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Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2017
Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
1.
Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

(a)
The Company and Basis of Presentation

AeroCentury Corp., a Delaware corporation incorporated in 1997, typically acquires used regional aircraft and engines for lease to foreign and domestic regional carriers. 

In August 2016, AeroCentury Corp. formed two wholly-owned subsidiaries, ACY 19002 Limited ("ACY 19002") and ACY 19003 Limited ("ACY 19003") for the purpose of acquiring aircraft using a combination of cash and financing ("SPE Financing") separate from the parent's credit facility.  Financial information for AeroCentury Corp., ACY 19002 and ACY 19003 (collectively, the "Company") is presented on a consolidated basis in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP") based upon the continuation of the business as a going concern.  All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.  Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year's presentation.  These changes did not impact the previously reported revenue, net income, stockholders' equity or cash flows.

(b)
Use of Estimates

The Company's consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with GAAP.  The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP 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 consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.  The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable for making judgments that are not readily apparent from other sources.

The most significant estimates with regard to these consolidated financial statements are the residual values and useful lives of the Company's long lived assets, the amount and timing of future cash flows associated with each asset that are used to evaluate whether assets are impaired, accrued maintenance costs, accounting for income taxes, and the amounts recorded as allowances for doubtful accounts.

(c)
Cash and cash equivalents

The Company considers highly liquid investments readily convertible into known amounts of cash, with original maturities of 90 days or less from the date of acquisition, as cash equivalents.

(d)
Aircraft Capitalization and Depreciation

The Company's interests in aircraft and aircraft engines are recorded at cost, which includes acquisition costs.  Since inception, the Company has typically purchased only used aircraft and aircraft engines.  It is the Company's policy to hold aircraft for approximately twelve years unless market conditions dictate otherwise.  Therefore, depreciation of aircraft is initially computed using the straight-line method over the anticipated holding period to an estimated residual value based on appraisal. For an aircraft engine held for lease as a spare, the Company estimates the length of time that it will hold the aircraft engine based upon estimated usage, repair costs and other factors, and depreciates it to the appraised residual value over such period using the straight-line method.

The Company periodically reviews plans for lease or sale of its aircraft and aircraft engines and changes, as appropriate, the remaining expected holding period for such assets.  Estimated residual values are reviewed and adjusted periodically, based upon updated estimates obtained from an independent appraiser.  Decreases in the fair value of aircraft could affect not only the current value, discussed below, but also the estimated residual value. 

Assets that are held for sale are not subject to depreciation and are separately classified on the balance sheet.  Such assets are carried at the lower of their carrying value or estimated fair values, less costs to sell.

(e)
Fair Value Measurements

Fair value is defined as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. Valuation techniques used to measure fair value must maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs, to the extent possible. The fair value hierarchy under GAAP is based on three levels of inputs.

Level 1 - Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2 - Inputs other than Level 1 that are observable, either directly or indirectly, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.

Level 3 - Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities.

Assets and Liabilities Measured and Recorded at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

The carrying amount of the Company's money market funds included in cash and cash equivalents was $6,151,900 and $1,348,100 at December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively.  The fair value of the Company's money market funds is categorized as Level 1 under the GAAP fair value hierarchy.

As of December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, there were no liabilities that were required to be measured and recorded at fair value on a recurring basis.

Assets Measured and Recorded at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis

The Company determines fair value of long-lived assets held and used, such as aircraft and aircraft engines held for lease and assets held for sale, by reference to independent appraisals, quoted market prices (e.g., offers to purchase) and other factors. With respect to aircraft assets not on lease, the appraised value the Company uses is the average of current value appraisals from two appraisers, based on their understanding of the market for such aircraft and assuming an open and unrestricted market on an arm's length basis, and given an adequate amount of time for effective exposure to buyers.  For assets subject to lease, the Company uses the average of two appraisals calculated on an "encumbered" basis that takes into consideration the rental stream and future value at lease end based on each appraiser's estimate as adjusted for actual return conditions, using an appropriate discount rate.  An impairment charge is recorded when the Company believes that the carrying value of an asset will not be recovered through future net cash flows and that the asset's carrying value exceeds its fair value.
 
 
(a)
Assets held for lease

During 2017 and 2016, the Company recorded impairment charges of $1,002,100 and $905,600, respectively, on its assets held for lease.

 
(b)
Assets held for sale

The Company recorded no impairment charges on its aircraft held for sale during 2017.  During 2016, the Company recorded impairment charges of $321,200 on three assets prior to their sale during the year.

Fair Value of Other Financial Instruments

The Company's financial instruments, other than cash and cash equivalents, consist principally of finance leases receivable, amounts borrowed under its credit facility (the "Credit Facility") and notes payable under special purpose financing.  The fair value of accounts receivable, finance leases receivable, accounts payable and the Company's maintenance reserves and accrued maintenance costs approximates the carrying value of these financial instruments.

Borrowings under the Company's Credit Facility bear floating rates of interest that reset periodically to a market benchmark rate plus a credit margin.  The Company believes that the effective interest rate under the Credit Facility approximates current market rates for such indebtedness at the balance sheet date, and therefore that the outstanding principal and accrued interest of $134,278,900 and $110,183,600 at December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively, approximate their fair values on such dates.  The fair value of the Company's outstanding balance of its Credit Facility would be categorized as Level 3 under the GAAP fair value hierarchy.

The amounts payable under the Company's SPE Financing are payable through the fourth quarter of 2020 and bear a fixed rate of interest, as described in Note 6(b) to the consolidated financial statements.  The Company believes that the effective interest rate under the SPE Financing approximates current market rates for such indebtedness at the balance sheet date, and therefore that the outstanding principal and accrued interest of $13,535,300 and $17,654,200 approximate their fair values at December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively.  Such fair value would be categorized as Level 3 under the GAAP fair value hierarchy.

(f)
Impairment of Long-lived Assets

The Company reviews assets for impairment when there has been an event or a change in circumstances indicating that the carrying amount of a long-lived asset may not be recoverable. In addition, the Company routinely reviews all long-lived assets for impairment semi-annually. Recoverability of an asset is measured by comparison of its carrying amount to the future estimated undiscounted cash flows (without interest charges) that the asset is expected to generate.  Estimates are based on currently available market data and independent appraisals and are subject to fluctuation from time to time.  If these estimated future cash flows are less than the carrying value of an asset at the time of evaluation, any impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds its fair value.  Fair value is determined by reference to independent appraisals and other factors considered relevant by management. Significant management judgment is required in the forecasting of future operating results that are used in the preparation of estimated future undiscounted cash flows and, if different conditions prevail in the future, material write-downs may occur.  As discussed in (e) Fair Value Measurements above, the Company recorded impairment provisions totaling $1,002,100 and $1,226,800 in 2017 and 2016, respectively. 

(g)
Deferred Financing Costs and Commitment Fees

Costs incurred in connection with debt financing are deferred and amortized over the term of the debt using the effective interest method or, in certain instances where the differences are not material, using the straight-line method.  Costs incurred in connection with the Company's Credit Facility are deferred and amortized using the straight-line method.  Commitment fees for unused funds are expensed as incurred. 

(h)
Security deposits

The Company's leases are typically structured so that if any event of default occurs under a lease, the Company may apply all or a portion of the lessee's security deposit to cure such default.  If such application of the security deposit is made, the lessee typically is required to replenish and maintain the full amount of the deposit during the remaining lease term.  All of the security deposits received by the Company are refundable to the lessee at the end of the lease upon satisfaction of all lease terms.

(i)
Taxes

As part of the process of preparing the Company's consolidated financial statements, management estimates income taxes in each of the jurisdictions in which the Company operates.  This process involves estimating the Company's current tax exposure under the most recent tax laws and assessing temporary differences resulting from differing treatment of items for tax and GAAP purposes.  These differences result in deferred tax assets and liabilities, which are included in the balance sheet.  Management also assesses the likelihood that the Company's deferred tax assets will be recovered from future taxable income, and, to the extent management believes it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized, the Company establishes a valuation allowance.  To the extent the Company establishes a valuation allowance or changes the allowance in a period, the Company reflects the corresponding increase or decrease within the tax provision in the statement of operations. Significant management judgment is required in determining the Company's future taxable income for purposes of assessing the Company's ability to realize any benefit from its deferred taxes.

The Company accrues non-income based sales, use, value added and franchise taxes as other tax expense in the statements of operations.

(j)
Revenue Recognition, Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

Revenue from leasing of aircraft assets pursuant to operating leases is recognized on a straight-line basis over the terms of the applicable lease agreements. Deferred payments are recorded as accrued rent when the cash rent received is lower than the straight-line revenue recognized. Such receivables decrease over the term of the applicable leases.  Interest income is recognized on finance leases based on the interest rate implicit in the lease and the outstanding balance of the lease receivable.  Maintenance reserves retained by the Company at lease-end are recognized as maintenance reserves revenue. 

In instances where collectability is not reasonably assured, the Company recognizes revenue as cash payments are received.  The Company estimates and charges to income a provision for bad debts based on its experience with each specific customer, the amount and length of payment arrearages, and its analysis of the lessee's overall financial condition.  If the financial condition of any of the Company's customers deteriorates, it could result in actual losses exceeding any estimated allowances. 

The Company had no allowance for doubtful accounts at December 31, 2017 and 2016.

(k)
Comprehensive Income

The Company does not have any comprehensive income other than the revenue and expense items included in the statements of operations.  As a result, comprehensive income equals net income for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016.

(l)
Finance Leases

As of December 31, 2017, the Company had six aircraft subject to sales-type finance leases and three aircraft subject to direct financing leases.  All nine leases contain lessee bargain purchase options at prices substantially below the subject assets' estimated residual values at the exercise date for the options.  Consequently, the Company has classified each of these nine leases as finance leases for financial accounting purposes.  For such finance leases, the Company reports the discounted present value of (i) future minimum lease payments (including the bargain purchase option) and (ii) any residual value not subject to a bargain purchase option as a finance lease receivable on its balance sheet and accrues interest on the balance of the finance lease receivable based on the interest rate inherent in the applicable lease over the term of the lease.  For each of the six sales-type finance leases, the Company recognized as a gain or loss the amount equal to (i) the net investment in the sales-type finance lease plus any initial direct costs and lease incentives less (ii) the net book value of the subject aircraft at inception of the applicable lease.

The Company recognized revenue from interest earned on finance leases in the amount of $1,571,500 and $868,100 in 2017 and 2016, respectively.

(m)
Maintenance Reserves and Accrued Maintenance Costs

Maintenance costs under the Company's triple net leases are generally the responsibility of the lessees.  Some of the Company's leases require payment of maintenance reserves, which are based upon lessee-reported usage and billed monthly, and are intended to accumulate and be applied by the Company toward reimbursement of most or all of the cost of the lessees' performance of certain maintenance obligations under the leases. Such reimbursements reduce the associated maintenance reserve liability.

Maintenance reserves are characterized as either refundable or non-refundable depending on their disposition at lease-end.  The Company retains non-refundable maintenance reserves at lease-end, even if the lessee has met all of its obligations under the lease, including any return conditions applicable to the leased asset, while refundable reserves are returned to the lessee under such circumstances.  Any reserves retained by the Company at lease end are recorded as revenue at that time.

Accrued maintenance costs include (i) maintenance for work performed for off-lease aircraft, which is not related to the release of maintenance reserves received from lessees and which is expensed as incurred and (ii) lessor maintenance obligations assumed and recognized as a liability upon acquisition of aircraft subject to a lease with such provisions.

(n)
Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2014-09 that created the new Topic 606 ("Topic 606") in the Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC").  Topic 606 also included numerous conforming additions and amendments to other Topics within the ASC.  Topic 606 established new rules that affect the amount and timing of revenue recognition for contracts with customers, but does not affect lease accounting and reporting.  As such, adoption of these provisions will not affect the Company's lease revenues but may affect the reporting of the Company's non-lease revenues.  On August 12, 2015, the FASB deferred the effective date of the provisions included in Topic 606 to years commencing after December 15, 2017, although early adoption was permitted for the year ended December 31, 2017.  Adoption may be reflected using either a full retrospective method, applying the standard to all periods presented, or a simplified method that does not recast prior periods but does disclose the effect of the adoption on the current period consolidated financial statements.  Since most of the Company's revenues arise from its lease contracts, which are not affected by the new standard, and since the Company's revenue recognition for other sources of revenue is generally the same as it was under previous accounting standards, the Company has determined that adoption of Topic 606, using the modified retrospective approach, does not have a material effect on its consolidated financial statements.
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) ("ASU 2016-02").  ASU 2016-02 is effective for public companies for years beginning after December 15, 2018, although early adoption is permitted.  ASU 2016-02 substantially modifies lessee accounting for leases, requiring that lessees recognize lease assets and liabilities for leases extending beyond one year. Leases will be classified as either finance or operating, with classification affecting the pattern of expense recognition in the income statement.

The new standard requires a lessor to classify leases as sales-type, finance or operating.  A lease will be treated as a sale if it transfers all of the risks and rewards, as well as control of the underlying asset, to the lessee. If risks and rewards are conveyed without the transfer of control, the lease is treated as a financing.  If the lessor does not convey risks and rewards or control, an operating lease results.  A modified retrospective transition approach is required for lessors for sales-type, finance, and operating leases existing at, or entered into after, the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements, with certain practical expedients available. 

The Company is reviewing those agreements under which it is the lessor and is evaluating the impact of the adoption of ASU 2016-02 on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.  The Company does not expect to adopt ASU 2016-02 early, and expects to elect practical expedients in connection with its adoption, including not re-evaluating lease classification or capitalized initial direct costs on existing leases.

The Company is not a lessee under any agreements that would be considered leases under ASU 2016-02, and so would be unaffected with respect to its adoption with respect to lessee accounting.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-01, Business Combinations (Topic 805) ("ASU 2017-01").  ASU 2017-01 is effective for public companies for years beginning after December 15, 2017, although early adoption is permitted.  ASU 2017-01 clarifies the definition of a business with the objective of adding guidance to assist entities with evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals) of assets or businesses.  The Company has early adopted ASU 2017-01 effective beginning the first quarter ended March 31, 2017 and has determined that none of its acquired assets qualifies as a business, such that no gain, loss or adjustment to the carrying value of assets was required in connection with such adoption.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, Intangibles -- Goodwill and Other (Topic 350) ("ASU 2017-04"), which provides for simplification of the test for goodwill impairment.  Under the revised standard, "step 2" of the test under the previous standard is eliminated and (i) the fair value of the reporting unit is compared to its carrying value, with (ii) an impairment charge up to the amount of goodwill recognized for the excess of carrying value over fair value (considering the income tax effects of deductible goodwill, if applicable).  The new provisions are required to be adopted for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, although the Company has elected to early adopt the new provisions beginning with its quarter ended March 31, 2017.  Adoption of ASU 2017-04 has had no effect on the financial results or position of the Company.