Description of Business, Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Jan. 31, 2013

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Business Description and Accounting Policies [Text Block]

Description of Business

Aerosonic Corporation (“Aerosonic”) and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Avionics Specialties, Inc. andOP Technologies, Inc. (collectively referred to herein as the “Company”) manufacture and sell aircraft instrumentation and sensors systems, including integrated cockpit displays, digital and mechanical standby displays, sensors and probes. Our customers include government and commercial users located worldwide. The Company’s production facilities are located in Clearwater, Florida.

Liquidity Disclosure [Policy Text Block]

Liquidity, Covenant Compliance and Management’s Plans

The Company’s liquidity will depend on its ability to continue to achieve improved operating results and contain costs related to the development of new products. Sufficient liquidity is necessary to, among other things, (i) satisfy working capital requirements, (ii) fulfill necessary capital spending and (iii) meet the Company’s debt obligations in fiscal year 2014 and beyond.

The Company’s principal sources of capital have been cash flows from operations and borrowings under its credit facilities (the “Credit Facility”) with BMO Harris Bank, N.A. (“BMO Harris Bank”). As more fully described in Note 9, the Company is required to comply with a number of financial and other covenants under the Credit Facility. The Company did not comply with certain financial covenants for the periods ended July 29, 2011 and October 28, 2011. BMO Harris Bank waived non-compliance for these periods and agreed to modify certain financial covenants and other terms of the Credit Facility. However, absent a waiver or modification to the Credit Facility, the Company’s failure to comply with these covenants in future periods would constitute a default under the Credit Facility, which would entitle BMO Harris Bank to terminate the Company’s ability to borrow under the Credit Facility and accelerate the Company’s obligations to repay outstanding borrowings. There can be no assurance that BMO Harris Bank would agree to any future waivers or modifications. The Company, however, was in compliance with all covenants within the Credit Facility as of January 31, 2012 and for all compliance periods within fiscal year 2013.

Failure by the Company to maintain its improved operating results or contain costs related to the development of new products could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s liquidity and could require the implementation of curative measures, including raising capital, deferring planned capital expenditures and research and development efforts, reductions in force, reducing discretionary spending, and selling assets.  There can be no assurance that any curative measures proposed by management will be successful to conserve liquidity. In addition, there can be no assurance that in the event additional sources of funds are needed, they will be available on acceptable terms, if at all.

Basis of Accounting, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Basis of Presentation

The Company prepares its consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). These principles require management to make estimates and judgments that affect reported and contingent amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, including such items as (i) inventory, (ii) restructuring and environmental costs, (iii) other miscellaneous accruals and (iv) valuation allowances for accounts receivable, inventory and deferred tax assets (including the measurement of uncertain tax positions). Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions, and such differences could be material.

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The Company operates on a fiscal year that ends on January 31, consisting of four quarters, each of the first three quarters ending on the Friday of each successive 13 week period. Accordingly, all references to the third quarter mean the third quarter ended on the 39^th Friday of the fiscal year. For example, references to the third quarter of fiscal year 2013 mean the quarter ended October 26, 2012.

Reclassification, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Reclassifications

Certain amounts in the fiscal year 2012 financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the fiscal year 2013 presentation. Such reclassifications had no effect on net loss or stockholders’ equity as previously reported.

Trade and Other Accounts Receivable, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Doubtful Accounts and Credit Losses

The Company continuously evaluates our customers and provides reserves for anticipated credit losses as soon as collection becomes compromised. While credit losses have historically been within expectations of the provisions established, the Company cannot guarantee that it will continue to experience the same credit loss rates that have been experienced in the past. Measurement of such losses requires consideration of historical loss experience, including the need to adjust for current conditions, and judgments about the probable effects of relevant observable data, including present economic conditions such as delinquency rates and financial health of specific customers.

Inventory, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Inventories

The Company values inventory at standard cost which generally reflects the most recent significant cost for manufactured or purchased inventory. Standards are revalued from time to time to reflect the lower of cost (using a method that approximates the first-in, first-out method “FIFO”) or net realizable value. The reserve for obsolete and slow moving inventory is based upon reviews of inventory quantities on hand, usage and sales history.

Inventory Work in Process, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Work In Process Inventories

The Company employs certain methods to estimate the value of work in process inventories for financial reporting purposes. The Company’s practice has been to conduct cycle counts of inventory throughout the year. Generally, for items that are in process at the end of a fiscal year, the Company will make an estimate during the cycle counting process regarding the percentage of completion of such items in order to accurately reflect costs incurred to date on the production of the items that are still in process. These estimates are affected by the nature of the operation at which the items are located at the time a physical inventory is conducted, and are subject to judgment. This practice was employed for fiscal years 2013 and 2012.

Manufacturing Overhead Cost Policy [Policy Text Block]

Manufacturing Overhead Cost Application

The Company establishes its inventoriable cost of manufacturing overhead by calculating overhead costs as a percentage of direct labor and applying that percentage to direct labor that has been charged to inventory on a twelve month rolling average basis. This application percentage is reviewed and adjusted no less than annually.

Deferred Tax Asset Valuation Allowance Policy [Policy Text Block]

Deferred Tax Asset Valuation Allowance

The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with U.S. GAAP, which states that deferred tax liabilities and assets are determined based on the difference between the financial statement carrying amounts and tax bases of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect in the years in which the differences are expected to reverse. A valuation allowance is provided against the future benefit of deferred tax assets to the extent it is determined that it is more likely than not that the future tax benefits associated with the deferred tax asset will not be realized.

Property Held For Sale Policy [Policy Text Block]

Property Held for Sale

Property held for sale is reported at the lower of its carrying amount or fair value less cost to sell. Depreciation on property held for sale is discontinued at the time the criteria, established by U.S. GAAP, are met. The Earlysville, Virginia property is presently held for sale. The property consists of a 53,000 square foot manufacturing facility on approximately 12 acres of land. In preparation for the sale of the Earlysville, Virginia facility, the Company engaged an environmental consulting firm to survey the property for any possible soil or groundwater contamination. This survey revealed impacts to both shallow soils and groundwater that may have resulted from the accidental loss of solvents by a former owner of the property. During fiscal year 2013, the Company signed an administrative order on consent with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to provide the former owner with access to the property and the former owner of the property signed an administrative order on consent with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for completion of a contamination characterization study. As a result of the initial and subsequent surveys, the Company’s responsibility for the remaining contamination treatment, future monitoring, oversight and other related costs is estimated at $404,000 as of January 31, 2013. The Company has capitalized these costs as an increase to property held for sale, net, since such costs will be incurred in preparation for the sale of the Earlysville, Virginia facility and will not result in a carrying value in excess of the estimated fair value less cost to sell. Costs incurred during fiscal year 2013 totaled $22,000 and costs incurred during the fiscal year ended January 31, 2012 totaled $20,000. At this time, the Company cannot predict how much, if any, it will incur for more costs in fiscal year 2014.

Property, Plant and Equipment, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is calculated on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Upon disposition, the cost and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and any related gain or loss is included in earnings. Expenditures for repairs and improvements that significantly add to the productive capacity or extend the useful life of an asset are capitalized. Repair and maintenance charges are expensed as incurred.

The useful lives of property, plant and equipment for purposes of computing depreciation are:

Land improvements	15-20 Years
Buildings and improvements	25-40 Years
Machinery and equipment	3-15 Years
Patterns, dies and tools	5-10 Years
Furniture and fixtures	3-10 Years

Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

The carrying value of goodwill is reviewed at least annually for impairment and will be reviewed more frequently if current events and circumstances indicate a possible impairment. An impairment loss is charged to expense in the period identified. As current events and circumstances warrant, the Company examines the carrying value of its intangible assets with finite lives, such as capitalized software and development costs, purchased intangibles, and other long-lived assets, to determine whether there are any impairment losses. If indicators of impairment are present and future cash flows are not expected to be sufficient to recover the asset’s carrying amount, an impairment loss is charged to expense in the period identified. Factors that may cause impairment include negative industry or economic trends or significant underperformance relative to historical or projected future operating results.

Other Assets [Policy Text Block]

Other Assets

Capitalized loan fees are recorded at cost less accumulated amortization. The costs are determined at the time the loan transactions are closed and are amortized over the life of the loan using a method which approximates the effective interest method.

Income Tax, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Income Taxes

The Company and its includable subsidiaries file a consolidated U.S. federal income tax return in accordance with the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

The Company’s accounting for income taxes represents management’s best estimate of various events and transactions.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities resulting from temporary differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities are measured at the balance sheet date using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years the temporary differences are expected to reverse.

The realization of deferred tax assets depends upon the existence of sufficient taxable income within the carryback or carryforward periods under the tax law in the applicable tax jurisdiction. Valuation allowances are established when management determines, based on available information, that it is more likely than not that deferred income tax assets will not be realized. Significant judgment is required in determining whether valuation allowances should be established as well as the amount of such allowances. When making such determination, consideration is given to, among other things, the following:

· future taxable income exclusive of reversing temporary differences and carryforwards;

· future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences;

· taxable income in prior carryback years and

· tax planning strategies.

The Company believes that it will ultimately recover a majority of the deferred tax assets recorded on its consolidated balance sheets. However, should there be a change in the Company’s ability to recover its deferred tax assets, its tax provision would increase in the period in which it was determined that the recovery was not likely.

The Company re-evaluates uncertain tax positions on a regular basis. This evaluation is based on factors such as changes in facts or circumstances, changes in tax law, new audit activity, and effectively settled issues. Determining whether an uncertain tax position is effectively settled requires judgment. Such a change in recognition or measurement would result in the recognition of a tax benefit or an additional charge to the tax provision.

The Company classifies tax related interest and tax related penalties as a component of income taxes.

Revenue Recognition, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Revenue Recognition

The Company generally recognizes revenue from sales of its products when the following have occurred: evidence of a sale arrangement exists; delivery or shipment has occurred or services have been rendered; the price to the buyer is fixed or determinable; and collectability is reasonably assured.

For fixed-price contracts, the Company may recognize revenue on a Multiple-Element Arrangement basis. The Multiple-Element Arrangement method requires the Company to evaluate all deliverables in an arrangement to determine whether they represent separate units of accounting. The Company makes that determination at the inception of the arrangement. In an arrangement with multiple deliverables, the delivered item(s) shall be considered a separate unit of accounting if (a) the delivered item(s) have value to the customer on a standalone basis, (b) there is objective and reliable evidence of the fair value of the undelivered item(s), and (c) if the arrangement includes a general right of return relative to the delivered item(s) and delivery or performance of the undelivered item(s) is considered probable and substantially in the control of the buyer. The Company may also recognize its revenue under the completed contract method.

For long-term, fixed-price contracts meeting certain criteria, the Company may elect to follow the percentage-of-completion method of accounting for revenue recognition. Under this method, contract revenue is computed as that percentage of estimated total revenue that costs incurred to date bear to total estimated costs, after giving effect to the most recent estimates of costs to complete. From time to time, the Company will record costs and estimated profits in excess of billings for a contract. Revisions in costs and revenue estimates are reflected in the period in which the revisions are determined. Provisions for estimated losses on uncompleted contracts are made in the period in which such losses are determined without regard to the percentage-of-completion.

Periodically the Company enters into research and development contracts with customers related primarily to aircraft instruments and sensors. When the contracts provide for milestone or other interim payments, the Company will recognize revenue either under the Milestone method or the Multiple-Element Arrangement method. Contracts in process during fiscal year 2013, presented as contracts B, D and E, are being accounted for under the Milestone method. The Milestone method requires the Company to deem all milestone payments within each contract as either substantive or non-substantive. That conclusion is determined based upon a thorough review of each contract and the Company’s deliverables committed to in each contract. For substantive milestones, the Company concludes that upon achievement of each milestone, the amount of the corresponding defined payment is commensurate with the effort required to achieve such milestone or the value of the delivered item. The payment associated with each milestone relates solely to past performance and is deemed reasonable upon consideration of the deliverables and the payment terms within the contract. For non-substantive milestones, including advance payments, the recognition of such payments are pro-rated to the substantive milestones. Milestones may include, for example, the successful completion of design review or technical review, the submission and acceptance of technical drawings, delivery of hardware, software, spares, test equipment or regulatory agency certifications. During fiscal year 2013, revenue recognized through the achievement of multiple milestones related to contracts B, D and E amounted to $1,513,000.

Milestone considerations for contracts in process during fiscal year 2013 include:

Contract B (Completed in fiscal year 2013)	Milestone consideration
Milestone 1 (Substantive)	$	100,000
Milestone 2 (Substantive)		29,000
Milestone 3 (Substantive)		100,000
Milestone 4 (Substantive)		41,000
Milestone 5 (Substantive)		10,000
Milestone 6 (Substantive)		115,000
Milestone 7 (Substantive)		38,000
Milestone 8 (Substantive)		73,000
Milestone 9 (Substantive)		51,000
Milestone 10 (Substantive)		82,000
Milestone 11 (Substantive)		23,000
	$	662,000

Contract D	Milestone consideration
Milestone 1 (Substantive)	$	319,000
Milestone 2 (Substantive)		333,000
Milestone 3 (Substantive)		196,000
Milestone 4 (Substantive)		40,000
	$	888,000

Contract E	Milestone consideration
Milestone 1 (Non Substantive)	$	187,500
Milestone 2 (Substantive)		187,500
Milestone 3 (Substantive)		318,750
Milestone 4 (Substantive)		56,250
	$	750,000

When there is no milestone or other interim payments, revenue is generally recognized at completion.

As a general matter, the terms specified in customer purchase orders determine whether the Company or the customer bears the obligation for payment of freight charges. While customers pay for freight in most transactions, the Company does occasionally pay freight charges on behalf of customers and may bill all or a portion to customers.

Research and Development Expense, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Research and Development

R&D costs that are not associated with specific customer contract requirements are expensed and included in selling, general and administrative expenses and approximated $3,684,000 and $1,312,000 for the years ended January 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Unrecognized R&D costs that are associated with specific customer contract requirements are presented as a deferred charge in prepaid expenses and other current assets, net and approximated $267,000 and $1,332,000 as of January 31, 2013 and January 31, 2012, respectively. Recognized R&D costs that are associated with specific customer contract requirements are expensed and included in selling, general and administrative expenses approximated $1,264,000 and $1,407,000 for the years ended January 31, 2013 and January 31, 2012, respectively.

Environmental Cost, Expense Policy [Policy Text Block]

Environmental Expenditures

The Company assesses its property held for sale, along with any property that is being taken out of its initially intended use, for the presence of hazardous or toxic substances that would result in an environmental liability. In addition, management assesses its current property in use for any environmental issues.

Liabilities for environmental remediation costs not related to retirements of tangible long-lived assets, and arising from claims, assessments, litigation, fines, and penalties and other sources, are recorded when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the assessment and/or remediation can be reasonably estimated.

Legal costs incurred in connection with environmental remediation are expensed as incurred. Recoveries of environmental remediation costs from third parties, which are probable of realization, are separately recorded as assets, and are not offset against the related environmental liability, in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

Schedule Of Treasury Stock [Policy Text Block]

Treasury Stock

The Company accounts for the acquisition of treasury shares at cost. The Company has not reissued acquired shares.

Share-based Compensation, Option and Incentive Plans Policy [Policy Text Block]

Stock-Based Compensation

U.S. GAAP requires that all stock-based compensation be recognized as an expense in the financial statements and that such cost be measured at the fair value of the award. Under this method, in addition to reflecting compensation for new share-based awards, expense is also recognized to reflect the remaining service period of awards that had been included in pro-forma disclosure in prior periods. U.S. GAAP requires that the cost of all share-based transactions be measured at fair value and recognized over the period during which a grantee is required to provide goods or services in exchange for the award. Although the terms of the Company’s share-based plans do not accelerate vesting upon retirement, or the attainment of retirement eligibility, the requisite service period subsequent to attaining such eligibility is considered non-substantive. Accordingly, the Company recognizes compensation expense related to share-based awards over the shorter of the requisite service period or the period to attainment of retirement eligibility. U.S. GAAP also requires an estimation of future forfeitures of share-based awards to be incorporated into the determination of compensation expense when recognizing expense over the requisite service period.

Although the Company did not issue stock options to employees during fiscal year 2013, the Company issued 22,000 stock options to employees during fiscal year 2012. The weighted average per share fair value of options granted was determined using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following assumptions (See Note 10 for further discussion of stock-based compensation):

	2012
Volatility		67	%
Risk-free interest rate		0.25	%
Expected life in years		10.00
Dividend yield		0	%

Earnings Per Share, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Income per Share

Basic income per share is computed using the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding. Diluted income per share is computed by dividing net income available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding for the period, adjusted for the dilutive effect of potential common stock, using the treasury stock method.

Concentration Risk, Credit Risk, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Concentrations of Credit Risk

Financial instruments which potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash and cash equivalents and accounts receivable. As of January 31, 2013 and 2012, substantially all of the Company’s cash balances were deposited with financial institutions determined by management to be of high credit quality. During the normal course of business, the Company extends credit, without collateral, to customers conducting business in the aerospace industry worldwide.

Exchange Rate Flactuation [Policy Text Block]

Exchange Rate Fluctuation

The Company conducts a limited amount of business in transactions that are denominated in foreign currencies. The Company employs a method of matching accounts receivable denominated in foreign currencies with accounts payable denominated in foreign currencies to mitigate this risk. These amounts have been insignificant.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Financial Instruments

U.S. GAAP requires disclosure of the fair value of certain financial instruments. Cash, accounts receivable, short-term borrowings and certain accrued liabilities are included in the consolidated financial statements at amounts which approximate fair value because of the short term nature of these instruments. The carrying amount of long-term debt at January 31, 2013 and 2012 approximates fair value as these instruments have adjustable rates which change in accordance with the market.

New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Adoption of New Accounting Pronouncements

In September 2011, the FASB amended the guidance on the annual testing of goodwill for impairment. The amended guidance allows companies to assess qualitative factors to determine if it is more likely than not that goodwill might be impaired and whether it is necessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test required under current accounting standards. This guidance is effective for the Company’s fiscal year ending January 31, 2013. The Company has determined that this new guidance does not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In July 2012, the FASB amended guidance on the annual testing of indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment. Under the amended guidance, an entity has the option first to assess qualitative factors to determine whether the existence of events and circumstances indicates that it is more likely than not that the indefinite-lived intangible asset is impaired. If, after assessing the totality of events and circumstances, an entity concludes that it is not more likely than not that the indefinite-lived intangible asset is impaired, then the entity is not required to take further action. However, if an entity concludes otherwise, then it is required to determine the fair value of the indefinite-lived intangible asset and perform the quantitative impairment test by comparing the fair value with the carrying amount. This guidance will be effective for annual and interim impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after September 15, 2012, with early adoption permitted. The Company has determined that this new guidance will not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In February 2013, the FASB issued guidance on the Reporting of Amounts Reclassified out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income. The guidance requires that companies present either in a single note or parenthetically on the face of the financial statements, the effect of significant amounts reclassified from each component of accumulated other comprehensive income based on its source (e.g., the release due to cash flow hedges from interest rate contracts) and the income statement line items affected by the reclassification (e.g., interest income or interest expense). If a component is not required to be reclassified to net income in its entirety (e.g., the net periodic pension cost), companies would instead cross reference to the related footnote for additional information (e.g., the pension footnote). This guidance is effective for fiscal and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2012. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.