingencies would not have a significant impact on our consolidated financial position, results of operations and/or liquidity. In fiscal years 2012, 2011 and 2010, we had a net (benefit) provision of $(10.4) million, $2.2 million and $4.1 million, respectively, of reserves for tax contingencies primarily related to non-U.S. income tax on foreign leasing operations. Our policy is to accrue interest and penalties associated with uncertain tax positions in our provision for income taxes. In fiscal years 2012, 2011 and 2010, $0.2 million, $0.7 million and $0.4 million, respectively, in interest and penalties were accrued in connection with uncertain tax positions.

As of March 31, 2012 and 2011, we had $1.5 million and $11.7 million, respectively, of unrecognized tax benefits, all of which would have an impact on our effective tax rate, if recognized.

The activity associated with our unrecognized tax benefit during fiscal years 2012 and 2011 is as follows (in thousands):

 

     Fiscal Year Ended  
   March 31,  
     2012     2011  

Unrecognized tax benefits – beginning of fiscal year

   $ 11,713      $ 8,827   

Increases for tax positions taken in prior years

     321        2,886   

Decreases for tax positions taken in prior years

     (10,511     —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Unrecognized tax benefits – end of fiscal year

   $ 1,523      $ 11,713   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Unremitted foreign earnings reinvested abroad upon which U.S. income taxes have not been provided aggregated approximately $421.5 million and $407.5 million as of March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Due to the timing and circumstances of repatriation of such earnings, if any, it is not practicable to determine the unrecognized deferred tax liability relating to such amounts. Therefore, no accrual of income tax has been made for fiscal years 2012 and 2011 related to these indefinitely reinvested earnings as there was no plan in place to repatriate any of these foreign earnings to the U.S. as of the end of the fiscal year. Withholding taxes, if any, upon repatriation would not be significant.

We receive a tax benefit that is generated by certain employee stock benefit plan transactions. This benefit is recorded directly to additional paid-in-capital on our consolidated balance sheets and does not reduce our effective income tax rate. The tax benefit for fiscal years 2012, 2011 and 2010 totaled approximately $0.4 million, $0.5 million and zero, respectively.

As of March 31, 2012, we have fully utilized our U.S. federal net operating losses that were generated in previous years. In addition, during fiscal year 2012, we recorded a deferred tax asset related to direct and indirect foreign tax credits of $6.6 million and $6.5 million for fiscal years 2012 and 2011, respectively, which will expire in fiscal years 2022 and 2021, respectively.

Income taxes paid during fiscal years 2012, 2011 and 2010 were $19.0 million, $12.8 million and $12.6 million, respectively.

Other Taxes

During fiscal year 2010, we reversed $2.0 million in accruals recorded in prior fiscal years for employee taxes and tax penalties in Australia, which was included as a reduction in direct costs ($1.1 million) and general and administrative expense ($0.9 million) in our consolidated statement of income.

 

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Note 10 — EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

Defined Contribution Plans

The Bristow Group Inc. Employee Savings and Retirement Plan (“Bristow Plan”) covers Bristow Group Inc., Bristow U.S. LLC, Bristow Panama Inc. and Bristow Alaska Inc. employees. Under the Bristow Plan, we match each participant’s contributions up to 3% of the employee’s compensation. In addition, under the Bristow Plan, we contribute an additional 3% of the employee’s compensation at the end of each calendar year.

Bristow Helicopters (a wholly owned subsidiary of Bristow Aviation) and Bristow International Aviation (Guernsey) Limited (“BIAGL”) have a defined contribution plan. This defined contribution plan replaced the defined benefit pension plans described below for future accrual.

Our contributions to our defined contribution plans were $10.7 million, $11.4 million and $10.4 million for fiscal years 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

Defined Benefit Plans

The defined benefit pension plans of Bristow Helicopters and BIAGL were replaced by the defined contribution plans described above. These plans covered all full-time employees of Bristow Aviation and BIAGL employed on or before December 31, 1997. Both plans were closed to future accrual from February 1, 2004. The defined benefits for employee members were based on the employee’s annualized average last three years’ pensionable salaries up to February 1, 2004, increasing thereafter in line with retail price inflation (prior to 2011) and consumer price inflation (from 2011 onwards), and subject to maximum increases of 5% per year over the period to retirement. Any valuation deficits are funded by contributions by Bristow Helicopters and BIAGL. Plan assets are held in separate funds administered by the plans’ trustee (the “Trustee”), which are primarily invested in equities and bonds in the U.K. For members of the two closed defined benefit pension plans, since January 2005, Bristow Helicopters contributes a maximum of 7% of a participant’s non-variable salary, and since April 2006, the maximum employer contribution into the plan has been 7.35% for pilots. Each member is required to contribute a minimum of 5% of non-variable salary for Bristow Helicopters to match the contribution. In addition, there are three defined contribution plans for staff who were not members of the original benefit plans, two of which are closed to new members.

Bristow Norway has a final salary defined benefit pension plan. Pilots may retire from age 58 and other employees from age 62 (after meeting certain criteria). Bristow Norway also participates in the standard Norwegian Avtalefestet pension (contractual pension or “AFP”) early retirement system, which is only applicable for non-pilots due to the higher retirement age. The pension benefit is a percentage of final salary in excess of a deductible. The maximum pension is available to those with 30 or more years of service as of the date of retirement. Additionally, there are associated death and disability benefits. Plan assets are held in an insurance policy with an insurance company and contributions follow Norwegian rules, which are based on an individual actuarial calculation for each plan member.

 

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The following tables provide a rollforward of the projected benefit obligation and the fair value of plan assets, set forth the defined benefit retirement plans’ funded status and provide detail of the components of net periodic pension cost calculated. The measurement date adopted is March 31. For the purposes of amortizing gains and losses, the 10% corridor approach has been adopted and assets are taken at fair market value. Any such gains or losses are amortized over the average remaining life expectancy of the plan members.

 

     Fiscal Year Ended
March 31,
 
     2012     2011  
     (In thousands)  

Change in benefit obligation:

    

Projected benefit obligation (PBO) at beginning of period

   $ 526,389      $ 478,922   

Service cost

     6,332        5,156   

Interest cost

     28,208        26,592   

Actuarial loss

     26,261        6,755   

Benefit payments and expenses

     (22,309     (20,134

Effect of exchange rate changes

     (3,248     29,098   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Projected benefit obligation (PBO) at end of period

   $ 561,633      $ 526,389   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Change in plan assets:

    

Market value of assets at beginning of period

   $ 426,744      $ 372,349   

Actual return on assets

     21,195        29,784   

Employer contributions

     26,682        21,970   

Benefit payments and expenses

     (22,309     (20,134

Effect of exchange rate changes

     (2,421     22,775   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Market value of assets at end of period

   $ 449,891      $ 426,744   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Reconciliation of funded status:

    

Accumulated benefit obligation (ABO)

   $ 534,443      $ 505,408   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Projected benefit obligation (PBO)

   $ 561,633      $ 526,389   

Fair value of assets

     (449,891     (426,744
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net recognized pension liability

   $ 111,742      $ 99,645   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss

   $ 218,210      $ 190,058   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

     Fiscal Year Ended March 31,  
     2012     2011     2010  
     (In thousands)  

Components of net periodic pension cost:

      

Service cost for benefits earned during the period

   $ 6,332      $ 5,156      $ 4,473   

Interest cost on PBO

     28,208        26,592        25,714   

Expected return on assets

     (29,639     (26,703     (20,439

Amortization of unrecognized losses

     5,386        5,212        4,618   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net periodic pension cost

   $ 10,287      $ 10,257      $ 14,366   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The amount in accumulated other comprehensive loss as of March 31, 2012 expected to be recognized as a component of net periodic pension cost in fiscal year 2013 is $4.8 million, net of tax, and represents amortization of the net actuarial losses.

 

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Actuarial assumptions used to develop the components of the U.K. plans were as follows:

 

     Fiscal Year Ended March 31,  
     2012     2011     2010  

Discount rate

     5.60     5.60     5.60

Expected long-term rate of return on assets

     7.20     7.39     7.30

Rate of compensation increase

     3.50     3.50     3.60

Actuarial assumptions used to develop the components of the Norway plan were as follows:

 

     Fiscal Year Ended March 31,  
     2012     2011     2010  

Discount rate

     4.75     4.75     4.75

Salary escalation rate

     4.50     4.50     4.50

Social Security base amount

     4.25     4.25     4.25

Expected return on plan assets

     4.75     4.75     5.80

Rate of compensation increase

     1.75     1.75     1.00

The expected rate of return assumptions have been determined following consultation with our actuarial advisors. In the case of bond investments, the rates assumed have been directly based on market redemption yields at the measurement date, and those on other asset classes represent forward-looking rates that have typically been based on other independent research by investment specialists.

Under U.K. and Guernsey legislation, it is the Trustee who is responsible for the investment strategy of the plans, although day-to-day management of the assets is delegated to a team of regulated investment fund managers. The Trustee of the Bristow Staff Pension Scheme (the “Scheme”) has the following three stated primary objectives when determining investment strategy:

 

  (i)

“funding objective” - to ensure that the Scheme is fully funded using assumptions that contain a modest margin for prudence. Where an actuarial valuation reveals a deficit, a recovery plan will be put in place which will take into account the financial covenant to the employer;

 

  (ii)

“stability objective” - to have due regard to the likely level and volatility of required contributions when setting the Scheme’s investment strategy; and

 

  (iii)

“security objective” - to ensure that the solvency position of the Scheme (as assessed on a gilt basis) is expected to improve. The Trustee will take into account the strength of the employer’s covenant when determining the expected improvement in the solvency position of the Scheme.

The types of investments are held, and the relative allocation of assets to investments is selected, in light of the liability profile of the Scheme, its cash flow requirements, the funding level and the Trustee’s stated objectives. In addition, in order to avoid an undue concentration of risk, a spread of assets is held, this diversification being within and across asset classes.

In determining the overall investment strategy for the plans, the Trustee undertakes regular asset and liability modeling (“ALM”) with the assistance of their U.K. actuary. The ALM looks at a number of different investment scenarios and projects both a range and a best estimate of likely return from each one. Based on these analyses, and following consultation with us, the Trustee determines the benchmark allocation for the plans’ assets.

 

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The market value of the plan assets as of March 31, 2012 and 2011 was allocated between asset classes as follows. Details of target allocation percentages under the Trustee’s investment strategies as of the same dates are also included.

 

     Target Allocation
as of March 31,
    Actual Allocation
as of March 31,
 

Asset Category

   2012     2011     2012     2011  

Equity securities

     58.4     59.2     59.7     61.8

Debt securities

     31.2     31.6     35.7     34.8

Property

     —       —       1.8     1.6

Other assets

     10.4     9.2     2.8     1.8
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     100.0     100.0     100.0     100.0
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The following table summarizes, by level within the fair value hierarchy, the plan assets we had as of March 31, 2012, which are valued at fair value (in thousands):

 

     Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical
Assets
(Level 1)
     Significant
Other
Observable
(Level 2)
     Significant
Unobservable
(Level 3)
     Balance as of
March  31,
2012
 

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 2,237       $ —         $ —         $ 2,237   

Equity investments - U.K.

     —           140,952         —           140,952   

Equity investments - Non-U.K.

     —           72,234         —           72,234   

Diversified growth (absolute return) funds

     —           41,071         —           41,071   

Tactical asset allocation funds

     —           10,388         —           10,388   

Government debt securities

     —           73,832         —           73,832   

Corporate debt securities

     —           63,925         —           63,925   

Insurance policies

     —           —           45,252         45,252   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total investments

   $ 2,237       $ 402,402       $ 45,252       $ 449,891   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The following table summarizes, by level within the fair value hierarchy, the plan assets we had as of March 31, 2011, which are valued at fair value (in thousands):

 

     Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical
Assets
(Level 1)
     Significant
Other
Observable
(Level 2)
     Significant
Unobservable
(Level 3)
     Balance as of
March  31,
2011
 

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 2,244       $ —         $ —         $ 2,244   

Equity investments - U.K.

     —           170,720         —           170,720   

Equity investments - Non-U.K.

     —           75,341         —           75,341   

Tactical asset allocation funds

     —           10,420         —           10,420   

Government debt securities

     —           64,280         —           64,280   

Corporate debt securities

     —           65,562         —           65,562   

Insurance policies

     —           —           38,177         38,177   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total investments

   $ 2,244       $ 386,323       $ 38,177       $ 426,744   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The investments’ fair value measurement level within the fair value hierarchy is classified in its entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the measurement.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

The following table summarizes the changes in the Level 3 plan assets for fiscal year 2012 (in thousands):

 

March 31, 2011

   $ 38,177   

Actual return on assets

     2,488   

Net purchases, sales and settlements

     5,856   

Effect of exchange rate changes

     (1,269
  

 

 

 

March 31, 2012

   $ 45,252   
  

 

 

 

Estimated future benefit payments over each of the next five fiscal years from March 31, 2012 and in aggregate for the following five fiscal years after fiscal year 2017, including life assurance premiums, are as follows (in thousands):

 

Projected Benefit Payments by the Plans for Fiscal Years Ending March 31,

   Payments  

2013

   $ 24,337   

2014

     25,528   

2015

     26,241   

2016

     27,423   

2017

     28,299   

Aggregate 2018 - 2022

     155,604   

We expect to fund these payments with our cash contributions to the plans, plan assets and earnings on plan assets. We pre-funded our contributions of £10.4 million ($16.6 million) to the main U.K. plan for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2013 in January, February and March 2012. Our contributions to the Norwegian plan and the BIAGL plan for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2013 are expected to be $9.6 million and $0.6 million, respectively.

Incentive Compensation

Incentive and Stock Option Plans — Stock–based awards are currently made under the Bristow Group Inc. 2007 Long-Term Incentive Plan (“2007 Plan”). As of March 31, 2012, a maximum of 2,400,000 shares of Common Stock are reserved, including 899,409 shares available for incentive awards under the 2007 Plan. Awards granted under the 2007 Plan may be in the form of stock options, stock appreciation rights, shares of restricted stock, other stock-based awards (payable in cash or Common Stock) or performance awards, or any combination thereof, and may be made to outside directors, employees or consultants.

In addition, we have the following incentive and stock plans which have awards outstanding as of March 31, 2012 but under which we no longer make grants:

 

   

The 2004 Stock Incentive Plan (“2004 Plan”), which provided for awards to officers and key employees in the form of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, other stock-based awards or any combination thereof. Options become exercisable at such time or times as determined at the date of grant and expire no more than ten years after the date of grant.

 

   

The 2003 Non-qualified Stock Option Plan for Non-employee Directors (“2003 Director Plan”), which provided for a maximum of 250,000 shares of Common Stock to be issued pursuant to such plan. As of the date of each annual meeting, each non-employee director who met certain attendance criteria was automatically granted an option to purchase 5,000 shares of our Common Stock. The exercise price of the options granted was equal to the fair market value of the Common Stock on the date of grant, and the options were exercisable not earlier than six months after the date of grant and expire no more than ten years after the date of grant.

 

   

The 1994 Long-Term Management Incentive Plan, as amended (“1994 Plan”), which provided for awards to officers and key employees in the form of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, deferred stock, other stock-based awards or any combination thereof. Options become exercisable at such time or times as determined at the date of grant and expire no more than ten years after the date of grant.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

In June 2011, 2010 and 2009, the Compensation Committee of our board of directors authorized the grant of stock options, time vested restricted stock and long-term performance cash awards to participating employees. Each of the stock options has a ten-year term and has an exercise price equal to the fair market value (as defined in the 2007 Plan) of the Common Stock on the grant date of $43.79, $30.16 and $32.90 per share for June 2011, 2010 and 2009 awards, respectively. The options will vest in annual installments of one-third each beginning on the first anniversary of the grant date. Restricted stock grants vest at the end of three years. Performance cash awards allow the recipient to receive from -0- to 200% of the target amount at the end of three years depending on whether the Company’s total shareholder return meets the minimum return requirements and how the Company’s total shareholder return ranks among a peer group over the performance period. The value of the performance cash awards is calculated on a quarterly basis by comparing the performance of our Common Stock including any dividends paid since the award date, against the peer group and has a maximum potential payout of $9.0 million, $7.0 million and $6.5 million for the fiscal year 2012, 2011 and 2010 awards, respectively. The total value of the awards is recognized as compensation expense over a three-year vesting period with the recognition amount being adjusted quarterly. Compensation expense related to the performance cash awards during fiscal years 2012, 2011 and 2010 was $4.1 million, $0.2 million and $1.4 million, respectively.

In 2007, we established a program to allow vesting of outstanding stock options and restricted stock grants and to waive forfeitures of outstanding performance restricted stock units upon retirement if the employee has achieved no less than five consecutive years of employment with the Company, voluntarily terminates employment after the age of 62 and enters into a noncompetition/nonsolicitation agreement in the form approved and provided by the Company. Subsequently, in 2010, we authorized an amendment to allow vesting of outstanding stock options and restricted stock grants, to continue the right to vest in performance cash awards and to waive forfeitures of outstanding performance restricted stock units upon retirement if the employee has accumulated a combined total of age and years of service with the Company of 80, voluntarily terminates employment and enters into a noncompetition/nonsolicitation agreement in the form approved and provided by the Company. This change affected 18 employees and resulted in additional compensation expense of $0.9 million for fiscal year 2010. Upon retirement, any unexercised options to purchase Common Stock and shares of restricted stock under the 1994, 2004 and 2007 Plans will automatically vest and options will remain exercisable for the remainder of the term specified in the applicable award document and any outstanding performance restricted stock units granted under the 2004 or 2007 Plans will not be forfeited solely due to termination of employment so that the right remains to receive shares of Common Stock if the applicable performance measures are achieved in accordance with the 2004 or 2007 Plans.

On August 3, 2011, we amended our director compensation scheme to allow non-employee directors to elect to receive up to 50 percent of their annual restricted stock unit award in cash. As this election was made prior to the actual award, the cash portion of the award is accounted for separate from the stock portion. The cash award is accounted for as a liability award with compensation expense being recognized for the eventual cash payout at the end of the six month terms over the six month service periods. One non-employee director made this election and we recognized expense of $0.1 million for fiscal year 2012.

Total share-based compensation expense, which includes stock options, restricted stock and restricted stock units, was $11.5 million, $12.6 million and $13.9 million for fiscal years 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Stock-based compensation expense has been allocated to our various business units.

Under our incentive and stock option plans there are 2,728,044 shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance as of March 31, 2012, of which 899,409 shares are available for future grants.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

A summary of our stock option activity for fiscal year 2012 is presented below:

 

     Weighted
Average
Exercise Prices
     Number
of Shares
    Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Life
     Aggregate
Intrinsic  Value
 
                         (In thousands)  

Outstanding at March 31, 2011

   $ 36.15         1,186,038        

Granted

     43.79         259,521        

Exercised

     33.50         (157,991     

Expired or forfeited

     37.99         (29,340     
     

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Outstanding at March 31, 2012

     38.02         1,258,228        6.98       $ 12,645   
     

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Exercisable at March 31, 2012

     38.36         789,401        6.05       $ 7,815   
     

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Stock options granted to employees under the 1994, 2004 and 2007 Plans vest ratably over three years on each anniversary from the date of grant and expire ten years from the date of grant. Stock options granted to non-employee directors under the 2003 Director Plans vest after six months.

We use a Black-Scholes option pricing model to estimate the fair value of share-based awards. The Black-Scholes option pricing model incorporates various assumptions, including the risk-free interest rate, volatility, dividend yield and the expected term of the options.

The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant for a period equal to the expected term of the option. Expected volatilities are based on the historical volatility of shares of our Common Stock, which has not been adjusted for any expectation of future volatility given uncertainty related to the future performance of our Common Stock at this time. We also use historical data to estimate the expected term of the options within the option pricing model; groups of employees that have similar historical exercise behavior are considered separately for valuation purposes. The expected term of the options represents the period of time that the options granted are expected to be outstanding. Additionally, we estimate pre-vesting option forfeitures at the time of grant and periodically revise those estimates in subsequent periods if actual pre-vesting forfeitures differ from those estimates. We record stock-based compensation expense only for those awards expected to vest using an estimated forfeiture rate based on our historical forfeiture data.

The following table shows the assumptions we used to compute the stock-based compensation expense for stock option grants issued during fiscal years 2012, 2011 and 2010.

 

     Fiscal Years Ended
March 31,
 
     2012     2011     2010  

Risk Free interest rate

     1.5     2.6     2.6

Expected life (years)

     6        7        6   

Volatility

     47.1     45.4     52.0

Dividend yield

     1.37     —          —     

Weighted average grant-date fair value of options granted

   $ 17.32      $ 15.03      $ 17.02   

Unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to nonvested stock options was approximately $3.1 million as of March 31, 2012, relating to a total of 468,827 unvested stock options under our stock option plans. We expect to recognize this stock-based compensation expense over a weighted average period of approximately 1.8 years. The total fair value of options vested during fiscal years 2012, 2011 and 2010 was approximately $3.1 million, $4.7 million and $2.9 million, respectively.

The total intrinsic value, determined as of the date of exercise, of options exercised during fiscal years 2012, 2011 and 2010 was $2.2 million, $0.4 million and $1.2 million, respectively. The total amount of cash we received from option exercises during fiscal years 2012, 2011 and 2010 was $5.3 million, $2.0 million and $2.4 million, respectively. The total tax benefit attributable to options exercised during fiscal years 2012, 2011 and 2010 was $0.5 million, $0.1 million and $0.4 million, respectively.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

The excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation for fiscal years 2012, 2011 and 2010 of $0.4 million, $0.5 million and zero, respectively, are reported on our consolidated statements of cash flows in financing activities. This represents the reduction in the provision for income taxes otherwise payable during the period attributable to the actual gross tax benefits in excess of the expected tax benefits for options exercised in current and prior periods.

We have two forms of restricted stock units that vest under different conditions. The first form is a performance restricted stock unit which fully vests on the third anniversary from the date of grant if the “Cumulative Annual Shareholder Return” as defined in the restricted stock unit agreement (“CASR”) equals or exceeds 15%, or partially vests if the CASR is less than 15% but greater than or equal to 10%. Any unvested performance restricted stock units will vest on the fourth anniversary from the date of grant under the same conditions as outline above, or on the fifth anniversary from the date of grant if the CASR equals or exceeds 3%. Any performance restricted stock units that do not vest on the fifth anniversary from the date of grant will expire.

The second form of performance restricted stock units fully vest on the third anniversary from the date of grant if the CASR equals or exceeds 3%. Any unvested performance restricted stock units will vest on the fifth anniversary date from the date of grant if the CASR equals or exceeds 3%. Any performance restricted stock units that do not vest on the fifth anniversary from the date of grant will expire.

Additionally, we have restricted stock awards that cliff vest on the third anniversary from the date of grant provided the grantee is still employed by the Company, subject to the Company’s retirement policy.

We record compensation expense for restricted stock units based on an estimate of the service period related to the awards, which is tied to the future performance of our stock over certain time periods under the terms of the award agreements. The estimated service period is reassessed quarterly. Changes in this estimate may cause the timing of expense recognized in future periods to accelerate. Compensation expense related to awards of restricted stock and restricted stock units for fiscal years 2012, 2011 and 2010 was $7.2 million, $8.0 million and $9.1 million, respectively.

The following is a summary of non-vested restricted stock and restricted stock units as of March 31, 2012 and 2011 and changes during fiscal year 2012:

 

     Units     Weighted
Average
Grant Date Fair
Value per Unit
 

Non-vested as of March 31, 2011

     713,387      $ 36.65   

Granted

     185,461        44.17   

Forfeited

     (52,945     33.52   

Vested

     (265,496     41.88   
  

 

 

   

Non-vested as of March 31, 2012

     580,407        36.95   
  

 

 

   

Unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to non-vested restricted stock and restricted stock units was approximately $6.0 million as of March 31, 2012, relating to a total of 580,407 unvested restricted stock and restricted stock units. We expect to recognize this stock-based compensation expense over a weighted average period of approximately 1.8 years.

The Annual Incentive Compensation Plan provides for an annual award of cash bonuses to key employees based primarily on pre-established objective measures of Company and subsidiary performance. The bonuses related to this plan were $9.7 million, $6.6 million and $8.2 million for fiscal years 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

Additionally, we have a non-qualified deferred compensation plan for our senior executives. Under the terms of the plan, participants can elect to defer a portion of their compensation for distribution at a later date. In addition, we have the discretion to make annual tax deferred contributions to the plan on the participants’ behalf. We contributed $0.6 million, $0.7 million and $0.7 million to this plan in each of fiscal years 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. The assets of the plan are held in a rabbi trust and are subject to our general creditors. As of March 31, 2012, the amount held in trust was $4.2 million.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

Note 11 — STOCKHOLDERS’ INVESTMENT, COMPREHENSIVE INCOME AND EARNINGS PER SHARE

Stockholders’ Investment

Preferred Stock — In September and October 2006, we issued 4,600,000 shares of 5.50% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock (“Preferred Stock”) in a public offering for net proceeds of $222.6 million. We used the net proceeds from this offering to acquire aircraft and for working capital and other general corporate purposes, including acquisitions.

Prior to conversion, annual cumulative cash dividends of $2.75 per share of Preferred Stock were payable quarterly on the fifteenth day of each March, June, September and December. On September 15, 2009 each outstanding share of Preferred Stock was converted into 1.418 shares of Common Stock. There were 4,600,000 shares of Preferred Stock outstanding on the conversion date, and we issued 6,522,800 shares of Common Stock upon conversion of such Preferred Stock.

Common Stock — The total number of authorized shares of Common Stock reserved as of March 31, 2012 was 2,728,044. These shares are reserved in connection with our stock-based compensation plans.

The following is a summary of changes in outstanding shares of Common Stock for the years ended March 31, 2012 and 2011:

 

     Shares     Weighted
Average
Price
Per Share
 

Outstanding as of March 31, 2010

     35,954,040     

Issuance of Common Stock:

    

Exercise of stock options

     44,609      $ 34.31   

Issuance of restricted stock and restricted stock units

     312,494        33.88   
  

 

 

   

Outstanding as of March 31, 2011

     36,311,143     

Issuance of Common Stock:

    

Exercise of stock options

     157,991        33.50   

Issuance of restricted stock and restricted stock units

     62,688        45.75   

Repurchases of common stock

     (526,895     47.61   

Other

     (249,610     30.74   
  

 

 

   

Outstanding as of March 31, 2012

     35,755,317     
  

 

 

   

Restrictions on Foreign Ownership of Common Stock — Under the Federal Aviation Act, it is unlawful to operate certain aircraft for hire within the U.S. unless such aircraft are registered with the Federal Aviation Administration (the “FAA”) and the FAA has issued an operating certificate to the operator. As a general rule, aircraft may be registered under the Federal Aviation Act only if the aircraft are owned or controlled by one or more citizens of the U.S. and an operating certificate may be granted only to a citizen of the U.S. For purposes of these requirements, a corporation is deemed to be a citizen of the U.S. only if, among other things, at least 75% of its voting interests are owned or controlled by U.S. citizens. If persons other than U.S. citizens should come to own or control more than 25% of our voting interest or if any other requirements are not met, we have been advised that our aircraft may be subject to deregistration under the Federal Aviation Act, and we may lose our ability to operate within the U.S. Deregistration of our aircraft for any reason, including foreign ownership in excess of permitted levels, would have a material adverse effect on our ability to conduct operations within our North America business unit. Therefore, our organizational documents currently provide for the automatic suspension of voting rights of shares of our Common Stock owned or controlled by non-U.S. citizens, and our right to redeem those shares, to the extent necessary to comply with these requirements. As of March 31, 2012, approximately 2,597,000 shares of our Common Stock were held by persons with foreign addresses. These shares represented approximately 7% of our total outstanding common shares as of March 31, 2012. Our foreign ownership may fluctuate on each trading day because our Common Stock and our 3% Convertible Senior Notes are publicly traded.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

Dividends — On May 4, August 3 and November 2, 2011, and February 1, 2012, our board of directors declared dividends of $0.15 per share of Common Stock. The dividends of $5.4 million each were paid on June 10, September 12 and December 12, 2011, and March 15, 2012, to shareholders of record on May 20, August 15 and November 18, 2011, and March 1, 2012, respectively. On May 18, 2012, our board of directors approved another dividend of $0.20 per share of Common Stock, payable on June 15, 2012 to shareholders of record on June 5, 2012. The declaration of future dividends is at the discretion of our board of directors and subject to our results of operations, financial condition, cash requirements and other factors and restrictions under applicable law and our debt instruments.

Share Repurchases — On November 2, 2011, our board of directors authorized the expenditure of up to $100 million to repurchase shares of our Common Stock 12 months from that date. The timing and method of any repurchases under the program will depend on a variety of factors, is subject to our results of operations, financial condition, cash requirements and other factors and restrictions under applicable law and our debt instruments, and may be suspended or discontinued at any time.

On December 15, 2011, we entered into an accelerated share repurchase agreement with an independent financial institution under which we paid $25.1 million to purchase 526,895 shares of our Common Stock. The effective per share purchase prices were based generally on the average of the daily volume weighted average prices per share of our Common Stock, less a discount, calculated during an averaging period which began December 20, 2011 and was finalized March 20, 2012.

We recorded the $25.1 million payment as treasury stock in our consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2012. Shares outstanding used to calculate earnings per share during fiscal year 2012 reflect the repurchase of shares when they were delivered.

Comprehensive Income

Comprehensive income during fiscal years 2012, 2011 and 2010 is as follows (in thousands):

 

      Fiscal Year Ended March 31,  
      2012     2011     2010  

Net income

   $ 65,241      $ 133,295      $ 113,495   

Other comprehensive income (loss):

      

Currency translation adjustments

     905        17,121        33,098   

Pension liability adjustment (1)

     (27,877     (1,286     (24,572

Unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges (2)

     (2,150     2,150        8,126   

Previously classified change of interest gain –
Bristow Norway
(3)

     —          —          (12,300
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total comprehensive income

   $ 36,119      $ 151,280      $ 117,847   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) 

Net of tax provision (benefit) of $3.4 million, $1.2 million and ($13.2) million for fiscal years 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

(2) 

Net of tax provision (benefit) of $(1.5) million, $2.4 million and $4.4 million for fiscal years 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

(3) 

As of March 31, 2010 we corrected our prior accounting for the acquisition of an additional 51% interest in Bristow Norway, which resulted in certain changes including reclassification of the change of interest gain from other comprehensive income (loss) to additional paid-in-capital.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

     Fiscal Year Ended March 31,  
     2012      2011      2010  

Options:

        

Outstanding

     267,669         248,821         191,867   

Weighted average exercise price

   $ 30.16       $ 32.94       $ 50.41   

Restricted stock units:

        

Outstanding

     80,978         84,898         238,917   

Weighted average price

   $ 46.82       $ 46.8       $ 39.87   

Restricted stock awards:

        

Outstanding

     —           8         734   

Weighted average price

   $ —         $ 44.79       $ 20.22   

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share:

 

      Fiscal Year Ended March 31,  
      2012      2011      2010  

Earnings (in thousands):

        

Income available to common stockholders – basic

   $ 63,530       $ 132,315       $ 105,689   

Preferred Stock dividends

     —           —           6,325   

Interest expense on assumed conversion of 3% Convertible Senior Notes, net of tax (1)

     —           —           —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income available to common stockholders – diluted

   $ 63,530       $ 132,315       $ 112,014   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Shares:

        

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding – basic

     36,068,884         36,009,882         32,728,593   

Assumed conversion of Preferred Stock outstanding during the period (2)

     —           —           2,984,404   

Assumed conversion of 3% Convertible Senior Notes outstanding during the period (1)

     —           —           —     

Net effect of dilutive stock options, restricted stock units and restricted stock awards based on the treasury stock method

     698,537         721,392         406,079   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding – diluted

     36,767,421         36,731,274         36,119,076   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Basic earnings per common share

   $ 1.76       $ 3.67       $ 3.23   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Diluted earnings per common share

   $ 1.73       $ 3.60       $ 3.10   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1)

Diluted earnings per common share for fiscal years 2012, 2011 and 2010 excludes approximately 1.5 million potentially dilutive shares initially issuable upon the conversion of our 3% Convertible Senior Notes. The 3% Convertible Senior Notes will be convertible, under certain circumstances, using a net share settlement process, into a combination of cash and our Common Stock. As of March 31, 2012, the base conversion price of the notes was approximately $76.56, based on the base conversion rate of 13.0609 shares of Common Stock per $1,000 principal amount of convertible notes (subject to adjustment in certain circumstances, including the payment of dividends). In general, upon conversion of a note, the holder will receive cash equal to the principal amount of the note and Common Stock to the extent of the note’s conversion value in excess of such principal amount. In addition, if at the time of conversion the applicable price of our Common Stock exceeds the base conversion price, holders will receive up to an additional 8.4049 shares of our Common Stock per $1,000 principal amount of notes, as determined pursuant to a specified formula. Such shares did not impact our calculation of diluted earnings per share for fiscal years 2012, 2011 and 2010 as our stock price did not meet or exceed the base conversion price. See Note 5 for further details.

(2)

Diluted earnings per common share included weighted average shares resulting from the assumed conversion of our Preferred Stock at the conversion rate that results in the most dilution: 1.4180 shares of Common Stock for each share of Preferred Stock. On September 15, 2009, we converted our Preferred Stock into 6,522,800 shares of Common Stock at this conversion rate as previously discussed.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

Note 12 — SEGMENT INFORMATION

We conduct our business in one segment: Helicopter Services. The Helicopter Services segment operations are conducted primarily through five business units: Europe, West Africa, North America, Australia, and Other International. Additionally, we also operate a training business unit, Bristow Academy, and provide technical services to clients in the U.S. and U.K.

The following shows business unit information for fiscal years 2012, 2011 and 2010, and as of March 31, 2012 and 2011, reconciled to consolidated totals, and prepared on the same basis as our consolidated financial statements (in thousands):

 

      Fiscal Year Ended March 31,  
      2012     2011     2010  

Segment gross revenue from external clients:

      

Europe

   $ 559,306      $ 475,726      $ 451,410   

West Africa

     258,258        226,175        219,212   

North America

     176,797        193,370        189,468   

Australia

     162,727        158,845        130,698   

Other International

     145,593        148,239        135,297   

Corporate and other

     39,122        30,453        41,671   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total segment gross revenue

   $ 1,341,803      $ 1,232,808      $ 1,167,756   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Intrasegment gross revenue:

      

Europe

   $ 391      $ 729      $ 1,588   

North America

     1,020        475        262   

Australia

     462        275        —     

Other International

     —          —          129   

Corporate and other

     (133     2,764        2,144   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total intrasegment gross revenue

   $ 1,740      $ 4,243      $ 4,123   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Consolidated gross revenue reconciliation:

      

Europe

   $ 559,697      $ 476,455      $ 452,998   

West Africa

     258,258        226,175        219,212   

North America

     177,817        193,845        189,730   

Australia

     163,189        159,120        130,698   

Other International

     145,593        148,239        135,426   

Corporate and other

     38,989        33,217        43,815   

Intrasegment eliminations

     (1,740     (4,243     (4,123
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total consolidated gross revenue

   $ 1,341,803      $ 1,232,808      $ 1,167,756   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Earnings from unconsolidated affiliates, net of losses – equity method investments:

      

Europe

   $ 11,627      $ 10,162      $ 8,826   

Other International

     (956     10,056        3,026   

Corporate and other

     8        (117     —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total earnings from unconsolidated affiliates, net of losses – equity method investments

   $ 10,679      $ 20,101      $ 11,852   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

      Fiscal Year Ended March 31,  
     2012     2011     2010  

Consolidated operating income (loss) reconciliation:

      

Europe

   $ 94,277      $ 89,320      $ 77,053   

West Africa

     63,768        62,051        62,410   

North America

     8,378        14,527        11,655   

Australia

     19,840        30,497        30,374   

Other International

     36,343        42,038        25,972   

Corporate and other

     (75,170     (57,387     (45,272

Gain (loss) on disposal of assets

     (31,670     8,678        18,665   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total consolidated operating income

   $ 115,766      $ 189,724      $ 180,857   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Capital expenditures:

      

Europe

   $ 66,016      $ 17,185      $ 81,674   

West Africa

     13,375        1,541        19,553   

North America

     53,367        19,755        38,149   

Australia

     2,421        33,253        46,141   

Other International

     48,498        5,000        14,679   

Corporate and other

     142,743        68,784        106,727   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total capital expenditures (1)

   $ 326,420      $ 145,518      $ 306,923   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization:

      

Europe

   $ 34,345      $ 27,361      $ 23,338   

West Africa

     12,805        11,155        9,595   

North America

     16,243        16,803        16,433   

Australia

     11,352        11,337        8,423   

Other International

     16,660        13,997        13,414   

Corporate and other

     4,739        8,724        3,481   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total depreciation and amortization

   $ 96,144      $ 89,377      $ 74,684   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

     March 31,  
     2012      2011  

Identifiable assets:

     

Europe

   $ 779,160       $ 856,448   

West Africa

     376,903         354,154   

North America

     276,074         302,081   

Australia

     295,895         288,036   

Other International

     602,174         602,243   

Corporate and other

     410,157         272,392   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total identifiable assets (2)

   $ 2,740,363       $ 2,675,354   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Investments in unconsolidated affiliates – equity method investments:

     

Europe

   $ 11,410       $ 11,508   

Other International

     184,922         190,736   

Corporate and other

     2,378         —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total investments in unconsolidated affiliates – equity method investments

   $ 198,710       $ 202,244   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1)

Includes $111.9 million, $64.9 million and $97.6 million of construction in progress payments that were not allocated to business units in fiscal years 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

(2)

Includes $126.6 million and $112.4 million on construction in progress within property and equipment on our consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, which primarily represents progress payments on aircraft to be delivered in future periods.

We attribute revenue to various countries based on the location where helicopter services are actually performed. Long-lived assets consist primarily of helicopters and are attributed to various countries based on the physical location of the asset at a given fiscal year-end. Entity-wide information by geographic area is as follows (in thousands):

 

      Fiscal Year Ended March 31,  
     2012      2011      2010  

Gross revenue:

        

United Kingdom

   $ 345,405       $ 303,893       $ 305,388   

Nigeria

     258,258         226,175         219,212   

United States

     208,931         216,281         217,538   

Norway

     200,926         162,006         143,351   

Australia

     162,727         158,845         130,698   

Trinidad

     39,478         29,489         26,337   

Malaysia

     26,416         15,273         14,992   

Mexico

     9,071         34,548         41,652   

Other countries

     90,591         86,298         68,588   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 1,341,803       $ 1,232,808       $ 1,167,756   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

     March 31,  
     2012      2011  

Long-lived assets:

     

United Kingdom

   $ 391,540       $ 458,326   

Nigeria

     240,323         245,940   

Australia

     235,261         211,439   

Norway

     193,962         196,881   

United States

     174,355         208,315   

Malaysia

     106,217         80,553   

Brazil

     94,052         77,176   

Trinidad

     53,904         33,581   

Mexico

     37,576         63,189   

Other countries

     69,031         80,047   

Construction in progress attributable to aircraft (1)

     126,554         112,435   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 1,722,775       $ 1,767,882   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1)

These costs have been disclosed separately as the physical location where the aircraft will ultimately be operated is subject to change.

During fiscal year 2012, we conducted operations in over 20 countries. Due to the nature of our principal assets, aircraft are regularly and routinely moved between operating areas (both domestic and foreign) to meet changes in market and operating conditions. During fiscal years 2012, 2011 and 2010, the aggregate activities of one major integrated oil and gas company client accounted for 4%, 8% and 10%, respectively, of consolidated gross revenue. Also, during fiscal years 2012, 2011 and 2010 another client accounted for 12%, 11% and 12%, respectively, of our consolidated gross revenue. No other client accounted for 10% or more of our consolidated gross revenue during those periods. During fiscal year 2012, our top ten clients accounted for 54.4% of consolidated gross revenue.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

Note 13 — QUARTERLY FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Unaudited)

 

     Fiscal Quarter Ended  
     June 30      September 30  (1)      December 31  (2)      March 31  (3)(4)  
     (In thousands, except per share amounts)  

Fiscal Year 2012

           

Gross revenue

   $ 321,105       $ 330,992       $ 331,335       $ 358,371   

Operating income (5)

     36,405         9,595         43,553         26,213   

Net income attributable to Bristow Group (5)

     21,045         2,711         25,532         14,242   

Earnings per share:

           

Basic

   $ 0.58       $ 0.07       $ 0.71       $ 0.40   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Diluted

   $ 0.57       $ 0.07       $ 0.70       $ 0.39   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Fiscal Year 2011

           

Gross revenue

   $ 292,238       $ 312,559       $ 317,869       $ 310,142   

Operating income (5)

     39,679         53,559         46,639         49,847   

Net income attributable to Bristow Group (5)

     20,908         38,848         42,314         31,225   

Earnings per share:

           

Basic

   $ 0.58       $ 1.07       $ 1.15       $ 0.85   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Diluted

   $ 0.57       $ 1.06       $ 1.13       $ 0.84   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1)

Operating income, net income and diluted earnings per share for the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2011 included: (a) a decrease of $24.6 million, $17.6 million and $0.48, respectively, due to the write-down of inventory spare parts to lower of cost or market value as management made the determination to operate certain types of aircraft for a shorter period than originally anticipated; and (b) a decrease of $2.7 million, $1.7 million and $0.05, respectively, for an impairment charge recorded in depreciation and amortization resulting from the abandonment of certain assets located in Creole, Louisiana and used in our North America business unit, as we ceased operations from that location.

(2)

Net income and diluted earnings per share for the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2010 included: (a) an increase of $16.6 million and $0.45, respectively, due to a reduction in tax expense related to adjustments to deferred tax liabilities that were no longer required as a result of a global restructuring; and (b) a decrease of $4.0 million and $0.11, respectively, from the early retirement of the 6 1/8% Senior Notes resulting in a $2.3 million early redemption premium (included in other income (expense), net) and the write-off of $2.4 million of unamortized debt issuance costs (included in interest expense). Operating income, net income, and diluted earnings per share included an increase of $3.5 million, $2.9 million and $0.08, respectively, from reduced maintenance expense associated with a credit resulting from the renegotiation of a “power-by-the-hour” contract for aircraft maintenance with a third-party provider.

(3)

Operating income, net income and diluted earnings per share for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2012 included: (a) an increase of $2.0 million, $1.3 million and $0.04, respectively, from dividend income received from an unconsolidated affiliate; (b) a decrease of $2.1 million, $1.4 million and $0.04, respectively, for direct costs recorded related to the sale of AS332L large aircraft; (c) a decrease of $1.3 million, $0.9 million and $0.03, respectively, due to the write-down of inventory spare parts to lower of cost or market value as management made the determination to operate certain types of aircraft for a shorter period than originally anticipated; and (d) a decrease of $2.7 million, $2.7 million and $0.07, respectively, for an impairment included in depreciation expenses of two medium aircraft which management intends to sell prior to the previously estimated useful life of the aircraft. Also, net income and diluted earnings per share for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2012 included a decrease of $0.8 million and $0.02, respectively, related to certain tax items.

(4) 

Operating income, net income and diluted earnings per share for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2011 included: (a) an increase of $2.5 million, $1.6 million and $0.04, respectively, from dividend income received from an unconsolidated affiliate; and (b) a decrease of $5.3 million, $3.4 million and $0.09, respectively, related to an increase in depreciation expense for an impairment of previously capitalized internal software costs as the related project was abandoned. Additionally, net income and diluted earnings per share for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2011 included a decrease resulting from an impairment of our investment in Heliservicio recorded as a reduction in other income (expense), net of $1.6 million and $0.04, respectively.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

(5)

The fiscal quarters ended June 30, September 30 and December 31, 2011, and March 31, 2012 included $1.4 million, $(1.6) million, $(2.9) million and $(28.6) million, respectively in gains (losses) on disposal of assets included in operating income which also increased (decreased) net income by $1.1 million, $(1.3) million, $(2.3) million and $(24.5) million, respectively, and diluted earnings per share by $0.03, $(0.03), $(0.06) and $(0.67), respectively. The fiscal quarters ended June 30, September 30 and December 31, 2010, and March 31, 2011 included $1.7 million, $1.9 million, zero and $5.1 million, respectively, in gains (losses) on disposal of assets included in operating income which also increased net income by $1.2 million, $1.7 million, zero and $4.2 million, respectively, and diluted earnings per share by $0.03, $0.05, zero and $0.11, respectively.

Note 14 — SUPPLEMENTAL CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL INFORMATION

In connection with the sale of the 7  1/2% Senior Notes, the 6  1/8% Senior Notes, which we redeemed on December 23, 2010, and the 3% Convertible Senior Notes, the Guarantor Subsidiaries fully, unconditionally, jointly and severally guaranteed the payment obligations under these notes. The following supplemental financial information sets forth, on a consolidating basis, the balance sheets, statements of income and statements of cash flows for Bristow Group Inc. (“Parent Company Only”), for the Guarantor Subsidiaries and for our other subsidiaries (the “Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries”). We have not presented separate financial statements and other disclosures concerning the Guarantor Subsidiaries because management has determined that such information is not material to investors.

The supplemental condensed consolidating financial information has been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations for condensed financial information and does not include all disclosures included in annual financial statements, although we believe that the disclosures made are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. The principal eliminating entries eliminate investments in subsidiaries, intercompany balances and intercompany revenue and expense.

The allocation of the consolidated income tax provision was made using the with and without allocation method.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Statement of Income

Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2012

 

     Parent
Company
Only
    Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Eliminations     Consolidated  
     (In thousands)        

Revenue:

          

Gross revenue

   $ —        $ 258,525      $ 1,083,278      $ —        $ 1,341,803   

Intercompany revenue

     4,981        59,708        —          (64,689     —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     4,981        318,233        1,083,278        (64,689     1,341,803   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating expense:

          

Direct cost and reimbursable expense

     —          184,258        763,392        —          947,650   

Intercompany expenses

     —          —          64,689        (64,689     —     

Impairment of inventories

     —          9,212        16,707        —          25,919   

Depreciation and amortization

     3,687        36,185        56,272        —          96,144   

General and administrative

     39,747        20,595        74,991        —          135,333   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     43,434        250,250        976,051        (64,689     1,205,046   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gain (loss) on disposal of assets

     (6     1,705        (33,369     —          (31,670

Earnings from unconsolidated affiliates, net of losses

     43,626        —          8,679        (41,626     10,679   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income

     5,167        69,688        82,537        (41,626     115,766   

Interest income

     96,792        200        517        (96,949     560   

Interest expense

     (37,856     —          (97,223     96,949        (38,130

Other income (expense), net

     25        100        1,121        —          1,246   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before provision for income taxes

     64,128        69,988        (13,048     (41,626     79,442   

Allocation of consolidated income taxes

     (533     (7,887     (5,781     —          (14,201
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

     63,595        62,101        (18,829     (41,626     65,241   

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests

     (65     —          (1,646     —          (1,711
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income attributable to Bristow Group

   $ 63,530      $ 62,101      $ (20,475   $ (41,626   $ 63,530   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet

As of March 31, 2012

 

     Parent
Company
Only
    Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Eliminations     Consolidated  
     (In thousands)        

Current assets:

          

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 76,609      $ 3,155      $ 181,786      $ —        $ 261,550   

Accounts receivable

     12,884        97,732        246,297        (70,693     286,220   

Inventories

     —          57,957        99,868        —          157,825   

Assets held for sale

     —          1,400        17,310        —          18,710   

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     1,512        2,220        27,394        (18,958     12,168   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current assets

     91,005        162,464        572,655        (89,651     736,473   

Intercompany investment

     1,031,041        111,434        —          (1,142,475     —     

Investment in unconsolidated affiliates

     2,378        150        202,572        —          205,100   

Intercompany notes receivable

     1,266,714        —          (13,792     (1,252,922     —     

Property and equipment - at cost:

          

Land and buildings

     801        48,855        31,179        —          80,835   

Aircraft and equipment

     13,969        880,643        1,205,030        —          2,099,642   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     14,770        929,498        1,236,209        —          2,180,477   

Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization

     (6,705     (186,876     (264,121     —          (457,702
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     8,065        742,622        972,088        —          1,722,775   

Goodwill

     —          4,755        24,889        —          29,644   

Other assets

     111,442        2,416        166,829        (234,316     46,371   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 2,510,645      $ 1,023,841      $ 1,925,241      $ (2,719,364   $ 2,740,363   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ INVESTMENT

 

Current liabilities:

           

Accounts payable

   $ 3,130      $ 26,384      $ 93,914       $ (67,344   $ 56,084   

Accrued liabilities

     11,506        20,987        102,006         (20,823     113,676   

Deferred taxes

     (1,571     (128     16,769         —          15,070   

Short-term borrowings and current maturities of long-term debt

     14,375        —          —           —          14,375   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     27,440        47,243        212,689         (88,167     199,205   

Long-term debt, less current maturities

     742,870        —          —           —          742,870   

Intercompany notes payable

     —          296,335        1,057,622         (1,353,957     —     

Accrued pension liabilities

     —          —          111,742         —          111,742   

Other liabilities and deferred credits

     6,738        8,754        161,168         (159,892     16,768   

Deferred taxes

     121,385        8,903        17,666         —          147,954   

Stockholders’ investment:

           

Common stock

     363        4,996        22,828         (27,824     363   

Additional paid-in-capital

     703,628        9,290        249,367         (258,657     703,628   

Retained earnings

     993,435        648,320        30,335         (678,655     993,435   

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

     (61,706     —          54,679         (152,212     (159,239

Treasury shares

     (25,085     —          —           —          (25,085
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Bristow Group Inc. stockholders’ investment

     1,610,635        662,606        357,209         (1,117,348     1,513,102   

Noncontrolling interests

     1,577        —          7,145         —          8,722   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total stockholders’ investment

     1,612,212        662,606        364,354         (1,117,348     1,521,824   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ investment

   $ 2,510,645      $ 1,023,841      $ 1,925,241       $ (2,719,364   $ 2,740,363   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows

Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2012

 

     Parent
Company
Only
    Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Eliminations      Consolidated  
     (In thousands)  

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

   $ (31,226   $ 91,773      $ 170,800      $ —         $ 231,347   

Cash flows from investing activities:

           

Capital expenditures

     (2,710     (230,858     (92,852     —           (326,420

Deposits on assets held for sale

     —          —          200        —           200   

Proceeds from asset dispositions

     —          173,603        66,240        —           239,843   

Investment in unconsolidated affiliates

     (2,378     —          —          —           (2,378
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

     (5,088     (57,255     (26,412     —           (88,755
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

           

Proceeds from borrowings

     159,300        —          693        —           159,993   

Debt issuance costs

     (871     —          —          —           (871

Repayment of debt and debt redemption premiums

     (95,290     —          (18,129     —           (113,419

Increases (decreases) in cash related to intercompany advances and debt

     15,429        (11,407     (4,022     —           —     

Dividends paid

     29,781        (24,927     (26,470     —           (21,616

Partial prepayment of put/call obligation

     (63     —          —          —           (63

Acquisition of noncontrolling interest

     —          (262     —          —           (262

Repurchase of Common Stock

     (25,085     —          —          —           (25,085

Issuance of Common Stock

     5,293        —          —          —           5,293   

Tax benefit related to exercise of stock options

     354        —          —          —           354   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

     88,848        (36,596     (47,928     —           4,324   

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

     —          —          (1,727     —           (1,727
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

     52,534        (2,078     94,733        —           145,189   

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     24,075        5,233        87,053        —           116,361   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 76,609      $ 3,155      $ 181,786      $ —         $ 261,550   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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BRISTOW GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Statement of Income

Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2011

 

     Parent
Company
Only
    Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Eliminations     Consolidated  
     (In thousands)        

Revenue:

          

Gross revenue

   $ —        $ 284,866      $ 947,942      $ —        $ 1,232,808   

Intercompany revenue

     1,360        46,200        —          (47,560     —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     1,360        331,066        947,942        (47,560     1,232,808   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating expense:

          

Direct cost and reimbursable expense

     (1,934     199,867        664,408        —          862,341   

Intercompany expenses

     —          —          47,560        (47,560     —     

Depreciation and amortization

     7,654        31,974        49,749        —          89,377   

General and administrative

     34,389        21,896        63,860        —          120,145   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     40,109        253,737        825,577        (47,560     1,071,863   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gain on disposal of assets

     —          7,350        1,328        —          8,678   

Earnings from unconsolidated affiliates, net of losses

     125,770        —          18,433        (124,102     20,101   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income

     87,021        84,679        142,126        (124,102     189,724   

Interest income

     83,488        611        795        (83,802     1,092   

Interest expense

     (45,123     (136     (84,730     83,802        (46,187

Other income (expense), net

     (4,839     146        463        —          (4,230
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations before provision for income taxes

     120,547        85,300        58,654        (124,102     140,399   

Allocation of consolidated income taxes

     11,827        (9,846     (9,085     —          (7,104
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

     132,374        75,454        49,569        (124,102     133,295   

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests

     (59     —          (921     —          (980
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income attributable to Bristow Group

   $ 132,315      $ 75,454      $ 48,648      $ (124,102   $ 132,315   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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BRISTOW GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet

As of March 31, 2011

 

     Parent
Company
Only
    Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Eliminations     Consolidated  
     (In thousands)        

Current assets:

          

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 24,075      $ 5,233      $ 87,053      $ —        $ 116,361   

Accounts receivable

     19,283        77,690        203,286        (37,740     262,519   

Inventories

     —          85,937        110,270        —          196,207   

Assets held for sale

     —          1,488        30,068        —          31,556   

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     438        9,017        32,646        (19,983     22,118   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current assets

     43,796        179,365        463,323        (57,723     628,761   

Intercompany investment

     1,249,822        111,435        —          (1,361,257     —     

Investment in unconsolidated affiliates

     —          150        208,484        —          208,634   

Intercompany notes receivable

     978,221        —          (7,342     (970,879     —     

Property and equipment - at cost:

          

Land and buildings

     210        53,448        44,396        —          98,054   

Aircraft and equipment

     11,901        810,758        1,293,600        —          2,116,259   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     12,111        864,206        1,337,996        —          2,214,313   

Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization

     (3,424     (165,212     (277,795     —          (446,431
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     8,687        698,994        1,060,201        —          1,767,882   

Goodwill

     —          4,755        27,292        —          32,047   

Other assets

     124,770        4,477        179,936        (271,153     38,030   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 2,405,296      $ 999,176      $ 1,931,894      $ (2,661,012   $ 2,675,354   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ INVESTMENT

 

Current liabilities:

           

Accounts payable

   $ 1,569      $ 15,097      $ 57,734       $ (17,428   $ 56,972   

Accrued liabilities

     17,513        22,903        81,885         (20,384     101,917   

Deferred taxes

     1,336        (81     10,921         —          12,176   

Short-term borrowings and current maturities of long-term debt

     5,000        —          3,979         —          8,979   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     25,418        37,919        154,519         (37,812     180,044   

Long-term debt, less current maturities

     674,629        —          23,853         —          698,482   

Intercompany notes payable

     —          318,190        772,420         (1,090,610     —     

Accrued pension liabilities

     —          —          99,645         —          99,645   

Other liabilities and deferred credits

     5,862        8,251        187,202         (171,206     30,109   

Deferred taxes

     119,297        9,122        19,880         —          148,299   

Stockholders’ investment:

           

Common stock

     363        4,996        22,852         (27,848     363   

Additional paid-in-capital

     689,795        9,552        470,883         (480,435     689,795   

Retained earnings

     951,660        611,146        77,281         (688,427     951,660   

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

     (63,186     —          97,743         (164,674     (130,117
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Bristow Group Inc. stockholders’ investment

     1,578,632        625,694        668,759         (1,361,384     1,511,701   

Noncontrolling interests

     1,458        —          5,616         —          7,074   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total stockholders’ investment

     1,580,090        625,694        674,375         (1,361,384     1,518,775   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ investment

   $ 2,405,296      $ 999,176      $ 1,931,894       $ (2,661,012   $ 2,675,354   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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BRISTOW GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows

Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2011

 

     Parent
Company
Only
    Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Eliminations      Consolidated  
     (In thousands)  

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

   $ (66,266   $ 112,225      $ 105,396      $ —         $ 151,355   

Cash flows from investing activities:

           

Capital expenditures

     (3,826     (83,347     (58,345     —           (145,518

Deposits on assets held for sale

     —          4,021        —          —           4,021   

Proceeds from sale of joint ventures

     —          —          1,291        —           1,291   

Proceeds from asset dispositions

     —          11,280        16,084        —           27,364   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

     (3,826     (68,046     (40,970     —           (112,842
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

           

Proceeds from borrowings

     243,000        8,050        1,963        —           253,013   

Debt issuance costs

     (3,339     —          —          —           (3,339

Repayment of debt and debt redemption premiums

     (230,000     (9,239     (26,866     —           (266,105

Dividends paid

     21,535        (11,500     (10,035     —           —     

Distributions to noncontrolling interest owners

     —          —          (638     —           (638

Increases (decreases) in cash related to intercompany advances and debt

     43,436        (28,091     (15,345     —           —     

Partial prepayment of put/call obligation

     (59     —          —          —           (59

Acquisition of noncontrolling interest

     —          —          (800     —           (800

Issuance of Common Stock

     1,953        —          —          —           1,953   

Tax benefit related to stock-based compensation

     512        —          —          —           512   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

     77,038        (40,780     (51,721     —           (15,463

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

     574        —          14,944        —           15,518   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

     7,520        3,399        27,649        —           38,568   

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     16,555        1,834        59,404        —           77,793   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 24,075      $ 5,233      $ 87,053      $ —         $ 116,361   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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BRISTOW GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Statement of Income

Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2010

 

      Parent
Company
Only
    Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Eliminations     Consolidated  
     (In thousands)        

Revenue:

          

Gross revenue

   $ 505      $ 277,204      $ 890,047      $ —        $ 1,167,756   

Intercompany revenue

     —          34,130        9,671        (43,801     —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     505        311,334        899,718        (43,801     1,167,756   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating expense:

          

Direct cost and reimbursable expense

     (987     181,267        642,751        —          823,031   

Intercompany expenses

     30        9,882        33,889        (43,801     —     

Depreciation and amortization

     1,209        29,072        44,403        —          74,684   

General and administrative

     34,695        20,928        64,078        —          119,701   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     34,947        241,149        785,121        (43,801     1,017,416   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gain on disposal of assets

     —          6,059        12,606        —          18,665   

Earnings from unconsolidated affiliates, net of losses

     120,761        —          13,978        (122,887     11,852   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income

     86,319        76,244        141,181        (122,887     180,857   

Interest income

     75,383        57        867        (75,295     1,012   

Interest expense

     (42,747     39        (74,999     75,295        (42,412

Other income (expense), net

     1,055        (529     2,510        —          3,036   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations before provision for income taxes

     120,010        75,811        69,559        (122,887     142,493   

Allocation of consolidated income taxes

     (7,466     (9,921     (11,611     —          (28,998
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

     112,544        65,890        57,948        (122,887     113,495   

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests

     (530     —          (951     —          (1,481
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income attributable to Bristow Group

   $ 112,014      $ 65,890      $ 56,997      $ (122,887   $ 112,014   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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BRISTOW GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows

Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2010

 

     Parent
Company
Only
    Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Eliminations      Consolidated  
                 (In thousands)               

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

   $ (53,903   $ 67,224      $ 182,038      $ —         $ 195,359   

Cash flows from investing activities:

           

Capital expenditures

     (6,198     (138,108     (162,617     —           (306,923

Proceeds from asset dispositions

     —          60,588        18,142        —           78,730   

Investment in unconsolidated affiliate

     (4,579     —          (178,961     —           (183,540
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

     (10,777     (77,520     (323,436     —           (411,733
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

           

Repayment of debt and debt redemption premiums

     (2,301     —          (8,924     —           (11,225

Increases (decreases) in cash related to intercompany advances and debt

     (170,737     14,306        156,431        —           —     

Dividends paid

     30,389        —          (30,389     —           —     

Partial prepayment of put/call obligation

     (76     —          —          —           (76

Acquisition of noncontrolling interest

     —          (7,621     —          —           (7,621

Preferred Stock dividends paid

     (6,325     —          —          —           (6,325

Issuance of Common Stock

     3,594        —          —          —           3,594   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

     (145,456     6,685        117,118        —           (21,653

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

     —          —          14,851        —           14,851   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

     (210,136     (3,611     (9,429     —           (223,176

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     226,691        5,445        68,833        —           300,969   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 16,555      $ 1,834      $ 59,404      $ —         $ 77,793   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents
Item 9. Changes In and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

None.

 

Item 9A. Controls and Procedures

EVALUATION OF DISCLOSURE CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

We carried out an evaluation under the supervision of and with the participation of our management, including William E. Chiles, our Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”), and Jonathan E. Baliff, our Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), of the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Exchange Act) as of March 31, 2012. Based on that evaluation, our CEO and CFO concluded that such disclosure controls and procedures were effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our periodic reports filed under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified by the SEC’s rules and forms and such information is accumulated and communicated to our management as appropriate to allow for timely decisions regarding required disclosure under the Exchange Act.

MANAGEMENT’S REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over our financial reporting, as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f). The Company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions or because the degree of compliance with policies or procedures may deteriorate.

Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our CEO and CFO, we conducted an assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2012. The assessment was based on criteria established in the framework Internal Control – Integrated Framework, issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on this assessment, management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of March 31, 2012.

The effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2012 has been audited by KPMG LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in its report included herein.

MATERIAL CHANGES IN INTERNAL CONTROL

There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended March 31, 2012 that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect our internal control over financial reporting.

 

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors and Stockholders

Bristow Group Inc.:

We have audited Bristow Group Inc.’s (“the Company”) internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2012, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

In our opinion, the Bristow Group Inc. maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2012, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of Bristow Group Inc. and subsidiaries as of March 31, 2012 and 2011, and the related consolidated statements of income, stockholders’ investment, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended March 31, 2012, and our report dated May 23, 2012 expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.

/s/ KPMG LLP

Houston, Texas

May 23, 2012

 

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Item 9B. Other Information

None.

PART III

 

Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

The information called for by this item will be contained in our definitive proxy statement to be distributed in connection with our fiscal year 2012 annual meeting of stockholders under the captions “Corporate Governance,” “Committees of the Board of Directors,” and “Executive Officers of the Registrant” and is incorporated into this document by reference.

Code of Ethics

We have adopted a code of business conduct and ethics applicable to our directors, officers (including our principal executive officer, principal financial officer and chief accounting officer) and employees, known as the Code of Business Integrity. The Code of Business Integrity is available on our website at http://www.bristowgroup.com under “About Us” and “Values” caption. In the event that we amend or waive any of the provisions of the Code of Business Integrity with respect to our senior officers, we intend to disclose the amendment or waiver on our website.

 

Item 11. Executive Compensation

The information called for by this item will be contained in our definitive proxy statement to be distributed in connection with our fiscal year 2012 annual meeting of stockholders under the caption “Director and Executive Officer Compensation” and, except as specified in the following sentence, is incorporated into this document by reference. Information in our fiscal year 2012 proxy statement not deemed to be “soliciting material” or “filed” with the SEC under its rules, including the Report of the Compensation Committee on Executive Compensation and the Report of the Audit Committee is not and shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into this report.

 

Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

The information called for by this item will be contained in our definitive proxy statement to be distributed in connection with our fiscal year 2012 annual meeting of stockholders under the caption “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management” and is incorporated into this document by reference.

 

Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

The information required by Item 13 appears in Items 11 and 12 of this report.

 

Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services

The information called for by this item will be contained in our definitive proxy statement to be distributed in connection with our fiscal year 2012 annual meeting of stockholders under the caption “Relationship with Independent Public Accountants” and is incorporated into this document by reference.

 

118


Table of Contents

PART IV

 

Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules

 

(a) (1)

Financial Statements

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.

Consolidated Statements of Income for fiscal years 2012, 2011 and 2010.

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2012 and 2011.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for fiscal years 2012, 2011 and 2010.

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Investment for fiscal years 2012, 2011 and 2010.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

(a) (2)

Financial Statement Schedules

  All schedules have been omitted because the information required is included in the financial statements or notes or have been omitted because they are not applicable or not required.

 

119


Table of Contents
(a) (3)

Exhibits

 

              

Incorporated by Reference to

         

Exhibits

  

Registration

or File

Number

  

Form or

Report

  

Date

  

Exhibit

Number

(3)

  

Articles of Incorporation and By-law.

           
  

(1)

   Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company dated August 2, 2007.    001-31617    10-Q    August 2, 2007    3.1
  

(2)

   Amended and Restated By-laws of the Company.    001-31617    8-K    November 9, 2010    3.1

(4)

  

Instruments defining the rights of security holders, including indentures.

           
  

(1)

   Registration Rights Agreement dated December 19, 1996, between the Company and Caledonia Industrial & Services Limited.    0-5232    10-Q    February 14, 1997    4(3)
  

(2)

   Indenture, dated as of June 13, 2007, among the Company, the Guarantors named therein and U.S. Bank National Association as Trustee relating to the 7 1/2% Senior Notes due 2017.    001-31617    10-Q    August 2, 2007    4.1
  

(3)

   Form of 144A Global Note representing $299,000,000 principal amount of 7 1/2% Senior Notes due 2017.    001-31617    10-Q    August 2, 2007    4.3
  

(4)

   Form of regulation S Global Note representing $1,000,000 principal amount of 7 1/2% Senior Notes due 2017.    001-31617    10-Q    August 2, 2007    4.4
  

(5)

   Supplemental Indenture dated as of November 2, 2007 among the Company, as issuer, the Guarantors named therein, as Guarantors, and U.S. Bank National Association as Trustee relating to the Company’s 7 1/2% Senior Notes due 2017.    001-31617    10-Q    November 5, 2007    4.1
  

(6)

   Indenture, dated as of June 17, 2008, among the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors named therein, and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee.    001-31617    8-K    June 17, 2008    4.1
  

(7)

   First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of June 17, 2008, among the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors named therein, and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee.    001-31617    8-K    June 17, 2008    4.2
  

(8)

   Amended and Restated Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement    001-31617    10-Q    February 2, 2011    10.2

(10)

  

Material Contracts.

           
  

(1)

   Offshore Logistics, Inc. 1994 Long-Term Management Incentive Plan. *    33-87450    S-8    December 1994    84
  

(2)

   Indemnity Agreement, similar agreements with other directors of the Company are omitted pursuant to Instruction 2 to Item 601 of Regulation S-K.    001-31617    8-K    November 10, 2009    10.1
  

(3)

   Master Agreement dated December 12, 1996.    0-5232    8-K   

January 3, 1997

   2(1)
  

(4)

   Supplemental Letter Agreement dated December 19, 1996 to the Master Agreement.    5-34191    13-D    April 23, 1997    2

 

120


Table of Contents
            

Incorporated by Reference to

         

Exhibits

  

Registration

or File

Number

  

Form or

Report

  

Date

  

Exhibit

Number

 

(5)

  Offshore Logistics, Inc. 1994 Long-Term Management Incentive Plan, as amended. *    0-5232    10-K    June 29, 1999    10(15)
 

(6)

  Offshore Logistics, Inc. 1991 Non-qualified Stock Option Plan for Non-employee Directors, as amended.*    33-50946    S-8    August 1992    4.1
 

(7)

  Offshore Logistics, Inc. 1994 Long-Term Management Incentive Plan, as amended.*    333-100017    S-8    September 23, 2002    4.12
 

(8)

  Offshore Logistics, Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan. *    001-31617    10-K    June 8, 2004    10(18)
 

(9)

  Offshore Logistics, Inc. 2003 Nonqualified Stock Option Plan for Non-employee Directors. *    333-115473    S-8    May 13, 2004    4(12)
 

(10)

  Offshore Logistics, Inc. 2004 Stock Incentive Plan.*    001-31617    10-Q    November 4, 2004    10(1)
 

(11)

  Employment Agreement with Richard Burman dated October 15, 2004. *    001-31617    10-K    December 16, 2005    10(27)
 

(12)

  Form of Stock Option Agreement. *    001-31617    8-K/A    February 3, 2006    10(2)
 

(13)

  Form of Aircraft Lease agreement between CFS Air, LLC and Air Logistics, L.L.C. (a Schedule I has been filed as part of this exhibit setting forth certain terms omitted from the Form of Aircraft Lease Agreement).    001-31617    10-Q    February 9, 2006    10(2)
 

(14)

  Employment Agreement with Randall A. Stafford dated May 22, 2006.*    001-31617    8-K    May 25, 2006    10(1)

 

121


Table of Contents
            

Incorporated by Reference to

         

Exhibits

  

Registration
or File
Number

  

Form or

Report

  

Date

  

Exhibit
Number

 

(15)

  Amended and restated Employment Agreement between the Company and William E. Chiles dated June 6, 2006.*    001-31617    8-K    June 8, 2006    10(1)
 

(16)

  Amended and restated Employment Agreement between the Company and Mark Duncan dated June 6, 2006.*    001-31617    8-K    June 8, 2006    10(2)
 

(17)

  Form of Stock Option Agreement under 2003 Nonqualified Stock Option Plan for Non-employee Directors.*    001-31617    8-K    August 7, 2006    10(3)
 

(18)

  S-92 New Helicopter Sales Agreement dated as of May 19, 2006 between the Company and Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation.+    001-31617    8-K    August 8, 2006    10(1)
 

(19)

  Bristow Group Inc. Form of Severance Benefit Agreement.*    001-31617    8-K    February 22, 2007    10(1)
 

(20)

  Amendment to Employment Agreement with Richard Burman.*    001-31617    8-K    April 26, 2007    10(1)
 

(21)

  William E. Chiles Restricted Stock Award Documents. *    001-31617    8-K    May 8, 2007    10(3)
 

(22)

  William E. Chiles Restricted Stock Award Document. *    001-31617    8-K/A    June 4, 2007    10.3
 

(23)

  Form of Employee Performance Restricted Stock Unit Award Letter under the Bristow Group Inc. 2004 Stock Incentive Plan. *    001-31617    8-K    May 24, 2007    10.1
 

(24)

  Form of Employee Nonqualified Stock Option Award Letter under the Bristow Group Inc. 2004 Stock Incentive Plan. *    001-31617    8-K    May 24, 2007    10.2
 

(25)

  Form of Employee Performance Restricted Stock Unit Award Letter under the Bristow Group Inc. 2007 Long Term Incentive Plan. *    001-31617    8-K    May 24, 2007    10.3
 

(26)

  Form of Employee Nonqualified Stock Option Award Letter under the Bristow Group Inc. 2007 Long Term Incentive Plan. *    001-31617    8-K    May 24, 2007    10.4
 

(27)

  Bristow Group Inc. 2007 Long Term Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Appendix A of the Company’s Proxy Statement on Form DEF14A filed with the SEC on June 25, 2007). *    001-31617    10-Q    November 5, 2007    10.1
 

(28)

  Amendment to Employment Agreement dated March 10, 2008 by and between the Company and William E. Chiles.*    001-31617    8-K    March 13, 2008    10.1

 

122


Table of Contents
             

Incorporated by Reference to

        

Exhibits

  

Registration

or File

Number

  

Form or

Report

  

Date

  

Exhibit

Number

 

(29)

   Amendment to Employment Agreement dated March 10, 2008 by and between the Company and Mark B. Duncan. *    001-31617    8-K    March 13, 2008    10.3
 

(30)

   Form of Employee Non-Qualified Stock Option Award Letter under the Bristow Group Inc. 2007 Long Term Incentive Plan. *    001-31617    8-K    June 6, 2008    10.1
 

(31)

   Form of Employee Restricted Stock Award Letter under the Bristow Group Inc. 2007 Long Term Incentive Plan. *    001-31617    8-K    June 6, 2008    10.2
 

(32)

   Form of Employee Performance Cash Award Letter under the Bristow Group Inc. 2007 Long Term Incentive Plan. *    001-31617    8-K    June 6, 2008    10.3
 

(33)

   Common Stock Purchase Agreement.    001-31617    8-K    June 17, 2008    10.1
 

(34)

   Form of Outside Director Restricted Stock Unit Award Letter under the Bristow Group Inc. 2007 Long Term Incentive Plan. *    001-31617    8-K    August 8, 2008    10.1
 

(35)

   Amendment to Form of Aircraft Lease agreement between CFS Air, LLC and Air Logistics, L.L.C.    001-31617    10-Q    November 5, 2008    10.2
 

(36)

   2009 Amendment to Employment Agreement of Mr. Richard Burman. *    001-31617    8-K    February 3, 2009    10.1
 

(37)

   Form of Stock Option Award Letter. *    001-31617    8-K    June 10, 2009    10.1
 

(38)

   Form of Restricted Stock Award Letter. *    001-31617    8-K    June 10, 2009    10.2
 

(39)

   Form of Performance Cash Award Letter. *    001-31617    8-K    June 10, 2009    10.3
 

(40)

  

Líder Aviação Holding S.A. Shareholders Agreement dated

May 26, 2009. +

   001-31617    10-Q    August 6, 2009    10.1
 

(41)

   Amendment No. 1 to 2007 Bristow Group Inc. 2007 Long Term Incentive Plan.*    001-31617    10-K    May 21, 2010    10(69)
 

(42)

   Form of Stock Option Award Letter. *    001-31617    8-K    June 15, 2010    10.1
 

(43)

   Form of Restricted Stock Award Letter. *    001-31617    8-K    June 15, 2010    10.2
 

(44)

   Form of Restricted Stock (Retention) Award Letter. *    001-31617    8-K    June 15, 2010    10.3
 

(45)

   Form of Performance Cash Award Letter. *    001-31617    8-K    June 15, 2010    10.4
 

(46)

   Employment Agreement with Jonathan E. Baliff dated September 12, 2010. *    001-31617    8-K    September 12, 2010    10.1
 

(47)

   Indemnity Agreement with Stephen King.    001-31617    8-K    February 7, 2011    10.1
 

(48)

   Severance Benefits Agreement with Hilary S. Ware dated November 4, 2010. *    001-31617    10-K    May 20, 2011    10(77)
 

(49)

   Form of Stock Option Award Letter.*    001-31617    8-K    June 14, 2011    10.1
 

(50)

   Form of Restricted Stock Award Letter. *    001-31617    8-K    June 14, 2011    10.2
 

(51)

   Form of Performance Cash Award Letter. *    001-31617    8-K    June 14, 2011    10.3
 

(52)

   Bristow Group Inc. Fiscal Year 2012 Annual Incentive Compensation Plan. *    001-31617    8-K    June 14, 2011    10.4
 

(53)

   Form of Outside Director Restricted Cash Award Letter. *    001-31617    8-K    August 5, 2011    10.1
 

(54)

   Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Agreement and Term Loam, dated November 22, 2010    001-31617    10-Q    February 2, 2011    10.2
 

(55)

   Indemnity Agreement with Mathew Masters.    001-31617    8-K    November 1, 2011    10.1
 

(56)

   First Amendment to Amended and Restated Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement, dated as of December 22, 2011.    001-31617    8-K    December 28, 2011    10.1
 

(57)

   Retirement & Compromise Agreement, between Bristow and Richard Burman, dated March 16, 2012.    001-31617    8-K    March 22, 2012    10.1
 

(58)

   Amended and Restated Severance Benefits Agreement between Bristow Group Inc. and Jeremy Akel, dated April 10, 2012. *    001-31617    8-K    April 10, 2012    10.1
 

(59)

   Indemnity Agreement with Lori Gobillot.    001-31617    8-K    May 1, 2012    10.1

(21)†

  Subsidiaries.            

(23)†

  Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.            

 

123


Table of Contents

(24)†

   Powers of Attorney.

(31.1)†

   Certification of Chief Executive Officer.

(31.2)†

   Certification of Chief Financial Officer.

(32.1)†

   Certification of the Chief Executive Officer of Registrant pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

(32.2)†

   Certification of the Chief Financial Officer of Registrant pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

101.INS±

   XBRL Instance Document.

101.SCH±

   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document

101.CAL±

   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.

101.LAB±

   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels Linkbase Document.

101.PRE±

   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.

 

*

Compensatory Plan or Arrangement

 

Furnished herewith

+

Confidential information has been omitted from this exhibit and filed separately with the SEC pursuant to a confidential treatment request under Rule 24(b)-2.

±

Furnished herewith. In accordance with Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, the information in these exhibits shall not be deemed to be “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to liability under that section, and shall not be incorporated by reference into any registration statement or other document filed under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, except as expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.

Agreements with respect to certain of the registrant’s long-term debt are not filed as Exhibits hereto inasmuch as the debt authorized under any such Agreement does not exceed 10% of the registrant’s total assets. The registrant agrees to furnish a copy of each such Agreement to the SEC upon request.

 

124


Table of Contents

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Houston, State of Texas on the 23rd day of May 2012.

 

BRISTOW GROUP INC.

By:

 

/s/ Jonathan E. Baliff

 

Jonathan E. Baliff

 

Senior Vice President and

 

Chief Financial Officer

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the listed capacities on the 23rd day of May 2012.

 

/s/ William E. Chiles

    President, Chief Executive Officer
William E. Chiles     and Director

/s/ Jonathan E. Baliff

    Senior Vice President and
Jonathan E. Baliff     Chief Financial Officer

/s/ Brian J. Allman

    Vice President,
Brian J. Allman     Chief Accounting Officer

*

    Director
Thomas N. Amonett    

*

    Director
Stephen J. Cannon    

*

    Director
Michael A. Flick    

*

    Director
Lori A. Gobillot    

*

    Director
Ian A. Godden    

*

    Director
Stephen A. King    

*

    Chairman of the Board and Director
Thomas C. Knudson    

*

    Director
Mathew Masters    

*

    Director
Bruce H. Stover    

*

    Director
Ken C. Tamblyn    

/s/ Randall A. Stafford

   
* By: Randall A. Stafford (Attorney-in-Fact)    

 

125


Table of Contents

Index to Exhibits

 

          Incorporated by Reference to
    

Exhibits

  

Registration
or File
Number

  

Form or
Report

  

Date

  

Exhibit
Number

(3)    Articles of Incorporation and By-law.            
  

(1)    Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company dated August 2, 2007.

   001-31617    10-Q    August 2, 2007    3.1
  

(2)    Amended and Restated By-laws of the Company.

   001-31617    8-K    November 9, 2010    3.1
(4)    Instruments defining the rights of security holders, including indentures.            
  

(1)    Registration Rights Agreement dated December 19, 1996, between the Company and Caledonia Industrial & Services Limited.

   0-5232    10-Q    February 14, 1997    4(3)
  

(2)    Indenture, dated as of June 13, 2007, among the Company, the Guarantors named therein and U.S. Bank National Association as Trustee relating to the 7 1/2% Senior Notes due 2017.

   001-31617    10-Q    August 2, 2007    4.1
  

(3)    Form of 144A Global Note representing $299,000,000 principal amount of 7 1/2% Senior Notes due 2017.

   001-31617    10-Q    August 2, 2007    4.3
  

(4)    Form of regulation S Global Note representing $1,000,000 principal amount of 7 1/2% Senior Notes due 2017.

   001-31617    10-Q    August 2, 2007    4.4
  

(5)    Supplemental Indenture dated as of November 2, 2007 among the Company, as issuer, the Guarantors named therein, as Guarantors, and U.S. Bank National Association as Trustee relating to the Company’s 7 1/2% Senior Notes due 2017.

   001-31617    10-Q    November 5, 2007    4.1
  

(6)    Indenture, dated as of June 17, 2008, among the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors named therein, and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee.

   001-31617    8-K    June 17, 2008    4.1
  

(7)    First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of June 17, 2008, among the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors named therein, and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee.

   001-31617    8-K    June 17, 2008    4.2
  

(8)    Amended and Restated Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement

   001-31617    10-Q    February 2, 2011    10.2
(10)    Material Contracts.            
  

(1)    Offshore Logistics, Inc. 1994 Long-Term Management Incentive Plan. *

   33-87450    S-8    December 1994    84
  

(2)    Indemnity Agreement, similar agreements with other directors of the Company are omitted pursuant to Instruction 2 to Item 601 of Regulation S-K.

   001-31617    8-K    November 10, 2009    10.1
  

(3)    Master Agreement dated December 12, 1996.

   0-5232    8-K   

January 3, 1997

   2(1)
  

(4)    Supplemental Letter Agreement dated December 19, 1996 to the Master Agreement.

   5-34191    13-D    April 23, 1997    2


Table of Contents
         Incorporated by Reference to
   

Exhibits

  

Registration

or File

Number

  

Form or

Report

  

Date

  

Exhibit

Number

 

(5)    Offshore Logistics, Inc. 1994 Long-Term Management Incentive Plan, as amended. *

   0-5232    10-K    June 29, 1999    10(15)
 

(6)    Offshore Logistics, Inc. 1991 Non-qualified Stock Option Plan for Non-employee Directors, as amended.*

   33-50946    S-8    August 1992    4.1
 

(7)    Offshore Logistics, Inc. 1994 Long-Term Management Incentive Plan, as amended.*

   333-100017    S-8    September 23, 2002    4.12
 

(8)    Offshore Logistics, Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan. *

   001-31617    10-K    June 8, 2004    10(18)
 

(9)    Offshore Logistics, Inc. 2003 Nonqualified Stock Option Plan for Non-employee Directors. *

   333-115473    S-8    May 13, 2004    4(12)
 

(10)  Offshore Logistics, Inc. 2004 Stock Incentive Plan.*

   001-31617    10-Q    November 4, 2004    10(1)
 

(11)  Employment Agreement with Richard Burman dated October 15, 2004. *

   001-31617    10-K    December 16, 2005    10(27)
 

(12)  Form of Stock Option Agreement. *

   001-31617    8-K/A    February 3, 2006    10(2)
 

(13)  Form of Aircraft Lease agreement between CFS Air, LLC and Air Logistics, L.L.C. (a Schedule I has been filed as part of this exhibit setting forth certain terms omitted from the Form of Aircraft Lease Agreement).

   001-31617    10-Q    February 9, 2006    10(2)
 

(14)  Employment Agreement with Randall A. Stafford dated May 22, 2006.*

   001-31617    8-K    May 25, 2006    10(1)


Table of Contents
         Incorporated by Reference to
   

Exhibits

  

Registration
or File
Number

  

Form or
Report

  

Date

  

Exhibit
Number

 

(15)  Amended and restated Employment Agreement between the Company and William E. Chiles dated June 6, 2006.*

   001-31617    8-K    June 8, 2006    10(1)
 

(16)  Amended and restated Employment Agreement between the Company and Mark Duncan dated June 6, 2006.*

   001-31617    8-K    June 8, 2006    10(2)
 

(17)  Form of Stock Option Agreement under 2003 Nonqualified Stock Option Plan for Non-employee Directors.*

   001-31617    8-K    August 7, 2006    10(3)
 

(18)  S-92 New Helicopter Sales Agreement dated as of May 19, 2006 between the Company and Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation.+

   001-31617    8-K    August 8, 2006    10(1)
 

(19)  Bristow Group Inc. Form of Severance Benefit Agreement.*

   001-31617    8-K    February 22, 2007    10(1)
 

(20)  Amendment to Employment Agreement with Richard Burman.*

   001-31617    8-K    April 26, 2007    10(1)
 

(21)  William E. Chiles Restricted Stock Award Documents. *

   001-31617    8-K    May 8, 2007    10(3)
 

(22)  William E. Chiles Restricted Stock Award Document. *

   001-31617    8-K/
A
   June 4, 2007    10.3
 

(23)  Form of Employee Performance Restricted Stock Unit Award Letter under the Bristow Group Inc. 2004 Stock Incentive Plan. *

   001-31617    8-K    May 24, 2007    10.1
 

(24)  Form of Employee Nonqualified Stock Option Award Letter under the Bristow Group Inc. 2004 Stock Incentive Plan. *

   001-31617    8-K    May 24, 2007    10.2
 

(25)  Form of Employee Performance Restricted Stock Unit Award Letter under the Bristow Group Inc. 2007 Long Term Incentive Plan. *

   001-31617    8-K    May 24, 2007    10.3
 

(26)  Form of Employee Nonqualified Stock Option Award Letter under the Bristow Group Inc. 2007 Long Term Incentive Plan. *

   001-31617    8-K    May 24, 2007    10.4
 

(27)  Bristow Group Inc. 2007 Long Term Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Appendix A of the Company’s Proxy Statement on Form DEF14A filed with the SEC on June 25, 2007). *

   001-31617    10-Q    November 5, 2007    10.1
 

(28)  Amendment to Employment Agreement dated March 10, 2008 by and between the Company and William E. Chiles.*

   001-31617    8-K    March 13, 2008    10.1


Table of Contents
          Incorporated by Reference to  
    

Exhibits

  

Registration
or File
Number

  

Form or
Report

  

Date

  

Exhibit
Number

 
  

(29)  Amendment to Employment Agreement dated March 10, 2008 by and between the Company and Mark B. Duncan. *

   001-31617    8-K    March 13, 2008      10.3   
  

(30)  Form of Employee Non-Qualified Stock Option Award Letter under the Bristow Group Inc. 2007 Long Term Incentive Plan. *

   001-31617    8-K    June 6, 2008      10.1   
  

(31)  Form of Employee Restricted Stock Award Letter under the Bristow Group Inc. 2007 Long Term Incentive Plan. *

   001-31617    8-K    June 6, 2008      10.2   
  

(32)  Form of Employee Performance Cash Award Letter under the Bristow Group Inc. 2007 Long Term Incentive Plan. *

   001-31617    8-K    June 6, 2008      10.3   
  

(33)  Common Stock Purchase Agreement.

   001-31617    8-K    June 17, 2008      10.1   
  

(34)  Form of Outside Director Restricted Stock Unit Award Letter under the Bristow Group Inc. 2007 Long Term Incentive Plan. *

   001-31617    8-K    August 8, 2008      10.1   
  

(35)  Amendment to Form of Aircraft Lease agreement between CFS Air, LLC and Air Logistics, L.L.C.

   001-31617    10-Q    November 5, 2008      10.2   
  

(36)  2009 Amendment to Employment Agreement of Mr. Richard Burman. *

   001-31617    8-K    February 3, 2009      10.1   
  

(37)  Form of Stock Option Award Letter. *

   001-31617    8-K    June 10, 2009      10.1   
  

(38)  Form of Restricted Stock Award Letter. *

   001-31617    8-K    June 10, 2009      10.2   
  

(39)  Form of Performance Cash Award Letter. *

   001-31617    8-K    June 10, 2009      10.3   
  

(40)  Líder Aviação Holding S.A. Shareholders Agreement dated May 26, 2009. +

   001-31617    10-Q    August 6, 2009      10.1   
  

(41)  Amendment No. 1 to 2007 Bristow Group Inc. 2007 Long Term Incentive Plan.*

   001-31617    10-K    May 21, 2010      10(69)   
  

(42)  Form of Stock Option Award Letter. *

   001-31617    8-K    June 15, 2010      10.1   
  

(43)  Form of Restricted Stock Award Letter. *

   001-31617    8-K    June 15, 2010      10.2   
  

(44)  Form of Restricted Stock (Retention) Award Letter. *

   001-31617    8-K    June 15, 2010      10.3   
  

(45)  Form of Performance Cash Award Letter. *

   001-31617    8-K    June 15, 2010      10.4   
  

(46)  Employment Agreement with Jonathan E. Baliff dated September 12, 2010. *

   001-31617    8-K    September 12, 2010      10.1   
  

(47)  Indemnity Agreement with Stephen King.

   001-31617    8-K    February 7, 2011      10.1   
  

(48)  Severance Benefits Agreement with Hilary S. Ware dated November 4, 2010. *

   001-31617    10-K    May 20, 2011      10(77)   
  

(49)  Form of Stock Option Award Letter.*

   001-31617    8-K    June 14, 2011      10.1   
  

(50)  Form of Restricted Stock Award Letter. *

   001-31617    8-K    June 14, 2011      10.2   
  

(51)  Form of Performance Cash Award Letter. *

   001-31617    8-K    June 14, 2011      10.3   
  

(52)  Bristow Group Inc. Fiscal Year 2012 Annual Incentive Compensation Plan. *

   001-31617    8-K    June 14, 2011      10.4   
  

(53)  Form of Outside Director Restricted Cash Award Letter. *

   001-31617    8-K    August 5, 2011      10.1   
  

(54)  Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Agreement and Term Loam, dated November 22, 2010

   001-31617    10-Q    February 2, 2011      10.2   
  

(55)  Indemnity Agreement with Mathew Masters.

   001-31617    8-K    November 1, 2011      10.1   
  

(56)  First Amendment to Amended and Restated Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement, dated as of December 22, 2011.

   001-31617    8-K    December 28, 2011      10.1   
  

(57)  Retirement & Compromise Agreement, between Bristow and Richard Burman, dated March 16, 2012.

   001-31617    8-K    March 22, 2012      10.1   
  

(58)  Amended and Restated Severance Benefits Agreement between Bristow Group Inc. and Jeremy Akel, dated April 10, 2012. *

   001-31617    8-K    April 10, 2012      10.1   
  

(59)  Indemnity Agreement with Lori Gobillot.

   001-31617    8-K    May 1, 2012      10.1   
(21)†    Subsidiaries.            
(23)†    Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.            
(24)†    Powers of Attorney.            
(31.1)†    Certification of Chief Executive Officer.            


Table of Contents
(31.2)†    Certification of Chief Financial Officer.
(32.1)†    Certification of the Chief Executive Officer of Registrant pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
(32.2)†    Certification of the Chief Financial Officer of Registrant pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
101.INS±    XBRL Instance Document.
101.SCH±    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL±    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.
101.LAB±    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels Linkbase Document.
101. PRE±    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.

 

 

*

Compensatory Plan or Arrangement

 

Furnished herewith

+

Confidential information has been omitted from this exhibit and filed separately with the SEC pursuant to a confidential treatment request under Rule 24(b)-2.

±

Furnished herewith. In accordance with Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, the information in these exhibits shall not be deemed to be “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to liability under that section, and shall not be incorporated by reference into any registration statement or other document filed under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, except as expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.

Agreements with respect to certain of the registrant’s long-term debt are not filed as Exhibits hereto inasmuch as the debt authorized under any such Agreement does not exceed 10% of the registrant’s total assets. The registrant agrees to furnish a copy of each such Agreement to the SEC upon request.