UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 ____________ FORM 10-K (MARK ONE) [X] ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004 ---------------------------------------------------- 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 0-16079 ---------- AIR METHODS CORPORATION (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) DELAWARE 84-0915893 (State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. employer incorporation or organization) identification no.) 7301 SOUTH PEORIA, ENGLEWOOD, COLORADO 80112 (Address of principal executive offices and zip code) 303-792-7400 (Registrant's telephone number, including area code) SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(B) OF THE ACT: Not Applicable SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(G) OF THE ACT: COMMON STOCK, $.06 PAR VALUE PER SHARE (THE "COMMON STOCK") (Title of Class) 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 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. [ ] Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes X No --- --- State the aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates computed by reference to the price at which the common equity was last sold, or the average bid and asked price of such common equity, as of the last business day of the registrant's most recently completed second fiscal quarter: $85,811,000 The number of outstanding shares of Common Stock as of March 1, 2005, was 10,999,997. TABLE OF CONTENTS TO FORM 10-K Page ---- PART I ITEM 1. BUSINESS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 General. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Competition. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Contracts in Process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Employees. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Government Regulation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Internet Address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 ITEM 2. PROPERTIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Facilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Equipment and Parts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS. . . . 6 PART II ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS. . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Results of Operations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Liquidity and Capital Resources. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Outlook for 2005 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Risk Factors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Critical Accounting Policies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 New Accounting Standards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK 27 ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA. . . . . . . . 27 ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE. . . . . . . . . . . . 28 ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 i PART III ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT. . . . 29 ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS. . . . . . 41 ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES. . . . . . . . . . 41 PART IV ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K. . IV-1 SIGNATURES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . IV-4 ii PART I ITEM 1. BUSINESS GENERAL Air Methods Corporation, a Delaware corporation (Air Methods or the Company), was originally incorporated in Colorado in 1982 and now serves as the largest provider of air medical emergency transport services and systems throughout the United States of America. The Company provides air medical emergency transport services under two separate operating models: the Community-Based Model (CBM) and the Hospital-Based Model (HBM). In October 2002, the Company acquired 100% of the membership interest of Rocky Mountain Holdings, LLC (RMH), a Delaware limited liability company which conducts both CBM and HBM operations. As of December 31, 2004, the Company's CBM division provided air medical transportation services in 17 states, while its HBM division provided air medical transportation services to hospitals located in 26 states and Puerto Rico under operating agreements with original terms ranging from one to ten years. Under both CBM and HBM operations, the Company transports persons requiring intensive medical care from either the scene of an accident or general care hospitals to highly skilled trauma centers or tertiary care centers. The Company's Products Division designs, manufactures, and installs aircraft medical interiors and other aerospace or medical transport products. Financial information for each of the Company's operating segments is included in the notes to the Company's consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of this report. Community-Based Model CBM services, also referred to as independent provider operations, are performed by the Company's LifeNet Division and include medical care, aircraft operation and maintenance, 24-hour communications and dispatch, and medical billing and collections. CBM aircraft are typically based at fire stations or airports. Revenue from the CBM consists of flight fees billed directly to patients, their insurers, or governmental agencies. Due to weather conditions and other factors, the number of flights is generally higher during the summer months than during the remainder of the year, causing revenue generated from operations to fluctuate accordingly. In July 1997 the Company acquired Mercy Air Service, Inc. (Mercy Air), which has operated as a community-based provider of air medical transportation services throughout southern California since 1988. In April 2000, the Company established a wholly-owned subsidiary, LifeNet, Inc. (formerly ARCH Air Medical Service, Inc.), to acquire substantially all of the business assets of Area Rescue Consortium of Hospitals, which has provided air medical transportation services in the St. Louis metropolitan area and surrounding communities since 1987. Following the acquisition of RMH in October 2002, its CBM operations were combined with the Company's already existing CBM division. The division operates 78 helicopters and three fixed wing aircraft under both Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) and Visual Flight Rules (VFR) in 17 states, with concentrations in California, Arizona, the Midwest, and the Southeast. Although the division does not generally contract directly with specific hospitals, it has long-standing relationships with several leading healthcare institutions in the metropolitan areas in which it operates. Communications and dispatch operations for all CBM locations are conducted from the Company's national center in Omaha, Nebraska, or from the regional center in St. Louis, Missouri. Medical billing and collections are processed from the Company's offices in San Bernardino, California, and Bountiful, Utah. In 2004 the Company opened seven new CBM locations throughout the U.S. and closed two locations in the Southeast due to low flight volume and low collection rates. 1 Hospital-Based Model The Company's HBM provides hospital clients with medically-equipped helicopters and airplanes which are generally based at hospitals. The Company's responsibility is to operate and maintain the aircraft in accordance with Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) Part 135 standards. Hospital clients provide medical personnel and all medical care on board the aircraft. The division operates 91 helicopters and 13 fixed wing aircraft in 26 states plus Puerto Rico. Under the typical operating agreement with a hospital, the Company earns approximately 65% of its revenue from a fixed monthly fee and 35% from an hourly flight fee from the hospital, regardless of when, or if, the hospital is reimbursed for these services by its patients, their insurers, or the federal government. Both monthly and hourly fees are generally subject to annual increases based on changes in the consumer price index, hull and liability insurance premiums, or spare parts prices from aircraft manufacturers. Because the majority of the division's flight revenue is generated from fixed monthly fees, seasonal fluctuations in flight hours do not significantly impact monthly revenue in total. The HBM operations of RMH were integrated into the division following the acquisition in October 2002. In the first quarter of 2004, the Company began operations under a five-year contract with a new customer in Florida and discontinued operations under a contract in New Mexico. The Company expanded a contract in Missouri to a satellite location during the second quarter of 2004 and expanded contracts in Colorado and North Carolina to satellite locations during the fourth quarter of 2004. The Company operates some of its HBM contracts under the service mark AIR LIFE(R), which is generally associated within the industry with the Company's standard of service. Technical Services The Company's technical services group performs non-destructive component testing, engine repair, and component overhaul at its headquarters in metropolitan Denver, Colorado, for both CBM and HBM divisions. The Company is a Customer Service Facility for Bell Helicopter, Inc. (Bell) and an FAA-Certified Repair Station authorized to perform airframe, avionics, and limited engine repairs. In-house repair, maintenance, and testing capabilities provide cost savings and decrease aircraft down time by avoiding the expense and delay of having this work performed by nonaffiliated vendors. The technical services group also provides spare parts procurement and inventory and aircraft recordkeeping services for the majority of the Company's flight operations. Products Division The Company's Products Division designs, manufactures, and certifies modular medical interiors, multi-mission interiors, and other aerospace and medical transport products. These interiors and other products range from basic life support to intensive care suites to advanced search and rescue systems. The modular design provides for flexibility of configuration for multiple transport needs and optimizes space, weight, cost, and maintainability. With a full range of engineering, manufacturing and certification capabilities, the division has also designed and integrated aircraft communication and navigation systems, environmental control systems, and structural and electrical systems. Manufacturing capabilities include avionics, electrical, composites, machining, welding, sheetmetal, and upholstery. The division also offers quality assurance and certification services pursuant to Parts Manufacturer Approvals (PMA's) and maintains ISO9001:2000 (Quality Systems) certification. The Company maintains patents covering several products, including the Litter Lift System, used in the U.S. Army's HH60L helicopter and in the Medical Evacuation Vehicle (MEV), and the Articulating Patient Loading System and Modular Equipment Frame, which were developed as part of the modular interior concept. Raw materials and components used in the manufacture of interiors and other products are generally widely available from several different vendors. 2 During 2004, the Company completed 21 MEV litter systems and continued production of 19 additional MEV units and 13 HH-60L Multi-Mission Medevac Systems for the U.S. Army, with delivery to be completed in 2005. The Company also continued to support both the HH60L and MEV programs with the production of spare parts and research of product enhancements. In the second quarter of 2004 the Company began production of a multi-mission interior for a FIREHAWK helicopter for the Los Angeles County Fire Department; completion is expected in the first half of 2005. Work on two modular medical interiors for a commercial customer was also commenced in the fourth quarter of 2004. COMPETITION Competition in the air medical transportation industry comes primarily from three national operators: CJ Systems, Inc.; OmniFlight, Inc.; and Petroleum Helicopters, Inc. The CBM also faces competition from smaller regional carriers and alternative air ambulance providers such as local governmental entities. Operators generally compete on the basis of price, safety record, accident prevention and training, and the medical capability of the aircraft. Price is a significant element of competition for HBM operations as many healthcare organizations continue to move toward consolidation and strict cost containment. The Company believes that its competitive strengths center on the quality of its customer service and the medical capability of the aircraft it deploys, as well as its ability to tailor the service delivery model to a hospital's or community's specific needs. The Company's competition in the aircraft interior design and manufacturing industry comes primarily from three companies based in the United States and three in Europe. Competition is based mainly on product availability, price, and product features, such as configuration and weight. With the development of a line of interiors for Eurocopter aircraft to complement its established line of interiors for Bell aircraft, the Company believes that it has demonstrated the ability to compete on the basis of each of these factors. CONTRACTS IN PROCESS As of December 31, 2004, the Company had the following projects in process: - Thirteen HH-60L units and nineteen MEV units for the U.S. Army. Eleven of the HH60L units were nearly complete as of December 31, 2004. - Multi-mission interior for Los Angeles County FIREHAWK helicopter - Two modular medical interiors for a commercial customer Deliveries under all contracts in process as of December 31, 2004, are expected to be completed by the second quarter of 2005, and remaining revenue is estimated at $2.1 million. As of December 31, 2003, the revenue remaining to be recognized on medical interiors and other products in process was estimated at $3.1 million. EMPLOYEES As of December 31, 2004, the Company had 1,623 full time and 210 part time employees, comprised of 627 pilots; 348 aviation machinists, airframe and power plant (A&P) engineers, and other manufacturing/maintenance positions; 525 flight nurses and paramedics; and 333 business and administrative personnel. The Company's pilots are IFR-rated where required by contract, and all have completed an extensive ground school and flight training program at the commencement of their employment with the Company, as well as local area orientation and annual training provided by the Company. All of the Company's aircraft mechanics must possess FAA A&P licenses. All flight nurses and paramedics hold the appropriate state and county licenses, as well as Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, Advanced Cardiac Life Support, and/or Pediatric Advanced Life Support certifications. In September 2003, the Company's pilots voted to be represented by a collective bargaining unit, the Office and Professional Employees International Union. Negotiations on a collective bargaining agreement have continued since early 2004, and a mediator was appointed in the fourth quarter of 2004 to assist with resolving differences between the parties. Other employee groups may also elect to be represented by unions in the future. Although the Company believes that current salary and benefits arrangements are competitive with others within the industry, the impact of a collective bargaining agreement on the cost of operations has not yet been determined. 3 GOVERNMENT REGULATION The Company is subject to the Federal Aviation Act of 1958, as amended. All flight and maintenance operations of the Company are regulated and actively supervised by the U.S. Department of Transportation through the FAA. Medical interiors and other aerospace products developed by the Company are subject to FAA certification. Air Methods and LifeNet, Inc. each hold a Part 135 Air Carrier Certificate, and Air Methods, Mercy, and LifeNet, Inc. each hold a Part 145 Repair Station Certificate from the FAA. A Part 135 certificate requires that the voting interests of the holder of the certificate cannot be more than 25% owned by foreign persons. As of December 31, 2004, the Company was aware of one foreign person who, according to recent public securities filings, is believed to hold approximately 10.1% of outstanding Common Stock. The Company is also subject to laws, regulations, and standards relating to corporate governance and public disclosure, including the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, Securities and Exchange Commission regulations, and NASDAQ National Market rules. INTERNET ADDRESS The Company's internet site is www.airmethods.com. The Company makes available ------------------ free of charge, on or through the website, all annual, quarterly, and current reports, as well as any amendments to these reports, as soon as reasonably practicable after electronically filing these reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission. This reference to the website does not incorporate by reference the information contained in the website and such information should not be considered a part of this report. ITEM 2. PROPERTIES FACILITIES The Company leases its headquarters, consisting of approximately 88,500 square feet of office and hangar space, in metropolitan Denver, Colorado, at Centennial Airport. The lease expires in August 2006 and the approximate annual rent is $980,000. CBM Division headquarters consist of approximately 50,000 square feet of office and hangar space owned by the Company in Rialto, California. Under a ground lease which expires in May 2007, the Company pays minimal rent for the land at the airport where the facilities are located. The Company also owns and leases various properties for depot level maintenance and administration purposes. The Company believes that these facilities are in good condition and suitable for the Company's present requirements. 4 EQUIPMENT AND PARTS As of December 31, 2004, the Company managed and operated a fleet of 185 aircraft, composed of the following: Number of Number of Number of Company-Owned Company-Leased Customer- Type Aircraft Aircraft Owned Aircraft Total - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Helicopters: Bell 206 5 -- -- 5 Bell 222 13 9 -- 22 Bell 230 -- -- 2 2 Bell 407 5 9 5 19 Bell 412 4 3 2 9 Bell 430 -- 2 1 3 Eurocopter AS 350 17 21 3 41 Eurocopter AS 355 1 -- -- 1 Eurocopter BK 117 16 25 -- 41 Eurocopter BO 105 2 3 1 6 Eurocopter EC 130 -- 4 -- 4 Eurocopter EC 135 -- 7 3 10 Eurocopter EC 145 -- -- 3 3 Boeing MD 902 -- 2 -- 2 Sikorsky S 76 -- -- 1 1 ---------------------------------------------------- 63 85 21 169 ---------------------------------------------------- Airplanes: King Air E 90 1 -- 4 5 King Air B 100 -- 2 -- 2 King Air B 200 1 -- 2 3 Pilatus PC 12 -- 2 4 6 ---------------------------------------------------- 2 4 10 16 ---------------------------------------------------- TOTALS 65 89 31 185 ==================================================== The Company generally pays all insurance, taxes, and maintenance expense for each aircraft in its fleet. Because helicopters are insured at replacement cost which usually exceeds book value, the Company believes that helicopter accidents covered by hull and liability insurance will generally result in full reimbursement of any damages sustained. In the ordinary course of business, the Company may from time to time purchase and sell helicopters in order to best meet the specific needs of its operations. The Company has experienced no significant difficulties in obtaining required parts for its helicopters. Repair and replacement components are purchased primarily through Bell and American Eurocopter Corporation (AEC), since Bell and Eurocopter aircraft make up the majority of the Company's fleet. Based upon the manufacturing capabilities and industry contacts of Bell and AEC, the Company believes it will not be subject to material interruptions or delays in obtaining aircraft parts and components. Any termination of production by Bell or AEC would require the Company to obtain spare parts from other suppliers, which are not currently in place. 5 ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS None. ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS No matters were submitted to a vote of security holders during the quarter ended December 31, 2004. 6 PART II ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS The Company's common stock is traded on the NASDAQ National Market System under the trading symbol "AIRM." The following table shows, for the periods indicated, the high and low closing prices for the Company's common stock. The quotations for the common stock represent prices between dealers and do not reflect adjustments for retail mark-ups, mark-downs or commissions, and may not represent actual transactions. YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2004 ---------------------------- Common Stock High Low - ------------------------------------------ First Quarter . . . . . . . . $9.33 $8.45 Second Quarter. . . . . . . . 9.20 7.80 Third Quarter . . . . . . . . 8.88 6.22 Fourth Quarter. . . . . . . . 8.66 6.65 YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2003 ---------------------------- Common Stock High Low - ------------------------------------------ First Quarter . . . . . . . . $6.66 $5.32 Second Quarter. . . . . . . . 8.19 5.72 Third Quarter . . . . . . . . 8.88 6.83 Fourth Quarter. . . . . . . . 9.69 8.16 As of March 1, 2005, there were approximately 316 holders of record of the Company's common stock. The Company estimates that it has approximately 3,900 beneficial owners of common stock. The Company has not paid any cash dividends since its inception and intends to retain any future earnings to finance the growth of the Company's business rather than to pay dividends. 7 ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA The following tables present selected consolidated financial information of the Company and its subsidiaries which has been derived from the Company's audited consolidated financial statements. This selected financial data should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements of the Company and notes thereto appearing in Item 8 of this report. Revenue, expenses, assets, and long-term liabilities as of and for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003, and 2002, increased in part as a result of the acquisition of RMH in October 2002. See "Business - General" in Item 1 and "Management's Discussion and Analysis" in Item 7 of this report. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA OF THE COMPANY (Amounts in thousands except share and per share amounts) Year Ended December 31, ----------------------- 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 ------------------------------------------------------------- STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA: Revenue $ 273,103 242,455 130,668 92,096 75,293 Operating expenses: Operating 232,400 205,342 106,771 74,597 61,393 General and administrative 28,641 21,550 12,744 9,781 7,854 Other income (expense), net (6,698) (7,197) (2,694) (1,770) (1,889) ------------------------------------------------------------- Income before income taxes 5,364 8,366 8,459 5,948 4,157 Income tax benefit (expense) (2,121) (3,263) (3,299) 615 - ------------------------------------------------------------- Income before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle 3,243 5,103 5,160 6,563 4,157 Cumulative effect of change in method of accounting for maintenance costs, net of income taxes 8,595 - - - - ------------------------------------------------------------- Net income $ 11,838 5,103 5,160 6,563 4,157 ============================================================= Basic income per common share: Income before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle $ .30 .53 .56 .78 .50 Cumulative effect of change in method of accounting for maintenance costs, net of income taxes .79 - - - - ------------------------------------------------------------- Net income $ 1.09 .53 .56 .78 .50 ============================================================= Diluted income per common share: Income before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle $ .29 .51 .54 .76 .49 Cumulative effect of change in method of accounting for maintenance costs, net of income taxes .76 - - - - ------------------------------------------------------------- Net income $ 1.05 .51 .54 .76 .49 ============================================================= Weighted average number of shares of Common Stock outstanding - basic 10,894,863 9,665,278 9,184,421 8,421,671 8,334,445 ============================================================= Weighted average number of shares of Common Stock outstanding - diluted 11,314,827 10,052,989 9,478,502 8,659,302 8,559,389 ============================================================= 8 SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA OF THE COMPANY (Amounts in thousands except share and per share amounts) As of December 31, ------------------------------------------ 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 ------------------------------------------ BALANCE SHEET DATA: Total assets $204,723 215,649 196,396 85,557 75,250 Long-term liabilities 89,490 114,657 115,225 34,210 29,885 Stockholders' equity 73,079 60,688 46,218 36,543 29,416 SELECTED OPERATING DATA 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 -------------------------------------- FOR YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31: CBM patient transports 30,159 25,676 12,870 9,212 7,091 HBM medical missions 46,630 46,570 26,367 19,073 17,484 AS OF DECEMBER 31: CBM bases 64 59 48 17 16 HBM contracts 44 43 47 22 22 9 ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS The following discussion of the results of operations and financial condition should be read in conjunction with the Company's consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in Item 8 of this report. This report, including the information incorporated by reference, contains forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The use of any of the words "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "plan," "estimate," and similar expressions are intended to identify such statements. Forward-looking statements include statements concerning possible or assumed future results of the Company; size, structure and growth of the Company's air medical services and products markets; continuation and/or renewal of HBM contracts; acquisition of new and profitable Products Division contracts; flight volume and collection rates for CBM operations; and other matters. The actual results that the Company achieves may differ materially from those discussed in such forward-looking statements due to the risks and uncertainties described in the Business section of this report, in Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, and in other sections of this report, as well as in the Company's quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements. OVERVIEW The Company provides air medical transportation services throughout the United States and designs, manufactures, and installs medical aircraft interiors and other aerospace and medical transport products. The Company's divisions, or business segments, are organized according to the type of service or product provided and consist of the following: - - Community-Based Model (CBM) - provides air medical transportation services to the general population as an independent service. Revenue consists of flight fees billed directly to patients, their insurers, or governmental agencies, and cash flow is dependent upon collection from these individuals or entities. In 2004 the CBM Division generated 65% of the Company's total revenue, increasing from 60% in 2003 and 56% in 2002. - - Hospital-Based Model (HBM) - provides air medical transportation services to hospitals throughout the U.S. under exclusive operating agreements. Revenue consists of fixed monthly fees (approximately 65% of total contract revenue) and hourly flight fees (approximately 35% of total contract revenue) billed to hospital customers. In 2004 the HBM Division generated 33% of the Company's total revenue, decreasing from 36% in 2003 and 39% in 2002. - - Products Division - designs, manufactures, and installs aircraft medical interiors and other aerospace and medical transport products for domestic and international customers. In 2004 the Products Division generated 2% of the Company's total revenue, decreasing from 3% in 2003 and 4% in 2002. See Note 13 to the consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 of this report for operating results by segment. The Company believes that the following factors have the greatest impact on its results of operations and financial condition: - - FLIGHT VOLUME. Fluctuations in flight volume have a greater impact on CBM operations than HBM operations because 100% of CBM revenue is derived from flight fees, as compared to 35% of HBM revenue. By contrast, 64% of the Company's costs primarily associated with flight operations (including salaries, aircraft ownership costs, hull insurance, and general and administrative expenses) are mainly fixed in nature. While flight volume is affected by many factors, including competition and the distribution of calls within a market, the greatest single variable has historically been weather conditions. Adverse weather conditions-such as fog, high winds, or heavy precipitation-hamper the Company's ability to operate its aircraft safely and, therefore, result in reduced flight volume. Total patient transports for CBM operations were approximately 30,200 for 2004 compared to approximately 25,700 for 2003. Patient transports for CBM bases open longer than one year (Same-Base Transports) were approximately 25,600 in 2004 compared to approximately 24,600 in 2003. 10 - - RECEIVABLE COLLECTIONS. The Company responds to calls for air medical transports without pre-screening the creditworthiness of the patient. For CBM operations, bad debt expense is estimated during the period the related services are performed based on historical collection experience. The provision is adjusted as required based on actual collections in subsequent periods. Both the pace of collections and the ultimate collection rate are affected by the overall health of the U.S. economy, which impacts the number of indigent patients and funding for state-run programs, such as Medicaid. Medicaid reimbursement rates in many jurisdictions have remained well below the cost of providing air medical transportation. The Company increased prices for its CBM operations approximately 5% effective January 2004 and an additional 10% effective September 2004. However, net revenue after bad debt expense per transport increased only 0.5% from 2003 to 2004. Generally, price increases result in incremental revenue from privately insured patients only. Bad debt expense as a percentage of related net flight revenue increased from 22.2% in 2003 to 24.1% in 2004. The Company believes the decrease in collection rate is driven primarily by overall economic conditions. In an effort to increase its collection rates, the Company increased staffing in the billing and collections department, segmented billing by region, and hired a national billing director in 2004. - - AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE. Both CBM and HBM operations are directly affected by fluctuations in aircraft maintenance costs. Proper operation of the aircraft by flight crews and standardized maintenance practices can help to contain maintenance costs. Increases in spare parts prices from original equipment manufacturers (OEM's) tend to be higher for aircraft which are no longer in production. Three models of aircraft within the Company's fleet, representing 28% of the rotor wing fleet, are no longer in production and are, therefore, susceptible to price increases which outpace general inflationary trends. In addition, on-condition components are more likely to require replacement with age. Total maintenance expense for CBM and HBM operations, as adjusted for the change in accounting method described below, increased 15.4% from 2003 to 2004, while total flight volume for CBM and HBM operations increased 7.0% over the same period. The Company continues to evaluate opportunities to modernize its fleet in order to enhance long-term control over maintenance costs. Replacement models of aircraft, however, typically have higher ownership costs than the models targeted for replacement. As described more fully below in Liquidity and Capital Resources, in 2004 the Company entered into two long-term purchase commitments for a total of 25 aircraft, designed to replace the discontinued models and other older aircraft over the next five to seven years. - - COST PRESSURES ON HEALTHCARE INSTITUTIONS. Publicly and privately funded healthcare institutions both face pressures to reduce the rising cost of healthcare and to modify or eliminate certain non-core operations as a result of reductions in funding. Flight programs based at a single hospital typically require subsidization from other hospital operations. As a result, a growing number of healthcare institutions are evaluating their delivery model for air medical transportation services, creating expansion opportunities for CBM operations. In the first quarter of 2005, the CBM division commenced operations at two new bases in California which had previously been a hospital-based flight program. At the expiration of the contract in the first quarter of 2004, one HBM customer also converted its flight program to the community-based model with services provided by another operator. The Company expects the trend toward conversion of HBM programs to CBM operations to continue as healthcare institutions recognize the viable alternatives available for outsourcing. - - COMPETITIVE PRESSURES FROM LOW-COST PROVIDERS. The Company is recognized within the industry for its standard of service and its use of cabin-class aircraft. Many of the Company's regional competitors utilize aircraft with lower ownership and operating costs and do not require a similar level of experience for aviation and medical personnel. Reimbursement rates established by Medicare, Medicaid, and most insurance providers are not contingent upon the type of aircraft used or the experience of personnel. However, the Company believes that higher quality standards help to differentiate its service from competitors and, therefore, lead to higher utilization. Deploying multiple aircraft in a market also serves as a barrier to entry for lower cost providers. - - EMPLOYEE RELATIONS. In September 2003, the Company's pilots voted to be represented by a collective bargaining unit. Negotiations on a collective bargaining agreement have continued since early 2004, and a mediator was appointed in the fourth quarter of 2004 to assist with resolving differences between the parties. Other employee groups may also elect to be represented by unions in the future. Although the Company believes that current salary and benefits arrangements are competitive with others within the industry, the impact of a collective bargaining agreement on the cost of operations has not yet been determined. 11 RESULTS OF OPERATIONS Year ended December 31, 2004 compared to 2003 The Company reported net income of $11,838,000 for the year ended December 31, 2004, compared to $5,103,000 for the year ended December 31, 2003. Net income for the year ended December 31, 2004, included the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle of $8,595,000, as discussed more fully below. Before the cumulative effect of the change in accounting principle, the Company reported net income of $3,243,000 for 2004. An increase in flight volume during the year was offset in part by increased aircraft maintenance costs and bad debt expense. CHANGE IN ACCOUNTING METHOD Effective January 1, 2004, the Company changed its method of accounting for major engine and airframe component overhaul costs from the accrual method of accounting to the direct expense method. Under the new accounting method, maintenance costs are recognized as expense as maintenance services are performed. Accordingly, effective January 1, 2004, the Company reversed its major overhaul accrual totaling $33,809,000 for all owned and leased aircraft and reversed the remaining capitalized maintenance included in fixed assets relating to used aircraft purchases totaling $19,719,000, with the balance reflected as the cumulative effect of change in accounting principle of $8,595,000 ($14,090,000, net of income taxes of $5,495,000). In 2002, the impact of the major overhaul accrual relating to aircraft purchased in the RMH acquisition was considered a component of the valuation of the aircraft and did not affect the allocation of the purchase price to goodwill. Accordingly, the change in method to the direct expense method in 2004 resulted in a reduction in the asset value assigned to RMH aircraft. The amount of the cumulative effect of the change in accounting principle related to RMH aircraft was due exclusively to depreciation of the asset value or changes in the liability balances which had been expensed subsequent to the acquisition. Therefore, the majority of the cumulative effect of the change in accounting principle related to aircraft which were in the Company's fleet prior to the RMH acquisition. Pro forma results, assuming the change in accounting principle had been applied retroactively, are as follows for the year ended December 31, 2003 (amounts in thousands): As Reported Pro Forma ----------------------- Aircraft operations expense $ 56,776 52,430 ======================= Depreciation and amortization $ 11,309 9,797 ======================= Net income $ 5,103 8,676 ======================= Basic income per share $ .53 .90 ======================= Diluted income per share $ .51 .86 ======================= FLIGHT OPERATIONS - COMMUNITY-BASED MODEL AND HOSPITAL-BASED MODEL FLIGHT REVENUE increased $31,010,000, or 13.2%, from $234,687,000 for the year ended December 31, 2003, to $265,697,000 for the year ended December 31, 2004. Flight revenue is generated by both HBM and CBM operations and is recorded net of contractual allowances under agreements with third-party payers (i.e., Medicare and Medicaid). - - CBM - Flight revenue increased $30,542,000, or 20.9%, to $176,867,000 for the following reasons: - Incremental revenue of $22,324,000 generated from the addition of 17 new CBM bases during either 2003 or 2004. 12 - Purchase of certain business assets from another air medical service provider in southeastern Arizona in May 2003, resulting in the expansion of operations from three bases to five. Transport volume for all bases in the region increased 91.6% during the first four months of 2004 compared to the same period in 2003, resulting in incremental revenue of approximately $2,508,000. - Closure of one base in the fourth quarter of 2003, one in the first quarter of 2004, and one during the third quarter of 2004, resulting in a decrease in revenue of approximately $3,293,000. - Increase in Same Base Transports. Excluding the impact of the new bases and base closures discussed above, total flight volume for all CBM operations increased 4.1% in 2004, primarily attributable to improved weather conditions and an increase in flight requests, driven in part by enhanced crew outreach and other marketing initiatives. - Average price increase of approximately 5% for all CBM operations effective January 1, 2004, and an average price increase of approximately 10% effective September 1, 2004. - Decrease caused by a change in payer mix to a higher percentage of Medicare/Medicaid transports, resulting in higher contractual discounts which are offset against flight revenue. See discussion of total provision for uncollectible accounts, including contractual discounts and bad debt expense, below under "Bad Debt Expense." - - HBM - Flight revenue increased $469,000, or 0.5%, to $88,831,000 for the following reasons: - Discontinuation of service under three contracts either prior to or during the first quarter of 2004. In addition, during the fourth quarter of 2003, one HBM customer converted to CBM operations. The resulting decrease in revenue from all of these actions was approximately $5,356,000. - Revenue of $2,859,000 generated by the addition of one new contract during the first quarter and the expansion of three contracts in the second and fourth quarters of 2004. - Annual price increases in the majority of contracts based on changes in the Consumer Price Index. - Increase of 3.3% in flight volume for all contracts, excluding the discontinued contracts and new contracts discussed above. FLIGHT CENTER COSTS (consisting primarily of pilot, mechanic, and medical staff salaries and benefits) increased $13,309,000, or 15.3%, to $100,460,000 for the year ended December 31, 2004, compared to 2003. Changes by business segment are as follows: - - CBM - Flight center costs increased $12,615,000, or 23.7%, to $65,916,000 for the following reasons: - Increase of $10,524,000 for the addition of personnel and facilities for the new base locations described above. - Decrease of $1,650,000 due to the closure of base locations described above. - Increases in salaries for merit pay raises. - Increase of approximately $700,000 for telecommunications costs associated with dispatch operations. - - HBM - Flight center costs increased $694,000, or 2.1%, to $34,544,000 primarily due to the following: - Decrease of $2,067,000 due to the closure of base locations described above. - Increase of $1,252,000 for the addition of personnel and facilities for the new base locations described above. - Increases in salaries for merit pay raises. AIRCRAFT OPERATING EXPENSES increased $3,140,000, or 5.5%, for the year ended December 31, 2004, in comparison to 2003. Aircraft operating expenses consist of fuel, insurance, and maintenance costs and generally are a function of the size of the fleet, the type of aircraft flown, and the number of hours flown. The increase in costs is due to the following: - - Addition of 18 helicopters for CBM operations and 15 for HBM operations during either 2003 or 2004. The resulting incremental impact for 2004 was an increase of approximately $2,723,000. - - Increase of approximately 21% in the number of engine events requiring significant repair or overhaul and increase of approximately 60% in the number of blade repairs for BK117 helicopters compared to 2003. - - Increase of approximately 12.8% in the cost of aircraft fuel per hour flown. - - Decrease in hull insurance rates effective July 2004. AIRCRAFT RENTAL EXPENSE increased $3,230,000, or 27.3%, for the year ended December 31, 2004, in comparison to the year ended December 31, 2003. Incremental rental expense incurred in 2004 for 26 leased aircraft added to the Company's fleet during either 2003 or 2004 totaled $3,639,000. 13 BAD DEBT EXPENSE increased $10,373,000, or 31.9%, for the year ended December 31, 2004, compared to 2003, due in part to the increase in related flight revenue. In addition, bad debt expense as a percentage of related net flight revenue was 24.1% in 2004, compared to 22.2% in 2003. Flight revenue is recorded net of Medicare/Medicaid discounts. The total reserve for expected uncollectible amounts, including contractual discounts and bad debts, increased from 43.6% of related gross flight revenue for 2003 to 48.1% for 2004. The Company believes the decrease in collection rates is due to general recessionary trends in the economy and a related increase in the number of uninsured patients and in patients covered by Medicaid, as well as the dilutive effect of price increases on collection rates. Bad debt expense related to HBM operations and Products Division was not significant in either 2004 or 2003. MEDICAL INTERIORS AND PRODUCTS SALES OF MEDICAL INTERIORS AND PRODUCTS increased $497,000, or 7.3%, from $6,803,000 for the year ended December 31, 2003, to $7,300,000 for the year ended December 31, 2004. Significant projects in 2004 included production of 13 Multi-Mission Medevac Systems for the U. S. Army's HH-60L Black Hawk helicopter, 40 MEV litter systems, a multi-mission interior for a Sikorsky FIREHAWK helicopter for the Los Angeles County Fire Department, and four modular medical interiors for three commercial customers. Revenue by product line for the year ended December 31, 2004, was as follows: - - $811,000 - manufacture and installation of modular medical interiors - - $4,244,000 - manufacture of multi-mission interiors - - $2,245,000 - design and manufacture of other aerospace and medical transport products Significant projects in 2003 included the manufacture of eight modular medical interiors for four commercial customers and eleven HH60L Multi-Mission Medevac Systems. Revenue by product line for the year ended December 31, 2003, was as follows: - - $2,927,000 - manufacture and installation of modular medical interiors - - $2,782,000 - manufacture of multi-mission interiors - - $1,094,000 - design and manufacture of other aerospace and medical transport products COST OF MEDICAL INTERIORS AND PRODUCTS decreased $2,052,000, or 43.1%, for the year ended December 31, 2004, as compared to the previous year. The average net margin earned on projects during 2004 was 44% compared to 24% in 2003, primarily due to the change in product mix. The margin earned on multi-mission interiors is typically higher than the margins earned on modular medical interiors for commercial customers. In addition, aircraft interiors completed for commercial customers during 2003 were for new types of aircraft in which the Company had not previously installed its modular interior, leading to higher engineering and documentation costs and lower profit margins. Cost of medical interiors and products also includes certain fixed costs, such as administrative salaries and facilities rent, which do not vary with volume of sales and which are absorbed by both projects for external customers and interdivisional projects. GENERAL EXPENSES DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION EXPENSE decreased $326,000, or 2.9%, for the year ended December 31, 2004, primarily due to the change in the method of accounting for major engine and airframe component overhauls and replacements, as discussed more fully above. As part of the change in method, the Company reversed the remaining capitalized maintenance included in fixed assets relating to used aircraft purchases, resulting in a decrease of approximately $1,512,000 in depreciation expense in 2004. The decrease was offset in part by depreciation on engine upgrades, medical interior and avionics upgrades, an upgraded flight tracking system, and computer hardware and software placed into service in 2004. GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE (G&A) EXPENSES increased $7,091,000, or 32.9%, for the year ended December 31, 2004, compared to the year ended December 31, 2003, reflecting the growth in the Company's operations. G&A expenses include accounting and finance, billing and collections, human resources, aviation management, pilot training, and CBM program administration. G&A expenses were 10.5% of revenue for 2004, compared to 8.9% for 2003. During the last half of 2003, the Company formalized the organization structure for its CBM division along regional and program lines and added administrative personnel to manage the daily operations of CBM bases. This 14 increase in administrative staffing was offset in part by a reduction in Flight Center Costs for personnel previously assigned exclusively to a single base of operation. The Company also increased the number of billing and collections personnel in 2004 to keep pace with the growth in CBM operations and to address a slowdown in collections in early 2004. During 2004, the Company also incurred approximately $1,178,000 in audit fees and outside consultant costs related to the audit of internal controls required by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. These increases were offset in part by a decrease in aviation management costs resulting from the consolidation of FAA Part 135 operating certificates from 4 certificates at the beginning of 2003 to 2 certificates by the beginning of 2004. INTEREST EXPENSE decreased $396,000, or 4.8%, for the year ended December 31, 2004, compared to 2003, due to decreases in principal balances as a result of regularly scheduled payments and the refinancing of $17.5 million of debt at lower interest rates during the fourth quarter of 2003 and the first quarter of 2004. The Company recorded INCOME TAX EXPENSE of $2,121,000 in 2004 and $3,263,000 in 2003, both at an effective rate of approximately 39%. For income tax purposes, at December 31, 2004, the Company has net operating loss carryforwards (NOL's) of approximately $23 million, expiring at various dates through 2024. During 2004, NOL's of $4.2 million, for which a valuation allowance had previously been established, expired. As of December 31, 2004, a valuation allowance has been provided for NOL's which are not expected to be realized prior to expiration. Based on management's assessment, realization of net deferred tax assets through future taxable earnings is considered more likely than not, except to the extent valuation allowances are provided. Year ended December 31, 2003 compared to 2002 The Company reported net income of $5,103,000 and income before income taxes of $8,366,000 for the year ended December 31, 2003, compared to $5,160,000 and $8,459,000, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2002. Results for 2003 included twelve months of RMH operations, while 2002 results included only two and a half months of RMH operations from the acquisition date of October 16, 2002, through the end of the year. Total revenue increased $111,787,000, or 85.6%, in 2003 compared to 2002, primarily due to the RMH acquisition and to the addition of ten new CBM bases during the year. Because the Company has a high level of fixed costs, the slight decrease in net income from 2002 to 2003 was principally attributed to a decrease in flight volume caused by adverse weather conditions and a decline in collection rates on CBM operations, as discussed more thoroughly below. FLIGHT OPERATIONS - COMMUNITY-BASED MODEL AND HOSPITAL-BASED MODEL FLIGHT REVENUE increased $111,153,000, or 90.0%, from $123,534,000 for the year ended December 31, 2002, to $234,687,000 for the year ended December 31, 2003. - - CBM - Flight revenue increased $74,204,000, or 102.9%, to $146,325,000. Total patient transports were approximately 25,700 for 2003 compared to approximately 12,900 for 2002. The increase in flight revenue was due to the following: - Acquisition of RMH in October 2002. Flight revenue for RMH CBM operations totaled $80,793,000 for 2003 compared to $14,750,000 from the acquisition date through December 31, 2002. - Revenue of $11,601,000 from the addition of ten new CBM bases throughout 2003 and one new base in the second quarter of 2002. - Price increase of approximately 10% for all CBM operations effective November 1, 2002. - Decrease in flight volume for bases open longer than one year. Excluding the impact of the RMH acquisition and the addition of the new bases discussed above, total flight volume for CBM operations decreased 2.1% in 2003, compared to the prior year. The decrease in flight volume is primarily attributed to adverse weather conditions in the first half of 2003 which prevented operation of the aircraft. - - HBM - Flight revenue increased $36,949,000, or 71.9%, to $88,362,000 for the following reasons: - Acquisition of RMH. Flight revenue for RMH's HBM operations totaled $44,089,000 for 2003 compared to $8,946,000 from the acquisition date through December 31, 2002. - Incremental revenue of approximately $939,000 generated in 2003 by the addition of one new contract in the second quarter of 2002 and one in the third quarter of 2002. - Annual price increases in the majority of contracts based on changes in the Consumer Price Index. - Flight volume for all contracts, excluding RMH contracts and the new contracts discussed above, decreased 2.0% for 2003 compared to the prior year. 15 FLIGHT CENTER COSTS increased $44,193,000, or 102.9%, to $87,151,000 for the year ended December 31, 2003, compared to 2002. Changes by business segment are as follows: - - CBM - Flight center costs increased $30,208,000, or 130.8%, to $53,301,000 for the following reasons: - Acquisition of RMH. Flight center costs related to RMH CBM operations totaled approximately $28,868,000 in 2003 compared to $5,108,000 from the acquisition date through December 31, 2002. - Approximately $5,147,000 for the addition of personnel and facilities for the new base locations described above. - Increases in salaries for merit pay raises. - Increases in the cost of medical and workers compensation insurance premiums paid by the Company. - - HBM - Flight center costs increased $13,985,000, or 70.4%, to $33,850,000 primarily due to the following: - Acquisition of RMH. Flight center costs related to RMH HBM operations totaled approximately $16,073,000 for 2003 compared to $2,964,000 from the acquisition date through December 31, 2002. - Incremental costs of $347,000 in 2003 for the addition of personnel and facilities for the new base locations described above. - Increases in salaries for merit pay raises. AIRCRAFT OPERATING EXPENSES increased $27,005,000, or 90.7%, for the year ended December 31, 2003, in comparison to 2002. The increase in costs is due to the following: - - Acquisition of RMH. Expenses for the RMH fleet totaled $25,009,000 for the year ended December 31, 2003, compared to $4,317,000 from the acquisition date through December 31, 2002. - - Addition of eleven aircraft for CBM operations and three aircraft for HBM operations in late 2002 or in 2003, resulting in an increase of approximately $1,791,000 for the year ended December 31, 2003. - - Addition of personnel in aircraft overhaul, avionics repair, purchasing, and aircraft records departments to support the increase in the size of the fleet resulting from the RMH acquisition. - - Decrease of approximately 15% in hull insurance rates effective July 2003. - - Annual price increases in the cost of spare parts and overhauls. AIRCRAFT RENTAL EXPENSE increased $5,668,000, or 91.8%, for the year ended December 31, 2003, in comparison to the year ended December 31, 2002. Expense for RMH aircraft under operating leases totaled $6,174,000 for the year ended December 31, 2003, compared to $1,185,000 from the acquisition date through December 31, 2002. Rental expense related to 11 other leased aircraft added to the Company's fleet totaled $903,000 for the year ended December 31, 2003. BAD DEBT EXPENSE increased $16,933,000, or 108.6%, for the year ended December 31, 2003, compared to 2002, due primarily to the acquisition of RMH. Bad debt related to RMH CBM operations totaled $20,702,000 for the year ended December 31, 2003, compared to $4,829,000 from the date of acquisition through December 31, 2002. Bad debt expense as a percentage of related net flight revenue increased from 21.6% in 2002 to 22.2% in 2003. Flight revenue is recorded net of Medicare/Medicaid discounts. The total allowance for expected uncollectible amounts, including contractual discounts and bad debts, increased from 37.6% of related gross flight revenue for the year ended December 31, 2002, to 43.6% in the year ended December 31, 2003. The increase in total allowances is related primarily to the acquisition of RMH, whose collection experience had historically been less favorable than other CBM operations owned by the Company, and to a decrease in the collection rate for other CBM operations. The Company believes the decrease in collection rates is also due to general recessionary trends in the economy. Bad debt expense related to HBM operations and Products Division was not significant in either 2003 or 2002. MEDICAL INTERIORS AND PRODUCTS SALES OF MEDICAL INTERIORS AND PRODUCTS increased $1,007,000, or 17.4%, from $5,796,000 for the year ended December 31, 2002, to $6,803,000 for the year ended December 31, 2003. Significant projects in 2003 included the manufacture of eight modular medical interiors for four commercial customers and eleven HH60L Multi-Mission Medevac Systems. Revenue by product line for the year ended December 31, 2003, was as follows: - - $2,927,000 - manufacture and installation of modular medical interiors - - $2,782,000 - manufacture of multi-mission interiors - - $1,094,000 - design and manufacture of other aerospace and medical transport products 16 Significant projects in 2002 included the completion of five HH-60L Multi-Mission Medevac Systems and development of the MEV litter system, both for the U.S. Army, and the manufacture of medical interiors or modular interior components for six commercial customers. Revenue by product line for the year ended December 31, 2002, was as follows: - - $2,452,000 - manufacture and installation of modular medical interiors - - $808,000 - manufacture of multi-mission interiors - - $2,536,000 - design and manufacture of other aerospace and medical transport products COST OF MEDICAL INTERIORS AND PRODUCTS increased by 11.4% for the year ended December 31, 2003, as compared to the previous year, reflecting the change in sales volume over the same period. The cost of medical interiors and products also includes certain fixed costs, such as administrative salaries and facilities rent, which do not vary with volume of sales. GENERAL EXPENSES DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION EXPENSE increased $4,614,000, or 68.9%, for the year ended December 31, 2003. Depreciation related to assets added as part of the RMH acquisition totaled $4,915,000 for the year ended December 31, 2003, compared to $983,000 from the date of the acquisition through December 31, 2002. The remainder of the increase for the year is related to the purchase of rotable and other equipment to support the expanded fleet and new bases of operation, as well as the refurbishment of medical interiors for existing aircraft. GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES increased $8,806,000, or 69.1%, for the year ended December 31, 2003, compared to the year ended December 31, 2002, reflecting the impact of the RMH transaction. On average, the Company doubled the number of personnel in each area to manage the expanded operations with the acquisition of RMH and the growth outlined above in the discussion of flight revenue. Also included in general and administrative expenses are program administration costs for CBM operations. Program administration costs for RMH's CBM operations totaled $3,094,000 for the year ended December 31, 2003. INTEREST EXPENSE increased $5,204,000, or 170.7%, for the year ended December 31, 2003, compared to 2002, primarily as a result of the RMH acquisition. Interest expense related to debt assumed or incurred in conjunction with the RMH acquisition totaled $6,847,000 for the year ended December 31, 2003, compared to $1,303,000 from the acquisition date through December 31, 2002. The Company recorded INCOME TAX EXPENSE of $3,263,000 in 2003 and $3,299,000 in 2002, both at an effective rate of 39%. LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES The Company had working capital of $48,849,000 as of December 31, 2004, compared to $43,682,000 at December 31, 2003. The change in working capital position is primarily attributable to the following: - - Increase of $3,070,000 in net receivables consistent with the increased revenue for the CBM division resulting from new base expansions and increases in flight volume. - - Decrease of $7,702,000 in short-term accrued overhaul and parts replacement costs liabilities, due to the change in the method of accounting for major engine and airframe component overhaul costs from the accrual method of accounting to the direct expense method. Effective January 1, 2004, the Company reversed its major overhaul accrual for all owned and leased aircraft. - - Increase of $4,387,000 in deferred income tax liabilities, primarily due to the change in the method of accounting for major engine and airframe component overhaul costs from the accrual method of accounting to the direct expense method. Previously, the accrual method of accounting for engine and airframe component overhaul costs resulted in a deferred tax asset, which had both a current and long-term component. 17 CASH REQUIREMENTS Debt and Other Long-term Obligations The following table outlines the Company's contractual obligations as of December 31, 2004 (amounts in thousands): Less than 1 After 5 Total year 1-3 years 4-5 years years ------------------------------------------------------- Long-term debt $ 95,017 12,020 61,719 18,845 2,433 Less: interest payments (1) 16,283 5,979 8,998 1,251 55 ------------------------------------------------------- Principal payments 78,734 6,041 52,721 17,594 2,378 ------------------------------------------------------- Capital leases 722 454 268 -- -- Less: interest (63) (44) (19) -- -- ------------------------------------------------------- Net present value 659 410 249 -- -- ------------------------------------------------------- Operating leases 112,649 18,232 33,828 28,763 31,826 Aircraft purchase commitments 72,290 11,915 15,975 22,200 22,200 ------------------------------------------------------- Total $264,332 36,598 102,773 68,557 56,404 ======================================================= (1) Interest payments include an estimate of variable-rate interest on the Company's senior revolving credit facility and two notes with principal balances totaling $2,127,000 as of December 31, 2004. Variable interest was estimated using the weighted average rate in effect as of December 31, 2004, for each note and the weighted average balance outstanding against the revolving credit facility during 2004. Repayment of debt and capital lease obligations as well as operating lease agreements constitute the Company's primary long-term commitments to use cash. Balloon payments on long-term debt are due as follows: - $17,468,000 in 2006 - $23,997,000 in 2007 - $7,414,000 in 2008 - $1,918,000 in 2009 - $772,000 in 2010 OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS Residual Value Guarantees The Company has entered into various aircraft operating leases under which it provides residual value guarantees to the lessor. As of December 31, 2004, the undiscounted maximum amount of potential future payments under the guarantees is $3,648,000. No amounts have been accrued for any estimated losses with respect to the guarantees, since it is not probable that the residual value of the aircraft will be less than the amounts stipulated in the guarantee. The assessment of whether it is probable that the Company will be required to make payments under the terms of the guarantee is based on current market data and the Company's actual and expected loss experience. Aircraft Purchase Commitments Prior to acquisition by the Company, RMH entered into a commitment agreement to take delivery of eight aircraft for approximately $16,000,000. As of December 31, 2004, the Company had taken delivery of all aircraft under the agreement. 18 Prior to the acquisition, RMH entered into a commitment agreement to take delivery of ten aircraft for approximately $16,600,000. As of December 31, 2004, four aircraft with a total value of approximately $6,500,000 remained to be delivered and the deposit and related note payable associated with this commitment totaled $347,000. In March 2004, the Company entered into a commitment agreement to purchase 10 Eurocopter EC135 helicopters for approximately $34,300,000, with deliveries scheduled through the first quarter of 2005. As of December 31, 2004, the Company had taken delivery of seven helicopters under the agreement. In July 2004, the Company entered into a commitment agreement to purchase 15 Bell 427 helicopters for approximately $55,500,000, beginning in 2007, with a minimum of three deliveries per year. The agreement provides for special incentives, including a trade-in option for up to fifteen Bell 222 helicopters, with minimum guaranteed trade-in values. The Company intends to place the new EC135's and Bell 427's primarily into existing bases and to either sell the aircraft which are replaced or redeploy them into the backup fleet. Typically the Company has financed aircraft acquired under these or similar commitments through operating lease agreements. Letter of Credit In August 2004, the Company entered into a $1,208,000 letter of credit with a financial institution to securitize an aircraft leased by the Company under an operating lease agreement. Because the aircraft is operated in Puerto Rico, the lessor is unable to perfect its security interest against the aircraft. The letter of credit perpetually renews for consecutive one-year terms through the end of the lease agreement in July 2010 or until the aircraft is moved from Puerto Rico and reduces the available borrowing capacity under the Company's senior revolving credit facility described below. SOURCES AND USES OF CASH The Company had cash and cash equivalents of $2,603,000 at December 31, 2004, compared to $5,574,000 at December 31, 2003. Cash generated by operations increased to $15,381,000 in 2004 from $4,403,000 in 2003. Receivable balances, net of bad debt expense, increased $3,070,000 in 2004 compared to $21,436,000 in 2003 despite the continued growth in operations. The smaller increase reflects the decline in the overall collection rate for receivables in 2004 compared to 2003 and the results of the Company's efforts to improve the pace of collections. Total cash collected against CBM receivable balances was $135.7 million in 2004, compared to $92.8 million in 2003. Cash used for investing activities totaled $11,893,000 in 2004, compared to $8,197,000 in 2003. Equipment acquisitions in 2004 consisted primarily of medical interior and avionics installations, information systems hardware and software, and rotable equipment. In 2004 the Company received $1,600,000 from the sale of two of its aircraft and approximately $1,300,000 from the refund of deposits for the purchase of aircraft, primarily through the arrangement of long-term operating lease financing. Equipment acquisitions in 2003 consisted primarily of medical interior and avionics installations, upgrades for existing equipment, and rotable equipment. Financing activities used $6,459,000 in 2004, compared to generating $7,958,000 in 2003. The Company used proceeds from new note agreements originated in 2004 and 2003 to refinance existing debt with higher interest rates and to fund the acquisition of new software systems and other capital expenditures. Primary uses of cash in both 2004 and 2003 consisted of payments for long-term debt and capital lease obligations. In 2003, the Company issued 1.2 million shares of common stock at $8 per share in a private placement transaction. Net proceeds, after syndication and other costs, were $8,855,000 and were used primarily to fund current operations. Senior Revolving Credit Facility In October 2002, the Company entered into a $35 million senior revolving credit facility with certain lenders to finance a portion of the purchase price and related closing costs for the RMH acquisition and to provide working capital and letter of credit availability for future activities of the Company. Borrowings under the credit facility are secured by substantially all of the Company's non-aircraft assets, including accounts receivable, inventory, 19 equipment and general intangibles. The facility matures October 16, 2006 but can be prepaid at any time, subject to payment of an early termination fee ranging from .25% to 1% if the termination occurs prior to October 16, 2005. Indebtedness under the credit facility bears interest, at the Company's option, at either (i) the higher of the federal funds rate plus 0.50% or the prime rate as announced by the lenders plus an applicable margin ranging from 0 to 0.75% or (ii) a rate equal to LIBOR plus an applicable margin ranging from 1.75% to 3.00%. As of December 31, 2004, the weighted average interest rate on the outstanding balance against the line was 4.72%. The amount of borrowings permitted under the credit facility is based on a borrowing base comprised of (i) 75% of accounts receivable from Medicare, Medicaid, insurance companies and community-based payers and 85% of other accounts receivable, and (ii) the lesser of (A) 60% of inventory valued at the lower of cost or market, (B) 85% of inventory valued at liquidation value, or (C) $15 million. At December 31, 2004, $35,000,000 was available under the credit facility, and $14,719,000 was drawn against the line. Payment obligations under the credit facility accelerate upon the occurrence of defined events of default, including the following: failure to pay principal or interest or to perform covenants under the credit facility or other indebtedness; events of insolvency or bankruptcy; failure to timely discharge judgments of $250,000 or more; failure to maintain the first priority status of liens under the credit facility; levy against a material portion of the Company's assets; default under other indebtedness; suspension of material governmental permits; interruption of operations at any Company facility that has a material adverse effect; and a change of control in the Company. The credit facility contains various covenants that limit, among other things, the Company's ability to create liens, declare dividends, make loans and investments, enter into real property leases exceeding specified expenditure levels, make any material change to the nature of the Company's business, enter into any transaction with affiliates other than on arms' length terms, prepay indebtedness, enter into a merger or consolidation, or sell assets. The credit facility also places limits on the amount of new indebtedness, operating lease obligations, and unfinanced capital expenditures which the Company can incur in a fiscal year. The Company is required to maintain certain financial ratios as defined in the credit facility. As of December 31, 2004, the Company was in compliance with the covenants of the credit facility. Subordinated Debt On October 16, 2002, the Company issued $23 million in subordinated notes to Prudential Capital Partners, L.P. and Prudential Capital Partners Management Fund, L.P. (together, the Subordinated Lenders) to finance the acquisition of RMH. The notes are unsecured and provide for quarterly payment of interest only at 12% per annum, with all principal due October 16, 2007. With certain exceptions as defined in the notes, the notes may not be prepaid until January 1, 2005, and prepayments after January 1, 2005, will be at a declining premium. The securities purchase agreement entered into in connection with the notes contains various covenants that limit, among other things, the Company's ability to create liens, declare dividends, make certain loans, enter into real property leases exceeding specified expenditure levels, make any material change to the nature of the Company's business, enter into any transaction with affiliates other than on arms' length terms, prepay indebtedness, enter into a merger or consolidation, sell or discount receivables, or sell assets. The purchase agreement also places limits on the amount of new indebtedness, operating lease obligations, and unfinanced capital expenditures which the Company can incur in a fiscal year. The Company is required to maintain certain financial ratios as defined in the purchase agreement. As of December 31, 2004, the Company was in compliance with the covenants. Payment obligations under the subordinated notes accelerate upon the occurrence of defined events of default, including the following: failure to pay principal or interest or to perform covenants under the notes and related purchase agreement or other indebtedness; events of insolvency or bankruptcy; failure to timely discharge judgments of $500,000 or more; failure to file and keep effective a registration statement relating to the warrants issued to the Subordinated Lenders; and a change of control in the Company. Under an amendment to the agreement, the Company accrued an amendment fee of $500,000 in 2004 in exchange for the elimination of a financial covenant for the duration of the agreement. The fee is expected to be paid in the first quarter of 2005. 20 Other Notes In January 2004 the Company originated a note payable of $1,039,000 with interest at 5.08% to refinance existing debt with a higher interest rate and to fund the acquisition of computer equipment and other capital expenditures; the note is payable through January 2010. In March 2004 the Company originated a note payable of $7,492,000 with interest at 5.60% to refinance existing debt with a higher interest rate; the note is payable through April 2010. In December 2004 the Company originated a note payable of $1,953,000 with interest at 5.36% to refinance the balloon payment due under a capital lease obligation. The note is payable through December 2010. New Community-based Operations Opening a new community-based operation typically requires an investment in an additional aircraft, aviation and medical personnel, and crew quarters. The Company may take possession of the additional aircraft up to three months prior to the commencement of operations in order to retrofit the aircraft for medical transport. Staff may also be hired a month in advance of the operation start date. Because of the delay between date of transport and collection of receivables from the patients or their insurers, new community-based operations may not produce positive cash flow during at least the first three months of operation. Other Sources As of December 31, 2004, the Company held unencumbered aircraft with a net book value of $9.0 million and has additional equity in other encumbered aircraft which could be utilized as collateral for borrowing funds as an additional source of working capital if necessary. The Company also has $19,073,000 unused capacity on its senior revolving credit facility. The Company believes that these borrowing resources, coupled with favorable results of operations, will allow the Company to meet its obligations in the coming year. OUTLOOK FOR 2005 The statements contained in this Outlook are based on current expectations. These statements are forward-looking, and actual results may differ materially. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements. Community-Based Model The Company opened CBM operations at a new location in Kentucky during the fourth quarter of 2004. In the first quarter of 2005, the Company purchased the operations of a hospital-based program in northern California and expanded it from one base to two. CBM flight volume at all other locations during 2005 is expected to be consistent with historical levels, subject to seasonal, weather-related fluctuations. The Company continues to evaluate opportunities to expand the CBM model in other communities. Hospital-Based Model In the fourth quarter of 2004, the Company expanded two existing contracts in Colorado and North Carolina to additional satellite bases. The Company expects similar expansions to satellite locations under four other existing contracts during the second quarter of 2005. Twelve hospital contracts are due for renewal in 2005. One was renewed for a 5-year term during the first quarter of 2005, and renewals on the remaining eleven contracts are still pending. The Company expects 2005 flight activity for continuing hospital contracts to remain consistent with historical levels. Products Division As of December 31, 2004, the Company was continuing the production of 13 HH-60L units and 19 MEV units for the U.S. Army, a multi-mission interior for the Los Angeles County Fire Department, and two modular medical interiors for a commercial customer. Remaining revenue for all contracts in process as of December 31, 2004, is estimated at $2.1 million. 21 The current U.S. Army Aviation Modernization Plan defines a requirement for 180 HH-60L Multi-Mission Medevac units in total over an unspecified number of years. The Company has already completed 15 HH-60L units under the program, in addition to the 13 currently under contract. The U.S. Army has also forecasted a requirement for a total of 119 MEV units over 4 years; the Company has previously delivered 63 units, in addition to the 19 units currently under contract. There is no assurance that orders for additional units will be received in future periods. All Segments In the last six months of 2004 the Company implemented new finance and accounting and new dispatch software and expects to implement new software for several other major information technology systems in 2005. The majority of the cost of new systems is expected to be financed through capital and operating lease agreements. During the first quarter of 2005, the Company reached an agreement to amend to its senior revolving credit facility. The amendment extends the maturity of the revolving credit facility to April 2010 and includes a $20 million term loan, the proceeds of which will be used to retire the Company's 12% subordinated debt. The terms and conditions of the senior revolving credit facility remain relatively unchanged under the amendment. The term loan will be payable through April 2010 and will bear interest, at the Company's option, at either (i) the higher of the federal funds rate plus 0.50% or the prime rate as announced by the lenders plus an applicable margin ranging from 0.50% to 1.50% or (ii) a rate equal to LIBOR plus an applicable margin ranging from 2.75% to 3.75%. Payments will consist of interest only during the first year with the principal payable as follows: $6 million in each of years 2 and 3, $2 million in each of years 4 and 5, and $4 million at maturity. The Company expects to write off approximately $2.0 million in debt origination costs and note discount related to the subordinated debt and to pay a prepayment penalty of approximately $1.4 million. While there are certain conditions that must be met in order to finalize the amendment, the Company expects to meet those conditions either late in the first quarter or early in the second quarter of 2005. Closing costs associated with the amendment are estimated to be $300,000. There can be no assurance that the Company will continue to maintain flight volume or current collection rates on receivables for CBM operations, renew operating agreements for its HBM operations, or generate new profitable contracts for the Products Division. RISK FACTORS Actual results achieved by the Company may differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including but not limited to, those discussed above in "Outlook for 2005" and those described below. - - Flight volume - All CBM revenue and approximately 35% of HBM revenue is dependent upon flight volume. Approximately 35% of the Company's total operating expenses also vary with number of hours flown. Poor visibility, high winds, and heavy precipitation can affect the safe operation of aircraft and therefore result in a reduced number of flight hours due to the inability to fly during these conditions. Prolonged periods of adverse weather conditions could have an adverse impact on the Company's operating results. Typically, the months from November through February tend to have lower flight volume due to weather conditions and other factors, resulting in lower CBM operating revenue during these months. Flight volume for CBM operations can also be affected by the distribution of calls among competitors by local government agencies and the entrance of new competitors into a market. - - Collection rates - The Company responds to calls for air medical transport without pre-screening the creditworthiness of the patient. The CBM division invoices patients and their insurers directly for services rendered and recognizes revenue net of estimated contractual allowances. The level of bad debt expense is driven by collection rates on these accounts. Changes in estimated contractual allowances and bad debts are recognized based on actual collections in subsequent periods. Collectibility is affected by the number of uninsured or indigent patients transported and is, therefore, primarily dependent upon the health of the U.S. economy. A significant or sustained downturn in the U.S. economy could have an adverse impact on the Company's bad debt expense. 22 - Highly leveraged balance sheet - The Company is obligated under debt facilities providing for up to approximately $104.8 million of indebtedness, of which approximately $84.5 million was outstanding at December 31, 2004. If the Company fails to meet its payment obligations or otherwise defaults under the agreements governing indebtedness, the lenders under those agreements will have the right to accelerate the indebtedness and exercise other rights and remedies against the Company. These rights and remedies include the rights to repossess and foreclose upon the assets that serve as collateral, initiate judicial foreclosure against the Company, petition a court to appoint a receiver for the Company, and initiate involuntary bankruptcy proceedings against the Company. If lenders exercise their rights and remedies, the Company's assets may not be sufficient to repay outstanding indebtedness, and there may be no assets remaining after payment of indebtedness to provide a return on common stock. - Restrictive debt covenants - The subordinated notes and senior credit facility, into which the Company entered to finance the acquisition of RMH, both contain restrictive financial and operating covenants, including restrictions on the Company's ability to incur additional indebtedness, to exceed certain annual capital expenditure limits, and to engage in various corporate transactions such as mergers, acquisitions, asset sales and the payment of cash dividends. These covenants will restrict future growth through the limitation on capital expenditures and acquisitions, and may adversely impact the Company's ability to implement its business plan. Failure to comply with the covenants defined in the agreements or to maintain the required financial ratios could result in an event of default and accelerate payment of the principal balances due under the subordinated notes and the senior credit facility. Given factors beyond the Company's control, such as interruptions in operations from unusual weather patterns not included in current projections, there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to remain in compliance with financial covenants in the future, or that, in the event of non-compliance, the Company will be able to obtain waivers from the lenders, or that to obtain such waivers, the Company will not be required to pay lenders significant cash or equity compensation. - Employee unionization - In September 2003, the Company's pilots voted to be represented by a collective bargaining unit, the Office and Professional Employees International Union. Negotiations on a collective bargaining agreement have continued since early 2004, and a mediator was appointed in the fourth quarter of 2004 to assist with resolving differences between the parties. Other employee groups may also elect to be represented by unions in the future. Although the Company believes that current salary and benefits arrangements are competitive with others within the industry, the impact of a collective bargaining agreement on the cost of operations has not yet been determined. - Governmental regulation - The air medical transportation services and products industry is subject to extensive regulation by governmental agencies, including the Federal Aviation Administration, which impose significant compliance costs on the Company. In addition, reimbursement rates for air ambulance services established by governmental programs such as Medicare directly affect CBM revenue and indirectly affect HBM revenue from customers. Changes in laws or regulations or reimbursement rates could have a material adverse impact on the Company's cost of operations or revenue from flight operations. In January 2005 the Company experienced two fatal accidents which are under investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board. The outcome of these investigations and the potential impact on the Company's operations cannot yet be ascertained. - Compliance with corporate governance and public disclosure regulations - New laws, regulations, and standards relating to corporate governance and public disclosure-including the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, new SEC regulations, and NASDAQ National Market rules-are subject to varying interpretations in many cases due to lack of specificity. Their application may evolve over time as new guidance is provided by regulatory and governing bodies, which may result in continuing uncertainty regarding compliance matters and higher costs necessitated by ongoing revisions to disclosure and governance practices. The Company's efforts to maintain high standards of corporate governance and public disclosure in compliance with evolving laws and regulations have resulted in, and are likely to continue to result in, increased general and administrative expenses and a diversion of management's time and attention from revenue-generating activities to compliance activities. In particular, compliance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, which requires the Company to include management and auditor reports on internal controls as part of its annual report, has required commitment of significant financial and managerial resources. In addition, board members, the chief executive officer, and chief financial officer could face an increased risk of personal liability in connection with the performance of their duties. As a result, the Company may have difficulty attracting and retaining qualified 23 board members and executive officers. If efforts to comply with new or changed laws, regulations, and standards differ from the activities intended by regulatory or governing bodies due to ambiguities related to practice, the Company's reputation may be harmed. - Internal controls - The Company is required by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 to include management and auditor reports on internal controls as part of its annual report. Management concluded that internal control over financial reporting was effective at December 31, 2004, and the Company's independent auditors attested to that conclusion. There can be no assurance that material weaknesses in internal controls over financial reporting will not be discovered in the future or that the Company and its independent auditors will be able to conclude that internal control over financial reporting is effective in the future. Although it is unclear what impact failure to comply fully with Section 404 or the discovery of a material weakness in internal controls over financial reporting would have on the Company, it may subject the Company to regulatory scrutiny and result in additional expenditures to meet the requirements, a reduced ability to obtain financing, or a loss of investor confidence in the accuracy of the Company's financial reports. - Competition - HBM operations face significant competition from several national and regional air medical transportation providers for contracts with hospitals and other healthcare institutions. In addition to the national and regional providers, CBM operations also face competition from smaller regional carriers and alternative air ambulance providers such as sheriff departments. Operators generally compete on the basis of price, safety record, accident prevention and training, and the medical capability of the aircraft. The Company's competition in the aircraft interior design and manufacturing industry comes primarily from three companies based in the United States and three in Europe. Competition is based mainly on product availability, price, and product features, such as configuration and weight. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to continue to compete successfully for new or renewing contracts in the future. - Fuel costs - Fuel accounted for 2.2% of total operating expenses for the year ended December 31, 2004. Both the cost and availability of fuel are influenced by many economic and political factors and events occurring in oil-producing countries throughout the world, and fuel costs fluctuate widely. Recently the price per barrel of oil has been at an all-time high. The Company cannot predict the future cost and availability of fuel. The unavailability of adequate fuel supplies could have an adverse effect on the Company's cost of operations and profitability. Generally, the Company's HBM customers pay for all fuel consumed in medical flights. However, the Company's ability to pass on increased fuel costs for CBM operations may be limited by economic and competitive conditions and by reimbursement rates established by Medicare, Medicaid, and insurance providers. - Aviation industry hazards and insurance limitations - Hazards are inherent in the aviation industry and may result in loss of life and property, thereby exposing the Company to potentially substantial liability claims arising out of the operation of aircraft. The Company may also be sued in connection with medical malpractice claims arising from events occurring during a medical flight. Under HBM operating agreements, hospital customers have agreed to indemnify the Company against liability arising out of medical malpractice claims and to maintain insurance covering such liability, but there can be no assurance that a hospital will not challenge the indemnification rights or will have sufficient assets or insurance coverage for full indemnity. In CBM operations, Company personnel perform medical procedures on transported patients, which may expose the Company to significant direct legal exposure to medical malpractice claims. The Company maintains general liability aviation insurance, aviation product liability coverage, and medical malpractice insurance, and believes that the level of coverage is customary in the industry and adequate to protect against claims. However, there can be no assurance that it will be sufficient to cover potential claims or that present levels of coverage will be available in the future at reasonable cost. A limited number of hull and liability insurance underwriters provide coverage for air medical operators. A significant downturn in insurance market conditions could have a material adverse effect on the Company's cost of operations. Approximately 33% of any increases in hull and liability insurance may be passed through to the Company's HBM customers according to contract terms. In addition, the loss of any aircraft as a result of accidents could cause both significant adverse publicity and interruption of air medical services to client hospitals, which could adversely affect the Company's operating results and relationship with such hospitals. 24 - Foreign ownership - Federal law requires that United States air carriers be citizens of the United States. For a corporation to qualify as a United States citizen, the president and at least two-thirds of the directors and other managing officers of the corporation must be United States citizens and at least 75% of the voting interest of the corporation must be owned or controlled by United States citizens. If the Company is unable to satisfy these requirements, operating authority from the Department of Transportation may be revoked. Furthermore, under certain loan agreements, an event of default occurs if less than 80% of the voting interest is owned or controlled by United States citizens. As of December 31, 2004, the Company was aware of one foreign person who, according to recent public securities filings, is believed to hold approximately 10.1% of outstanding Common Stock. Because the Company is unable to control the transfer of its stock, it is unable to assure that it can remain in compliance with these requirements in the future. - Acquisitions and integration - The Company has grown significantly through acquisitions in the past and will continue to pursue acquisitions in the future. With any large acquisition, a significant effort is required to assimilate the operations, financial and accounting practices, and MIS systems, and to integrate key personnel from the acquired business. Acquisitions may cause disruptions in Company operations and divert management's attention from day-to-day operations. The Company may not realize the anticipated benefits of past or future acquisitions, profitability may suffer due to acquisition-related costs or unanticipated liabilities, and the Company's stock price may decrease if the financial markets consider the acquisitions to be inappropriately priced. - Dependence on third party suppliers - The Company currently obtains a substantial portion of its helicopter spare parts and components from Bell and AEC, because its fleet is composed primarily of Bell and Eurocopter aircraft, and maintains supply arrangements with other parties for its engine and related dynamic components. Based upon the manufacturing capabilities and industry contacts of Bell, AEC, and other suppliers, the Company believes it will not be subject to material interruptions or delays in obtaining aircraft parts and components but does not have an alternative source of supply for Bell, AEC, and certain other aircraft parts. Failure or significant delay by these vendors in providing necessary parts could, in the absence of alternative sources of supply, have a material adverse effect on the Company. Because of its dependence upon Bell and AEC for helicopter parts, the Company may also be subject to adverse impacts from unusually high price increases which are greater than overall inflationary trends. Increases in the Company's monthly and hourly flight fees billed to its HBM customers may be limited to changes in the consumer price index. As a result, an unusually high increase in the price of parts may not be fully passed on to the Company's HBM customers. - Employee recruitment and retention - An important aspect of the Company's operations is the ability to hire and retain employees who have advanced aviation, nursing, and other technical skills. In addition, hospital contracts typically contain minimum certification requirements for pilots and mechanics. Employees who meet these standards are in great demand and are likely to remain a limited resource in the foreseeable future. If the Company is unable to recruit and retain a sufficient number of these employees, the ability to maintain and grow the business could be negatively impacted. - Department of Defense funding - Several of the projects which have historically been significant sources of revenue for the Products Division, including HH-60L and MEV systems, are dependent upon Department of Defense funding. Failure of the U.S. Congress to approve funding for the production of additional HH-60L or MEV units could have a material adverse impact on Products Division revenue. CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES The Company's consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The preparation of these financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. 25 On an on-going basis, management evaluates its estimates and judgments, including those related to revenue recognition, uncollectible receivables, deferred income taxes, aircraft overhaul costs, and depreciation and residual values. Management bases its estimates and judgments on historical experience and on various other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. Management believes the following critical accounting policies affect its more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of its consolidated financial statements. Revenue Recognition Fixed flight fee revenue under the Company's operating agreements with hospitals is recognized monthly over the terms of the agreements. Flight revenue relating to patient transports is recognized upon completion of the services. Revenue and accounts receivable are recorded net of estimated contractual allowances under agreements with third-party payers (i.e., Medicare and Medicaid). Estimates of contractual allowances are initially determined based on historical discount percentages for Medicare and Medicaid patients and adjusted periodically based on actual discounts. If actual discounts realized are more or less than those projected by management, adjustments to contractual allowances may be required. Based on related flight revenue for the year ended December 31, 2004, a change of 1% in the percentage of estimated contractual discounts would have resulted in a change of approximately $2,599,000 in flight revenue. Revenue related to fixed fee medical interior and products contracts is recorded as costs are incurred using the percentage of completion method of accounting. The Company estimates the percentage of completion based on costs incurred to date as a percentage of an estimate of the total costs to complete the project. Losses on contracts in process are recognized when determined. If total costs to complete a project are greater or less than estimated, the gross margin on the project may be greater or less than originally recorded under the percentage of completion method. Uncollectible Receivables The Company responds to calls for air medical transports without pre-screening the credit worthiness of the patient. Uncollectible trade receivables are charged to operations using the allowance method. Estimates of uncollectible receivables are determined monthly based on historical collection rates and adjusted monthly thereafter based on actual collections. If actual future collections are more or less than those projected by management, adjustments to allowances for uncollectible accounts may be required. There can be no guarantee that the Company will continue to experience the same collection rates that it has in the past. Based on related net flight revenue for the year ended December 31, 2004, a change of 1% in the percentage of estimated uncollectible accounts would have resulted in a change of approximately $1,777,000 in bad debt expense. Deferred Income Taxes In preparation of the consolidated financial statements, the Company is required to estimate income taxes in each of the jurisdictions in which it operates. This process involves estimating actual current tax exposure together with assessing temporary differences resulting from differing treatment of items, such as depreciable assets, for tax and accounting purposes. These differences result in deferred tax assets and liabilities, which are included in the consolidated balance sheets. The Company then assesses the likelihood that deferred tax assets will be recoverable from future taxable income and records a valuation allowance for those amounts it believes are not likely to be realized. Establishing or increasing a valuation allowance in a period increases income tax expense. The Company considers estimated future taxable income, tax planning strategies, and the expected timing of reversals of existing temporary differences in assessing the need for a valuation allowance against deferred tax assets. In the event the Company were to determine that it would not be able to realize all or part of its net deferred tax assets in the future, an adjustment to the valuation allowance would be charged to income in the period such determination was made. Likewise, should the Company determine that it would be able to realize its deferred tax assets in the future in excess of its net recorded amount, an adjustment to the valuation allowance would increase income in the period such determination was made. 26 Aircraft Overhaul Costs The Company operates under an FAA-approved continuous inspection and maintenance program. The Company accounts for maintenance activities on the direct expense method. Under this method, commencing January 1, 2004, all maintenance costs are recognized as expense as costs are incurred. Prior to January 1, 2004, the Company accrued for major engine and airframe component overhaul costs based on usage of the aircraft component over the period between overhauls or replacements in advance of performing the maintenance services. Depreciation and Residual Values In accounting for long-lived assets, the Company makes estimates about the expected useful lives, projected residual values and the potential for impairment. Estimates of useful lives and residual values of aircraft are based upon actual industry experience with the same or similar aircraft types and anticipated utilization of the aircraft. Changing market prices of new and used aircraft, government regulations and changes in the Company's maintenance program or operations could result in changes to these estimates. Long-lived assets are evaluated for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of long-lived assets is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to future net cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS In December 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued FASB Statement No. 123R (Statement 123R), Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation, an amendment of FASB Statement No. 123. Statement 123R requires recognition of the grant-date fair value of stock options and other equity-based compensation issued to employees in the income statement and is effective for interim or annual periods beginning after June 15, 2005. Statement 123R provides for either a modified prospective or modified retrospective transition method for adopting the statement. The Company has not yet determined which transition method it will apply nor the impact of adopting Statement 123R on its financial position or results of operations. In December 2004, the FASB issued FASB Statement No. 153 (Statement 153), Exchange of Nonmonetary Assets - an amendment of APB Opinion No. 29. Statement 153 eliminates certain exceptions provided for by APB Opinion No. 29 and instead requires that an exchange of nonmonetary assets be accounted for at fair value, including recognition of gain or loss, if the exchange has commercial substance and the fair value is determinable within reasonable limits. The statement sets forth the criteria to be considered in determining whether the exchange has commercial substance. Statement 153 is effective for exchanges occurring in fiscal periods beginning after June 15, 2005. The Company does not expect the adoption of Statement 153 to have a material impact on its financial position or results of operations. ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK Market risk is the potential loss arising from adverse changes in market rates and prices, such as foreign currency exchange and interest rates. All of the Company's product sales and related receivables are payable in U.S. dollars. The Company is subject to interest rate risk on its debt obligations and notes receivable, most of which have fixed interest rates, except $14,719,000 outstanding against the line of credit and $2,127,000 in notes payable. Based on the amounts outstanding at December 31, 2004, the annual impact of a 1% change in interest rates would be approximately $168,000. Interest rates on these instruments approximate current market rates as of December 31, 2004. Periodically the Company enters into interest rate risk hedges to minimize exposure to the effect of an increase in interest rates. As of December 31, 2004, the Company was party to one interest rate swap agreement. The swap agreement provides that the Company will pay a 3.62% fixed interest rate on $990,000 of notional principal and receive a floating interest rate (LIBOR plus 2.50%) on the same amount of notional principal from the counterparty. ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA See Consolidated Financial Statements attached hereto. 27 ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE None. ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES DISCLOSURE CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the Company's reports filed or submitted to the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified by the Commission's rules and forms, and that information is accumulated and communicated to management, including the principal executive and financial officers (referred to in this report as the Certifying Officers), as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Management, under the supervision and with the participation of the Certifying Officers, evaluated the effectiveness of disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2004, pursuant to Rule 13a-15(b) under the Exchange Act. Based on that evaluation, the Certifying Officers have concluded that, as of December 31, 2004, the Company's disclosure controls and procedures were effective. CHANGES IN INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING There were no significant changes in the Company's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the most recently completed fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal control over financial reporting. MANAGEMENT'S REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended). Management assessed the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2004, using criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) and concluded that the Company maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2004. 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 and procedures may deteriorate. Management's assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2004, has been audited by KPMG LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report which is included herein. ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION None. 28 PART III ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT Summary information concerning the Company's directors and executive officers is set forth below: CLASS/YEAR TERM AS DIRECTOR NAME Age Position EXPIRES(1) - ---- --- -------- ---------- George W. Belsey 65 Chairman of the Board I/2007 Ralph J. Bernstein 47 Director III/2006 Samuel H. Gray 67 Director II/2005 C. David Kikumoto 55 Director I/2007 MG Carl H. McNair, Jr. (Ret.) 70 Director I/2007 Lowell D. Miller, Ph.D. 71 Director III/2006 Morad Tahbaz 49 Director II/2005 Paul H. Tate 54 Director III/2006 Aaron D. Todd 43 Director and Chief Executive Officer II/2005 David L. Dolstein 56 Senior Vice President, Community Based Services N/A Neil M. Hughes 46 Senior Vice President, Air Medical Services N/A Trent J. Carman 44 Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Treasurer N/A Sharon J. Keck 38 Chief Accounting Officer and Controller N/A __________________ (1) Refers to the calendar year in which the annual meeting of stockholders is contemplated to be held and at which the term of the pertinent director class shall expire. MR. GEORGE W. BELSEY has served as Chairman of the Board of Directors since April 1994, having been appointed a director in December 1992. Mr. Belsey was appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Company effective June 1, 1994, and served in that capacity until July 2003. Mr. Belsey previously served in executive and administrative positions at the American Hospital Association and at a number of hospitals. He received his Bachelor's Degree in Economics from DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana, and holds a Master's Degree in Business Administration from George Washington University, Washington, D.C. MR. RALPH J. BERNSTEIN became a director in February 1994. He is a co-founder and General Partner of Americas Partners, an investment firm. He holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics from the University of California at Davis. Mr. Bernstein currently serves on the board of Empire Resorts, Inc. MR. SAMUEL H. GRAY became a director in March 1991. From 1989 to 2000, he was Chief Executive Officer of The Morris Consulting Group, Inc., a health care industry consulting firm, and since 2000 has been a Vice President of the Mattson Jack Group, Inc., also a health care consulting firm. In 1959 Mr. Gray received a Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Florida. MR. C. DAVID KIKUMOTO became a director in June 2004. Mr. Kikumoto is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Denver Management Advisors. From 1999 to 2000, Mr. Kikumoto was President and Vice Chairman at Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Colorado and Nevada, and from 1987 to 1999, he served in several roles at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Colorado, Nevada and New Mexico. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from the University of Utah, pursued graduate studies at the University of Utah, and graduated from the Executive Development Program at the University of Chicago. 29 MAJOR GENERAL CARL H. MCNAIR, JR. (RET.) was appointed to the board of directors in March 1996. In April 1999, General McNair retired from his position as Corporate Vice President and President, Enterprise Management, for DynCorp, a technical and professional services company headquartered in Reston, Virginia, where he was responsible for the company's core businesses in facility management, marine operations, test and evaluation, administration and security, and biotechnology and health services. He currently serves as Special Assistant, Government Relations and Legislative Affairs, to the Vice President of Corporate Communications and Marketing for the Computer Sciences Corporation, and as Chairman of the Board of Managers for DynPort Vaccine Co., L.L.C., a subsidiary of Computer Sciences Corporation. General McNair has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Engineering from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, a Bachelor's Degree and Master's Degree in Aerospace Engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology, and a Master of Science Degree in Public Administration from Shippensburg University. DR. LOWELL D. MILLER was named a director in June 1990. Since 1989, Dr. Miller has been involved with various scientific endeavors including a pharmaceutical consulting business. The University of Missouri awarded Dr. Miller a Bachelor of Science Degree in 1957 as well as a Master's Degree in Biochemistry in 1958 and a Biochemistry Doctorate Degree in 1960. MR. MORAD TAHBAZ was elected to the board of directors in February 1994. He is president and a director of Empire Resorts, Inc. and is a co-founder and General Partner of Americas Partners, an investment firm. Mr. Tahbaz received his Bachelor's Degree in Philosophy and Fine Arts from Colgate University and attended the Institute for Architecture and Urban Studies in New York City. He holds a Master's Degree in Business Administration from Columbia University Graduate School of Business. MR. PAUL H. TATE was elected to the board of directors in September 2003. Mr. Tate is the Chief Financial Officer and a Senior Vice President of Frontier Airlines. Prior to joining Frontier in October 2001, he was Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for Colgan Air, Inc., a U.S. Airways Express carrier. Mr. Tate served as Senior Vice President-Finance and Chief Financial Officer of Atlantic Coast Airlines Holdings, Inc. from 1997 to 2000, and has served in financial officer positions with Midway Airlines and Reno Air, Inc. Mr. Tate, a certified public accountant, received his undergraduate degree in economics and his Master's Degree in Business Administration from Northwestern University in 1973 and 1975, respectively. MR. AARON D. TODD became a director in June 2002 and Chief Executive Officer in July 2003. He joined the Company as Chief Financial Officer in July of 1995 and was appointed Secretary and Treasurer during that same year. He was appointed Chief Operating Officer in January 2002. Mr. Todd holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting from Brigham Young University. MR. DAVID L. DOLSTEIN joined the Company with the July 1997 acquisition of Mercy Air Service, Inc. He serves as Senior Vice President, Community Based Services and as President of Mercy Air Service, a continuation of his responsibilities preceding the acquisition. Mr. Dolstein received a Bachelor of Science degree in 1974 from Central Missouri State University with postgraduate studies in industrial safety. MR. NEIL M. HUGHES was named Senior Vice President of the Air Medical Services Division in January 2003 and Vice President in April 2000, and has served as Director of Operations since August 1998. Since 1992, Mr. Hughes has served the Company in several other positions including line pilot, area manager, training captain/check airman and operations manager. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Hughes was a commercial pilot and for sixteen years served in a number of capacities in the Royal Navy. Mr. Hughes has a Bachelor's Degree in International Affairs and is a graduate of the Royal Naval College, Dartmouth, England. MR. TRENT J. CARMAN joined the Company in April 2003 and is the Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Treasurer. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Carman served as Chief Financial Officer of StorNet, Inc. from January 2000 until April 2003, and served in various capacities including Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for United Artists Theatre Circuit, Inc., from June 1992 until January 2000. Mr. Carman received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting from Utah State University and holds a Master's Degree in Business Administration-Finance from Indiana University. 30 MS. SHARON KECK joined the Company as Accounting Manager in October 1993 and was named Controller in July of 1995. She assumed the additional position of Chief Accounting Officer in January 2002. Ms. Keck holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting from Bob Jones University. AUDIT COMMITTEE The Audit Committee currently consists of Messrs. McNair (Chairman), Kikumoto and Tate. The Board of Directors has determined that all members of the Audit Committee are "independent" within the meaning of the listing standards of the NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. and the Securities and Exchange Commission rules governing audit committees. In addition, the Board of Directors has determined that Mr. Tate meets the SEC criteria of an "audit committee financial expert" as defined under the applicable SEC rules. CODE OF ETHICS The Company has adopted a Code of Ethics for directors, officers, and employees. This Code of Ethics is intended to promote honest and ethical conduct, compliance with applicable laws, full and accurate reporting, and prompt internal reporting of violations of the code, as well as other matters. The Company will provide a copy of its Code of Ethics to any person without charge, upon written request to: Secretary, Air Methods Corporation, 7301 S. Peoria, Englewood, Colorado 80112. COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 16(A) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 Based on its review of the copies of reports filed and upon written representations, the Company believes that during 2004, executive officers, directors and ten percent stockholders of the Company were in compliance with their filing requirements under Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, except for the following: - - Form 4 related to one option exercise transaction for General Carl McNair. The Form 4 was sent for filing within the timeframe required; however, a notice of failure to transmit via EDGAR was received the following day and the Form 4 was successfully transmitted later that following day. - - Forms 4 related to option grants to Neil Hughes, Aaron Todd, Trent Carman, David Dolstein, and Sharon Keck. The late filing was due to an administrative delay between grant date and delivery of formal option grant agreements to the executive officers. For each officer, the filing related to a single option grant transaction. 31 ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION SUMMARY COMPENSATION The following table sets forth the cash compensation payable by the Company that was earned by the Chief Executive Officer and each of the other executive officers whose annual salary and bonus for 2004 exceeded $100,000 (the "Named Executive Officers") for the years 2002, 2003 and 2004. ANNUAL COMPENSATION LONG TERM COMPENSATION ------------------- ---------------------- OTHER ANNUAL SECURITIES ALL OTHER BONUS COMP UNDERLYING COMPENSATION ----- ---- ------------ NAME AND POSITION YEAR SALARY ($) ($)(1) ($) OPTIONS (#) ($)(2) - ----------------- ---- ---------- ------ --- ----------- ------ Aaron D. Todd(3) 2004 331,538 9,600(6) -- 150,000 14,606 Chief Executive Officer 2003 285,000 -- -- 50,000 17,250 2002 224,423 217,500 -- 125,000 12,093 David L. Dolstein 2004 216,538 6,300(6) -- 115,000 10,631 Senior Vice President, 2003 190,000 -- -- 25,000 13,131 Community Based 2002 169,692 118,000 -- 75,000 10,149 Services Neil M. Hughes 2004 217,308 6,300(6) -- 90,000 11,906 Senior Vice-President, 2003 190,000 -- -- -- 13,027 Air Medical Services 2002 169,500 99,000 -- 50,000 10,500 Division Trent J. Carman(5) 2004 212,500 6,200(6) -- 75,000 10,625 Chief Financial Officer, 2003 128,571 -- -- 37,500 2,625 Secretary and Treasurer and Controller 2002 -- -- -- -- -- Sharon J. Keck 2004 155,192 5,000(6) -- 60,000 7,881 Chief Accounting Officer 2003 135,000 -- -- -- 8,117 and Controller 2002 109,615 50,000(4) -- 15,000 6,546 (1) Unless otherwise noted, bonus for 2002 consists of an incentive bonus payable under the Incentive Bonus Plan adopted in March 2002 and a discretionary bonus related to the acquisition and integration of Rocky Mountain Holdings. All 2002 bonuses were paid in 2003. (2) Consists of employer matching contributions under the Company's 401(k) Plan. (3) Mr. Todd was appointed Chief Executive Officer effective July 1, 2003. (4) Consists of a discretionary bonus related to the acquisition and integration of Rocky Mountain Holdings and 2002 fiscal performance. (5) Mr. Carman joined the Company in April 2003. (6) Consists of a discretionary bonus related to management's performance in 2004. All 2004 bonuses were paid in 2005. 32 OPTION GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR The following table provides certain summary information concerning stock option grants for the Named Executive Officers during 2004. % OF TOTAL NUMBER OF SECURITIES OPTIONS GRANTED GRANT DATE UNDERLYING OPTIONS TO EMPLOYEES IN EXERCISE EXPIRATION PRESENT VALUE NAME GRANTED FISCAL YEAR PRICE DATE PER SHARE - ---- ------- ------------ ----- ---- --------- Aaron D. Todd 125,000 22% $ 8.98 01/01/10 $ 3.08(1) 25,000 4% $ 8.98 01/01/09 $ 2.24(2) David L. Dolstein 100,000 18% $ 8.98 01/01/10 $ 3.08(1) 15,000 3% $ 8.98 01/01/09 $ 2.24(2) Neil Hughes 75,000 13% $ 8.98 01/01/10 $ 3.08(1) 15,000 3% $ 8.98 01/01/09 $ 2.24(2) Trent J. Carman 60,000 11% $ 8.98 01/01/10 $ 3.08(1) 15,000 3% $ 8.98 01/01/09 $ 2.24(2) Sharon Keck 50,000 9% $ 8.98 01/01/10 $ 3.08(1) 10,000 2% $ 8.98 01/01/09 $ 2.24(2) (1) The present value is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model using the following assumptions: dividend yield of 0%, expected volatility of 32%, risk-free interest rate of 3.4% and expected option life of 5 years. (2) The present value is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model using the following assumptions: dividend yield of 0%, expected volatility of 32%, risk-free interest rate of 2.5% and expected option life of 3 years. AGGREGATED OPTION EXERCISES AND YEAR-END OPTION VALUES The following table provides certain summary information concerning stock option exercises during 2004 by, and option values as of December 31, 2004 for, the Named Executive Officers. NUMBER OF SECURITIES VALUE OF UNEXERCISED UNDERLYING UNEXERCISED IN-THE-MONEY SHARES OPTIONS AT FY-END (#) OPTIONS AT FY-END ($) ACQUIRED VALUE EXERCISABLE/ EXERCISABLE/ NAME ON EXERCISE (#) REALIZED ($) UNEXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE(1) - ---- --------------- ------------ ------------- ---------------- Aaron D. Todd -- -- 75,000/175,000 104,333/52,167 David L. Dolstein 60,000 312,720 38,332/126,668 52,165/26,085 Neil M. Hughes 2,000 10,718 53,000/101,667 117,836/20,416 Trent J. Carman -- -- 30,000/82,500 17,000/8,500 Sharon J. Keck -- -- 13,334/61,666 24,500/12,250 (1) Amounts represent the fair market value of the underlying common stock at December 31, 2004 of $8.60 per share less the exercise price. 33 DIRECTOR COMPENSATION The Company has adopted compensation and incentive benefit plans to enhance its ability to continue to attract, retain and motivate qualified persons to serve as directors of the Company. Effective January 1, 2004, the payments to the Company's non-employee directors, except for Mr. Belsey, were as follows: - Annual retainer of $12,000 - $1,000 per Board of Directors meeting - $600 per committee meeting for all committees except the Audit Committee - $1,000 per Audit Committee meeting (effective April 2004) - Fee per committee meeting for committee chairman as follows: $4,000 for Audit Committee, $3,000 for Compensation/Stock Option Committee, $2,000 for Nominating and Governance Committee and $1,000 for Finance/Strategic Planning Committee Each non-employee director may elect to receive shares of Common Stock in lieu of cash payments pursuant to the Company's Equity Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors. The Company also reimburses its non-employee directors for their reasonable expenses incurred in attending Board of Directors and committee meetings. Board members who are also officers do not receive any separate compensation nor fees for attending Board of Directors or committee meetings. A non-employee director is granted options for completion of each year of service, if the director has attended a minimum of 75% of all Board of Directors' and applicable committee meetings during that fiscal year. A year of service is defined as a fiscal year of the Company during which the non-employee director served on the Board of Directors for the entire fiscal year. On an annual basis after the date of the last Board meeting for the year, each qualified non-employee director receives a five-year option to purchase 10,000 shares, exercisable at the then-current fair market value of the Company's common stock. As of December 31, 2004, directors held options granted for director-related services to purchase a total of 145,000 shares of common stock. The Company entered into an Executive Consulting Agreement with Mr. Belsey effective July 1, 2003 for an initial term of five years. Under the agreement, Mr. Belsey agreed to serve as Chairman of the Board of Directors, at the pleasure of the Board of Directors, through the completion of the Annual Meeting of Stockholders in 2004. Upon expiration of that term of service and his re-election to the Board of Directors, Mr. Belsey was reappointed as Chairman through the Annual Meeting of Stockholders in 2007. Mr. Belsey also agreed to serve as a consultant with those responsibilities designated to him by the Board of Directors, for a consulting fee of $750,000, payable in equal annual installments from July 1, 2003 through June 30, 2007. This fee is payable regardless of the amount of time Mr. Belsey spends performing his services as Chairman and consultant, and whether or not he becomes disabled or dies during such period. In addition, the Company has agreed to pay Mr. Belsey cash compensation of $50,000 on each of July 1, 2003, January 1, 2004, and January 1, 2005, which Mr. Belsey intends to contribute to a personal retirement fund. During the term of this agreement and for a period of 18 months following the termination of the agreement with the Company, Mr. Belsey may not engage in any business which competes with the Company anywhere in the United States. In 2003 the Company purchased $50,000 life insurance policies for each nonemployee director who had served longer than one year, excluding Messrs. Belsey and McNair. A life insurance policy was purchased for Mr. Tate in 2004. The policies vest over two years, and, as of June 2004, participating directors, with the exception of Mr. Tate, were 50% vested. Effective December 22, 2003, an annuity policy was purchased on behalf of Mr. McNair in the amount of $50,000 in lieu of insurance policies purchased for other members of the Board of Directors. EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS The Company entered into an Employment Agreement with Mr. Todd effective July 1, 2003 for an initial term of two years, subject to successive one-year extensions. The agreement provides for annual compensation which was $320,000 in 2004 and may be terminated by either party upon 90 days' written notice, or immediately by the Company for cause. In the event the Company terminates the agreement without cause, Mr. Todd is entitled to severance payments for 18 months following termination at an annual rate equal to his highest cash compensation during any 12-month period of his employment. During the term of employment and for 18 months following the 34 termination of employment, Mr. Todd may not engage in any business which competes with the Company anywhere in the United States. The Company entered into an Employment Agreement with each of Mr. Carman, Mr. Dolstein, Mr. Hughes, and Ms. Keck effective January 1, 2003, with the exception of Mr. Carman's agreement, which was effective April 28, 2003. Each agreement is for an initial term of one year starting on the effective date, and subject to successive one-year extensions. Each of the agreements was extended for an additional year in 2004. The agreements provide for annual compensation which was $205,000, $210,000, $210,000, and $150,000, respectively, for 2004. Each agreement may be terminated either by the Company or by the employee upon 90 days' written notice, or immediately by the Company for cause. In the event the Company terminates an agreement without cause, the employee is entitled to severance payments for 12 months following termination at an annual rate equal to his highest cash compensation during any 12-month period of his employment. During the term of employment and for 12 months following the termination of employment, the employee may not engage in any business which competes with the Company anywhere in the United States. COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION COMPENSATION/STOCK OPTION COMMITTEE The Compensation/Stock Option Committee currently consists of Dr. Miller (Chairman) and Messrs. Bernstein and Gray. The Compensation/Stock Option Committee is responsible for making recommendations to the Board of Directors regarding executive compensation matters. The Board of Directors has determined that all members of the Compensation/Stock Option Committee are "independent" within the meaning of the NASDAQ Stock Market Inc.'s listing standards, except for Mr. Bernstein whom the Board of Directors has determined, based on exceptional and limited circumstances, should continue to serve on the Compensation/Stock Option Committee until the Company's 2005 annual meeting of stockholders. COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT The Compensation/Stock Option Committee is responsible for recommending and administering the Company's guidelines governing employee compensation. The Compensation/Stock Option Committee evaluates the performance of management, recommends compensation policies and levels, and makes recommendations concerning salaries and incentive compensation. Compensation Philosophy. The Company's executive compensation program is - ------------------------ designed to attract and retain executives capable of leading the Company to meet its business and development objectives and to motivate them to actions which will have the effect of increasing the long-term value of stockholder investment in the Company. The Compensation/Stock Option Committee considers a variety of factors, both qualitative and quantitative, in evaluating the Company's executive officers and making compensation decisions. These factors include the compensation paid by comparable companies to individuals in comparable positions, the individual contributions of each officer to the Company, and most important, the progress of the Company towards its long-term objectives. At this point in the Company's development, objectives against which executive performance is gauged include the addition and retention of aeromedical service contracts, growth of its independent services model and Products Division, and the securing of necessary capital and financing to fund business expansion. Annual compensation for the Company's executive officers for 2004 consisted of base salary, discretionary bonuses, and 401(k) match. Compensation of the Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Todd assumed the Office of - ------------------------------------------------ Chief Executive Officer of the Company on July 1, 2003. Accordingly, the Compensation/Stock Option Committee acted to increase Mr. Todd's annual salary to $300,000 effective July 1, 2003, and subsequently increased Mr. Todd's annual salary to $320,000 effective January 1, 2004. In determining the compensation to be awarded to Mr. Todd for his services to the Company, the Committee considered salaries paid to chief executive officers at competitive companies. 35 Base Salary. The base salary for each executive officer, including the Chief - ------------ Executive Officer, is established initially by the Committee pursuant to written employment agreements. Base salaries are reviewed annually by the Committee and adjusted based on the Committee's review of salaries paid to executives at competitive companies, the particular executive officer's performance and length of time in a certain position and the Company's financial condition and overall performance and profitability. Incentive Bonus. In order to provide additional incentive to executive officers - ---------------- to achieve corporate objectives within operating divisions and the Company as a whole, the Compensation Committee adopted a plan in June 2004 which provided for payment of year-end bonuses. The dollar amount of those bonuses was stated as a percentage of base salary and was conditional to achievement of corporate objectives. Because the objectives were not met in 2004, no bonuses were awarded according to the terms of the plan. However, in the first quarter of 2005, the Committee approved discretionary bonuses, as provided for within the plan, to certain executive officers of the Company related to management's performance under difficult circumstances in 2004. Section 162(m) Compliance. Under Section 162(m) of the Code, federal income tax - -------------------------- deductions of publicly traded companies may be limited to the extent total compensation (including base salary, annual bonus, restricted stock awards, stock option exercises and non-qualified benefits) for certain executive officers exceeds $1 million in any one year. The Compensation Committee intends to design the Company's compensation programs so that the total compensation paid to any employee will not exceed $1 million in any one year. By the Compensation/Stock Option Committee: Lowell D. Miller, Ph.D., Chairman Ralph J. Bernstein Samuel H. Gray STOCK PERFORMANCE GRAPH The following graph compares the Company's cumulative total stockholder return for the period from December 31, 2000 through December 31, 2004, against the Standard & Poor's 500 Index (S&P 500) and "peer group" companies in industries similar to those of the Company. The S&P 500 is a widely used composite index reflecting the returns of five hundred publicly traded companies in a variety of industries. Peer Group Index returns reflect the transfer of the value on that date of the initial $100 investment into a peer group consisting of all publicly traded companies in SIC Group 4522: "Non-scheduled Air Transport." The Company believes that this Peer Group is its most appropriate peer group for stock comparison purposes due to the limited number of publicly traded companies engaged in medical air or ground transport and because this Peer Group contains a number of companies with capital costs and operating constraints similar to those of the Company. ANNUAL RETURN PERCENTAGE Years Ending ------------------------------------------- Dec-00 Dec-01 Dec-02 Dec-03 Dec-04 =========================================== AIR METHODS CORPORATION 24.00% 60.77% -8.49% 57.52% -4.23% S & P 500 -9.11% -11.88% -22.10% 28.68% 10.88% PEER GROUP 71.62% .71% 13.31% 9.67% 23.29% INDEXED RETURNS Base Years Ending Period -------------------------------------- Dec-99 Dec-00 Dec-01 Dec-02 Dec-03 Dec-04 =============================================- AIR METHODS CORPORATION 100.00 124.00 199.36 182.43 287.36 275.20 S & P 500 100.00 90.89 80.09 62.39 80.29 89.02 PEER GROUP 100.00 171.62 172.83 195.82 214.76 264.78 36 COMPARISON OF 5 YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN * [GRAPHIC OMITED] [GRAPHIC OMITED] * $ 100 invested on 12/31/99 in stock or index-including reinvestment of dividends. Fiscal year ending December 31. PEER GROUP COMPANIES (SIC = 4522) Air Methods Corporation Airnet Systems Income Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings, Inc. Elite Flight Solutions, Inc. Offshore Logistics, Inc. Petroleum Helicopters, Inc. 37 ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT EQUITY COMPENSATION PLANS The following equity compensation plans have been previously approved by the Company's shareholders: - 1995 Employee Stock Option Plan - provides for the granting of incentive stock options and nonqualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, and supplemental stock bonuses to employees as well as third party consultants and directors. - Nonemployee Director Stock Option Plan - provides for the granting of nonqualified stock options to nonemployee directors of the Company upon the completion of each full year of service. - Equity Compensation Plan for Nonemployee Directors - provides for the issuance of shares of common stock to nonemployee directors, at their election, in lieu of cash as payment for their director services. Information regarding the securities under all of these plans was as follows as of December 31, 2004: Number of securities remaining available for Number of securities to be future issuance under equity issued upon exercise of Weighted-average exercise compensation plans outstanding options, price of outstanding options, (excluding securities Plan Category warrants, and rights warrants, and rights reflected in column (a)) (a) (b) (c) - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Equity compensation plans approved by security holders 1,035,814 $ 8.03 200,607 Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders -- N/A -- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total 1,035,814 $ 8.03 200,607 =========================================================================================== 38 SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT The following table sets forth, as of January 28, 2005, the beneficial ownership of the Company's outstanding Common Stock: (i) by each person who owns (or is known by the Company to own beneficially) more than 5% of the Common Stock, (ii) by each director and executive officer of the Company, and (iii) by all directors and executive officers as a group. Number Percentage of Name and Address of Shares Common Stock - ---------------- --------- ------------ George W. Belsey 80,686(1) * 7301 South Peoria Englewood, CO 80112 Ralph J. Bernstein 993,177(2) 8.64% 77 E. 77th St. New York, NY 10021 Trent J. Carman 35,000(3) * 7301 South Peoria Englewood, CO 80112 David L. Dolstein 91,940(4) * 1670 Miro Way Rialto, CA 92376 Samuel H. Gray 15,000(5) * 95 Madison Avenue Morristown, NJ 07960 Neil M. Hughes 75,665(6) * 7301 South Peoria Englewood, CO 80112 Sharon J. Keck 22,061(7) * 7301 South Peoria Englewood, CO 80112 David Kikumoto 3,000(8) * 6312 South Fiddler's Green Circle Suite 200 East Greenwood Village, CO 80111 MG Carl H. McNair, Jr. (Ret.) 55,637(9) * 11710 Plaza America Drive Reston, VA 20190-6010 Lowell D. Miller, Ph.D. 60,000(10) * 16940 Stonehaven Belton, MO 64012 Morad Tahbaz 175,183(11) 1.52% 77 E. 77th St. New York, NY 10021 39 Paul H. Tate 5,000(12) * 7001 Tower Road Denver, CO 80249 Aaron D. Todd 112,508(13) * 7301 South Peoria Englewood, CO 80112 All Directors and Executive Officers as a group (13 persons) 1,624,857 (14) 14.13% Acquisitor Holdings (Bermuda) Ltd. Clarendon House 2 Church Street Hamilton HM 11, Bermuda 1,094,000(15) 9.52% FMR Corp. 82 Devonshire Street Boston, MA 02109 940,251(16) 8.18% Dimensional Fund Advisors 1299 Ocean Avenue, 11th Floor Santa Monica, CA 90401 680,621(17) 5.92% ___________________ * Less than one percent (1%) of Common Stock outstanding on January 28, 2005. (1) Consists of 80,686 shares directly owned by George and Phyllis Belsey. (2) Consists of (i) 30,000 shares subject to stock options exercisable within 60 days, (ii) 802,677 shares directly owned, (iii) 60,500 shares owned by Yasmeen Bernstein, Mr. Bernstein's spouse, and (iv) 100,000 shares subject to currently exercisable warrants held by Americas Partners, of which Mr. Bernstein is a general partner. (3) Consists of 35,000 shares subject to stock options exercisable within 60 days. (4) Consists of (i) 51,666 shares subject to stock options exercisable within 60 days, (ii) 40,000 shares directly owned; and (iii) 274 shares directly owned by David and Kathi Dolstein. (5) Consists of (i) 15,000 shares subject to stock options exercisable within 60 days. (6) Consists of (i) 998 shares directly owned, and (ii) 74,667 shares subject to stock options exercisable within 60 days. (7) Consists of (i) 21,667 shares subject to stock options exercisable within 60 days, and (ii) 394 shares directly owned. (8) Consists of 3,000 shares directly owned. (9) Consists of (i) 5,637 shares directly owned; (ii) 20,000 shares jointly owned with spouse, Jo Ann McNair; and (iii) 30,000 shares subject to stock options exercisable within 60 days. (10) Consists of (i) 50,000 shares owned directly, and (ii) 10,000 shares subject to stock options exercisable within 60 days. (11) Consists of (i) 25,000 shares subject to stock options exercisable within 60 days, (ii) 50,183 shares directly owned, and (iii) 100,000 shares subject to currently exercisable warrants held by Americas Partners, of which Mr. Tahbaz is a managing director. (12) Consists of 5,000 shares subject to stock options exercisable within 60 days. (13) Consists of (i) 10,240 shares directly owned, (ii) 2,267 shares beneficially owned by Mr. Todd in the Company's 401(k) plan; and (iii) 100,001 shares subject to stock options exercisable within 60 days. (14) Includes (i) 398,001 shares subject to stock options exercisable within 60 days and (ii) 100,000 shares subject to currently exercisable warrants. (15) Based solely on Form 4 filed by the beneficial owner with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 29, 2004. (16) Based solely on Schedule 13G filed by the beneficial owner with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 14, 2005. (17) Based solely on Schedule 13G filed by the beneficial owner with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 9, 2005. 40 ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS None. ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES KPMG LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, audited the consolidated financial statements of the Company for the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003. In addition to retaining KPMG LLP to audit the consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2004, the Company and its subsidiaries retained KPMG LLP to provide other services. The aggregate fees incurred by the Company for audit, audit-related, tax and other services provided by KPMG LLP during the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003, were as follows: 2004 2003 ------------------ Audit fees $ 620,220 216,500 Audit-related fees 10,000 13,000 Tax fees 80,325 90,070 All other fees -- -- ------------------ Total $ 710,545 319,570 ================== Audit fees include fees for the audit of the annual consolidated financial statements, review of unaudited consolidated financial statements included in quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, the audit of management's assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2004, review of Securities and Exchange Commission filings, consents, registration statements, comfort letters and other services normally provided by the accountant in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements for those years. Audit-related fees include assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of financial statements. These services include the audits of employee benefit plans and other services not directly impacting the audit of the annual financial statements and related services. Tax fees include tax services related to the preparation and/or review of, and consultations with respect to, federal, state, and local tax returns. All other fees include fees for services not considered audit or tax services. KPMG LLP performed no such services during 2004 or 2003. PRE-APPROVAL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES All audit and non-audit services performed by the Company's independent certified public accountants during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004, were pre-approved by the Audit Committee, which concluded that the provision of such services by KPMG, LLP was compatible with the maintenance of that firm's independence in the conduct of its auditing functions. The Audit Committee's pre-approval policy provides for categorical pre-approval of specified audit and permissible non-audit services. In addition, audit services not covered by the annual engagement letter, audit-related services and tax services require the specific pre-approval by the Audit Committee prior to engagement. In addition, services to be provided by the independent certified public accountants that are not within the category of pre-approved services must be pre-approved by the Audit Committee prior to engagement, regardless of the service being requested or the dollar amount involved. The Audit Committee may delegate pre-approval authority to one or more of its members. The member or members to whom such authority is delegated are required to report any pre-approval decisions to the Audit Committee at the meeting of the Audit Committee following the decision. The Audit Committee is not permitted to delegate to management its responsibilities to pre-approve services to be performed by the Company's independent certified public accountants. 41 PART IV ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K (a) Documents filed as part of the report: 1. Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this report: Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm Consolidated Balance Sheets, December 31, 2004 and 2003 Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003, and 2002 Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003, and 2002 Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003, and 2002 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 2. Financial Statement Schedules included in Item 8 of this report: Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003, and 2002 All other supporting schedules have been omitted because the information required is included in the financial statements or notes thereto or have been omitted as not applicable or not required. 3. Exhibits: EXHIBIT NUMBER DESCRIPTION OF EXHIBITS - ------- ----------------------- 2.1 Membership Interest Purchase Agreement, dated June 6, 2002, among Air Methods Corporation; Rocky Mountain Holdings, LLC; Rocky Mountain Holdings, Inc.; and AMC Helicopters, Inc. (8) 3.1 Certificate of Incorporation (1) 3.2 Amendments to Certificate of Incorporation (2) 3.3 By-Laws as Amended (11) 4.1 Specimen Stock Certificate (2) 4.2 Common Stock Purchase Warrant, dated October 16, 2002, between Air Methods Corporation and Prudential Capital Partners Management Fund, L.P. (8) 4.3 Common Stock Purchase Warrant, dated October 16, 2002, between Air Methods Corporation and Prudential Capital Partners, L.P. (8) 4.4 Form of Common Stock Purchase Agreement, dated November 26, 2003 (9) 10.1 1995 Air Methods Corporation Employee Stock Option Plan (4) 10.2 Amendment to 1995 Air Methods Corporation Employee Stock Option Plan (6) 10.3 Nonemployee Director Stock Option Plan, as amended (5) IV-1 10.4 Equity Compensation Plan for Nonemployee Directors, adopted March 12, 1993 (3) 10.5 Employment Agreement between the Company and Aaron D. Todd, dated July 1, 2003 (7) 10.6 Employment Agreement between the Company and David L. Dolstein, dated January 1, 2003 (7) 10.7 Employment Agreement between the Company and Neil M. Hughes, dated January 1, 2003 (7) 10.8 Consulting Agreement between the Company and George W. Belsey, dated April 15, 2003 (7) 10.9 Employment Agreement between the Company and Trent J. Carman, dated April 28, 2003 (7) 10.10 Employment Agreement between the Company and Sharon J. Keck, dated January 1, 2003 (7) 10.11 Revolving Credit and Security Agreement, dated October 16, 2002, among Air Methods Corporation; Rocky Mountain Holdings, LLC; Mercy Air Service, Inc.; ARCH Air Medical Service, Inc.; and PNC Bank N.A. (8) 10.12 Securities Purchase Agreement, dated October 16, 2002, between Air Methods Corporation; Rocky Mountain Holdings, LLC; Mercy Air Service, Inc.; ARCH Air Medical Service, Inc.; Prudential Capital Partners, L.P.; and Prudential Capital Partners Management Fund, L.P. (8) 10.13 Fourth Amendment/Waiver dated November 12, 2003, to Securities Purchase Agreement dated October 16, 2002, between Air Methods Corporation; Rocky Mountain Holdings, LLC; Mercy Air Service, Inc.; ARCH Air Medical Service, Inc.; and Prudential Capital Partners, L.P. and Prudential Capital Partners Management Fund, L.P7 10.14 Stockholders' Agreement by and between Air Methods Corporation, Prudential Capital Partners, L.P.; and Prudential Capital Partners Management Fund, L.P. (8) 10.15 Senior Subordinated Note, dated October 16, 2002, between Air Methods Corporation; Rocky Mountain Holdings, LLC; Mercy Air Service, Inc.; ARCH Air Medical Service, Inc.; and Prudential Capital Partners, L.P. (8) 10.16 Senior Subordinated Note, dated October 16, 2002, between Air Methods Corporation; Rocky Mountain Holdings, LLC; Mercy Air Service, Inc.; ARCH Air Medical Service, Inc.; and Prudential Capital Partners Management Fund, L.P. (8) 18.1 Letter from KPMG LLP regarding Change in Accounting Principle10 21 Subsidiaries of Registrant 23 Consent of KPMG LLP 31.1 Chief Executive Officer Certification adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 IV-2 31.2 Chief Financial Officer Certification adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 32 Certification adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (b) Reports on Form 8-K: None ____________________ 1 Filed as an exhibit to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 33-15007), as declared effective on August 27, 1987, and incorporated herein by reference. 2 Filed as an exhibit to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1992, and incorporated herein by reference. 3 Filed as an exhibit to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-8 (Registration No. 33-65370), filed with the Commission on July 1, 1993, and incorporated herein by reference. 4 Filed as an exhibit to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 1995, and incorporated herein by reference. 5 Filed as an exhibit to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1993, and incorporated herein by reference. 6 Filed as an exhibit to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2003, and incorporated herein by reference. 7 Filed as an exhibit to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2003, and incorporated herein by reference. 8 Filed as an exhibit to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated October 16, 2002, and incorporated herein by reference. 9 Filed as an exhibit to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated December 3, 2003, and incorporated herein by reference. 10 Filed as an exhibit to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2004, and incorporated herein by reference. 11 Filed as an exhibit to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003, and incorporated herein by reference. IV-3 SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized. AIR METHODS CORPORATION Date: March 16, 2005 By: /s/Aaron D. Todd ------------- ------------------------------------ Aaron D. Todd Chief Executive Officer and Director Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant in the capacities and on the date indicated. /s/ Aaron D. Todd Chief Executive Officer March 16, 2005 - ----------------------- Aaron D. Todd /s/ Trent J. Carman Chief Financial Officer March 16, 2005 - ----------------------- Secretary and Treasurer Trent J. Carman /s/ Sharon J. Keck Chief Accounting Officer March 16, 2005 - ----------------------- Sharon J. Keck /s/ George W. Belsey Chairman of the Board March 16, 2005 - ----------------------- George W. Belsey /s/ Ralph J. Bernstein Director March 16, 2005 - ----------------------- Ralph J. Bernstein /s/ Samuel H. Gray Director March 16, 2005 - ----------------------- Samuel H. Gray /s/ David Kikumoto Director March 16, 2005 - ----------------------- David Kikumoto /s/ Carl H. McNair, Jr. Director March 16, 2005 - ----------------------- Carl H. McNair, Jr. /s/ Lowell D. Miller Director March 16, 2005 - ----------------------- Lowell D. Miller, Ph.D. /s/ Morad Tahbaz Director March 16, 2005 - ----------------------- Morad Tahbaz /s/ Paul H. Tate Director March 16, 2005 - ----------------------- Paul H. Tate IV-4 AIR METHODS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES TABLE OF CONTENTS - ------------------------------------------------------------ Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm's Reports F-1 Consolidated Financial Statements - --------------------------------- CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS, December 31, 2004 and 2003 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F-3 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS, Years Ended December 31, 2004, 2003, and 2002. . . . . F-5 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY, Years Ended December 31, 2004, 2003, and 2002 . . . . F-7 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS, Years Ended December 31, 2004, 2003, and 2002 . . . . F-8 NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, December 31, 2004 and 2003. . . . . . . . . . . . . . F-11 Schedules - --------- II - VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS Years Ended December 31, 2004, 2003, and 2002 . . . . F-34 All other supporting schedules are omitted because they are inapplicable, not required, or the information is presented in the consolidated financial statements or notes thereto. IV-5 Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm ------------------------------------------------------- The Board of Directors Air Methods Corporation: We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Air Methods Corporation and subsidiaries (the Company) as of December 31, 2004 and 2003, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders' equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2004. 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 Air Methods Corporation and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2004 and 2003, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2004, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. As discussed in Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company changed its method of accounting for major engine and airframe component overhaul costs from the accrual method of accounting to the direct expense method in 2004. We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the effectiveness of Air Methods Corporation's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2004, 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 March 15, 2005, expressed an unqualified opinion on management's assessment of, and the effective operation of, internal control over financial reporting. /s/ KPMG LLP Denver, Colorado March 15, 2005 F-1 Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm ------------------------------------------------------- The Board of Directors Air Methods Corporation: We have audited management's assessment, included in the accompanying Management's Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting appearing under Item 9A, that Air Methods Corporation and subsidiaries (the Company) maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2004, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Air Methods Corporation'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. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on management's assessment and an opinion on the effectiveness of 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, evaluating management's assessment, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control, and 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, management's assessment that Air Methods Corporation maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2004, is fairly stated, in all material respects, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Also, in our opinion, Air Methods Corporation maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2004, 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 Air Methods Corporation and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2004 and 2003, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders' equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2004, and our report dated March 15, 2005, expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements. Our report refers to a change in accounting for major engine and airframe component overhaul costs from the accrual method of accounting to the direct expense method in 2004. /s/ KPMG LLP Denver, Colorado March 15, 2005 F-2 AIR METHODS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS DECEMBER 31, 2004 AND 2003 (AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE AMOUNTS) - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2004 2003 --------- -------- ASSETS - ------ Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 2,603 5,574 Current installments of notes receivable 61 58 Receivables: Trade (note 5) 89,218 91,509 Less allowance for doubtful accounts (26,040) (30,301) --------- -------- 63,178 61,208 Other 4,520 3,420 --------- -------- 67,698 64,628 Inventories (note 5) 8,667 9,143 Work-in-process on medical interior and products contracts 645 145 Assets held for sale (note 5) 5,705 431 Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts (note 4) 2,938 2,249 Deferred tax asset (note 9) -- 105 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 2,686 1,653 --------- -------- Total current assets 91,003 83,986 --------- -------- Property and equipment (notes 5 and 6): Land 190 190 Flight and ground support equipment 137,742 149,568 Buildings and office equipment 11,805 10,436 --------- -------- 149,737 160,194 Less accumulated depreciation and amortization (52,985) (47,117) --------- -------- Net property and equipment 96,752 113,077 Goodwill (note 2) 6,485 6,485 Notes and other receivables, less current installments 572 1,426 Other assets, net of accumulated amortization of $2,108 and $1,347 at December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively 9,911 10,675 --------- -------- Total assets $204,723 215,649 ========= ======== (Continued) F-3 AIR METHODS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS, CONTINUED (AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE AMOUNTS) - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2004 2003 -------- -------- LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY - ------------------------------------ Current liabilities: Notes payable (note 5) $ 5,105 -- Current installments of long-term debt (note 5) 6,041 6,110 Current installments of obligations under capital leases (note 6) 410 2,886 Accounts payable 7,193 6,097 Accrued overhaul and parts replacement costs -- 7,702 Deferred revenue 3,883 2,898 Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts (note 4) 309 174 Accrued wages and compensated absences 3,668 6,015 Deferred income taxes (note 9) 4,387 -- Due to third party payers 2,867 1,642 Other accrued liabilities 8,291 6,780 -------- -------- Total current liabilities 42,154 40,304 Long-term debt, less current installments (note 5) 72,693 76,680 Obligations under capital leases, less current installments (note 6) 249 251 Accrued overhaul and parts replacement costs -- 26,107 Deferred income taxes (note 9) 8,284 5,151 Other liabilities 8,264 6,468 -------- -------- Total liabilities 131,644 154,961 -------- -------- Stockholders' equity (note 7): Preferred stock, $1 par value. Authorized 5,000,000 shares, none issued -- -- Common stock, $.06 par value. Authorized 16,000,000 shares; issued 10,997,380 and 10,817,594 shares at December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively 660 649 Additional paid-in capital 64,955 64,413 Retained earnings (accumulated deficit) 7,464 (4,374) Treasury stock at par, 4,040 shares at December 31, 2004 -- -- -------- -------- Total stockholders' equity 73,079 60,688 -------- -------- Commitments and contingencies (notes 5, 6, 10, and 12) Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $204,723 215,649 ======== ======== <FN> See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements. F-4 AIR METHODS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE AMOUNTS) - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Year Ended December 31 ---------------------- 2004 2003 2002 ---------- -------- -------- Revenue: Flight revenue (note 8) $ 265,697 234,687 123,534 Sales of medical interiors and products 7,300 6,803 5,796 Parts and maintenance sales and services 106 942 1,338 Gain on disposition of assets, net -- 23 -- ---------- -------- -------- 273,103 242,455 130,668 ---------- -------- -------- Operating expenses: Flight centers 100,460 87,151 42,958 Aircraft operations 59,916 56,776 29,771 Aircraft rental (note 6) 15,073 11,843 6,175 Cost of medical interiors and products sold 2,714 4,766 4,280 Cost of parts and maintenance sales and services 120 978 1,279 Depreciation and amortization 10,983 11,309 6,695 Bad debt expense 42,892 32,519 15,586 Loss on disposition of assets, net 242 -- 27 General and administrative 28,641 21,550 12,744 ---------- -------- -------- 261,041 226,892 119,515 ---------- -------- -------- Operating income 12,062 15,563 11,153 Other income (expense): Interest expense (7,856) (8,252) (3,048) Interest and dividend income 18 143 31 Loss on extinguishment of debt -- -- (101) Other, net 1,140 912 424 ---------- -------- -------- Income before income taxes 5,364 8,366 8,459 Income tax expense (note 9) (2,121) (3,263) (3,299) ---------- -------- -------- Income before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle 3,243 5,103 5,160 Cumulative effect of change in method of accounting for maintenance costs, net of income taxes (note 3) 8,595 -- -- ---------- -------- -------- Net income $ 11,838 5,103 5,160 ========== -======= ======== (Continued) F-5 AIR METHODS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS, CONTINUED (AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE AMOUNTS) - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Year Ended December 31 ---------------------- 2004 2003 2002 ----------- ----------- --------- Basic income per common share (note 7): Income before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle $ .30 .53 .56 Cumulative effect of change in method of accounting for maintenance costs, net of income taxes .79 -- -- ----------- ----------- --------- Net income $ 1.09 .53 .56 =========== =========== ========= Diluted income per common share (note 7): Income before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle $ .29 .51 .54 Cumulative effect of change in method of accounting for maintenance costs, net of income taxes .76 -- -- ----------- ----------- --------- Net income $ 1.05 .51 .54 =========== =========== ========= Pro forma results, assuming change in method of accounting for maintenance costs was applied retroactively (note 3): Net income $ 8,676 7,908 =========== ========= Basic income per common share $ .90 .86 =========== ========= Diluted income per common share $ .86 .83 =========== ========= Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic 10,894,863 9,665,278 9,184,421 =========== =========== ========= Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - diluted 11,314,827 10,052,989 9,478,502 =========== =========== ========= <FN> See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements. F-6 AIR METHODS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2004, 2003, AND 2002 (AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AMOUNTS) - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Retained Total Additional Earnings Stock- Common Stock Treasury Stock Paid-in (Accumulated holders' ------------ -------------- Shares Amount Shares Amount Capital Deficit) Equity ----------- -------- --------- -------- ----------- ------------- --------- BALANCES AT JANUARY 1, 2002 8,619,026 $ 517 37,005 $ (2) 50,665 (14,637) 36,543 Issuance of common shares for options and warrants exercised and services rendered 1,041,752 62 -- -- 5,580 -- 5,642 Purchase of treasury shares -- -- 150,794 (9) (1,118) -- (1,127) Retirement of treasury shares (172,099) (10) (172,099) 10 -- -- -- Net income -- -- -- -- -- 5,160 5,160 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- BALANCES AT DECEMBER 31, 2002 9,488,679 569 15,700 (1) 55,127 (9,477) 46,218 Issuance of common shares in private offering, net of syndication costs of $745 (note 7) 1,200,000 72 -- -- 8,783 -- 8,855 Issuance of common shares for options exercised and services rendered 163,776 10 -- -- 668 -- 678 Purchase of treasury shares -- -- 19,161 (1) (165) -- (166) Retirement of treasury shares (34,861) (2) (34,861) 2 -- -- -- Net income -- -- -- -- -- 5,103 5,103 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- BALANCES AT DECEMBER 31, 2003 10,817,594 649 -- -- 64,413 (4,374) 60,688 Issuance of common shares for options and warrants exercised 225,410 14 -- -- 992 -- 1,006 Purchase of treasury shares -- -- 49,664 (3) (450) -- (453) Retirement of treasury shares (45,624) (3) (45,624) 3 -- -- -- Net income -- -- -- -- -- 11,838 11,838 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- BALANCES AT DECEMBER 31, 2004 10,997,380 $ 660 4,040 $ -- 64,955 7,464 73,079 ================================================================================= <FN> See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements. F-7 AIR METHODS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS) - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Year Ended December 31 ---------------------- 2004 2003 2002 ------------------------------ Cash flows from operating activities: Net income $ 11,838 5,103 5,160 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation and amortization expense 10,983 11,309 6,695 Bad debt expense 42,892 32,519 15,586 Deferred income tax expense 2,130 3,280 2,985 Common stock options and warrants issued for services -- 75 40 Loss on extinguishment of debt -- -- 101 Loss (gain) on disposition of assets 242 (23) 27 Cumulative effect of change in method of accounting for maintenance (note 3) (8,595) -- -- Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions: Increase in receivables (45,962) (53,955) (21,279) Decrease in inventories 476 1,592 206 Decrease (increase) in prepaid expenses and other current assets (866) 708 437 Decrease (increase) in work-in-process on medical interior and products contracts and costs in excess of billings (1,189) (1,521) 176 Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and other accrued liabilities 1,063 80 (2,023) Increase in accrued overhaul and parts replacement costs -- 4,546 2,222 Increase in deferred revenue, billings in excess of costs, and other liabilities 2,369 690 987 ------------------------------ Net cash provided by operating activities 15,381 4,403 11,320 ------------------------------ Cash flows from investing activities: Acquisition of net assets of Rocky Mountain Holdings, LLC (note 2) -- -- (32,127) Acquisition of property and equipment (15,080) (7,996) (5,017) Proceeds from disposition and sale of equipment and assets held for sale 1,651 910 845 Decrease (increase) in notes and other receivables and other assets, net 1,536 (1,111) (2,845) ------------------------------ Net cash used by investing activities (11,893) (8,197) (39,144) ------------------------------ (Continued) F-8 AIR METHODS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS, CONTINUED (AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS) - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Year Ended December 31 ---------------------- 2004 2003 2002 ------------------------------ Cash flows from financing activities: Proceeds from issuance of common stock $ 1,006 9,458 3,131 Payments for purchases of common stock (453) (166) (1,127) Net borrowings (payments) under lines of credit (482) 2,647 12,554 Proceeds from long-term debt 10,484 8,235 30,670 Payments of long-term debt (14,106) (11,455) (18,495) Payments of capital lease obligations (2,908) (761) (337) ------------------------------ Net cash provided (used) by financing activities (6,459) 7,958 26,396 ------------------------------ Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents (2,971) 4,164 (1,428) Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 5,574 1,410 2,838 ------------------------------ Cash and cash equivalents at end of year $ 2,603 5,574 1,410 ============================== Interest paid in cash during the year $ 6,558 7,459 2,415 ============================== Income taxes paid in cash during the year $ 216 46 1,035 ============================== (Continued) F-9 AIR METHODS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS, CONTINUED (AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AMOUNTS) - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Non-cash investing and financing activities: As described in note 3, effective January 1, 2004, the Company changed its method of accounting for major engine and airframe component overhaul costs from the accrual method of accounting to the direct expense method. Accordingly, the Company reversed its major overhaul accrual totaling $33,809 for all owned and leased aircraft and reversed the remaining capitalized maintenance included in fixed assets relating to used aircraft purchases totaling $19,719, with the balance reflected as the cumulative effect of change in accounting principle of $8,595 ($14,090, net of income taxes of $5,495). In the year ended December 31, 2004, the Company settled a note payable totaling $288 by applying a purchase deposit against it. The Company also entered into a note payable of $336 to finance insurance policies and originated a capital lease obligation of $430 to finance the acquisition of equipment. In the year ended December 31, 2004, the Company entered into notes payable of $5,105 to finance the purchase of aircraft which are held for sale as of December 31, 2004. In the year ended December 31, 2004, the Company recorded a liability of $500 for the fee associated with the amendment to its subordinated debt agreement. In the year ended December 31, 2003, the Company settled notes payable totaling $2,604 in exchange for the aircraft securing the debt. The Company also entered into a note payable of $516 to finance insurance policies. In the year ended December 31, 2003, the Company sold a hangar in exchange for a note receivable totaling $315. In the year ended December 31, 2003, the Company entered into a capital lease obligation of $11 to finance the acquisition of telephone equipment. In the year ended December 31, 2003, the Company made adjustments to the preliminary purchase price allocation related to the acquisition of Rocky Mountain Holdings, LLC (RMH), which increased goodwill by $2,194. See Note 2 for further detail on the adjustments. In the year ended December 31, 2002, the Company issued warrants to purchase 443,224 shares of common stock to various lenders in conjunction with the debt incurred to acquire Rocky Mountain Holdings, LLC (RMH). The fair value of $2,198 was recorded as a discount to the face value of the related notes payable. In the year ended December 31, 2002, the Company issued warrants to purchase 100,000 shares of common stock to Americas Partners, a related party, for its services related to the acquisition of RMH. The fair value of $273 was recorded as a component of the cost of the RMH acquisition. In the year ended December 31, 2002, the Company recognized a liability of $2,600 as additional consideration for the purchase of RMH. Payment of the consideration is based on the collection of certain receivables and is considered reasonably certain. In the year ended December 31, 2002, the Company entered into a note payable totaling $1,290 to finance the buyout of a helicopter previously under an operating lease and into a capital lease obligation of $67 to finance the acquisition of communications equipment. In the year ended December 31, 2002, the Company repossessed an aircraft previously sold to a former franchisee in Brazil. The $418 balance of the Company's investment in the aircraft, consisting primarily of a note receivable from the franchisee, was reclassified in the consolidated financial statements as an asset held for sale. See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements. F-10 AIR METHODS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (1) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Basis of Financial Statement Presentation and Business Air Methods Corporation, a Delaware corporation, and its subsidiaries (Air Methods or the Company) serves as the largest provider of aeromedical emergency transport services and systems throughout the United States of America. The Company also designs, manufactures, and installs medical aircraft interiors and other aerospace and medical transport products for domestic and international customers. As described more fully in note 2, in October 2002, the Company acquired 100% of the membership interest of Rocky Mountain Holdings, LLC (RMH). RMH, Mercy Air Service, Inc. (Mercy Air), and LifeNet, Inc. (LifeNet) operate as wholly-owned subsidiaries of Air Methods. LifeNet was formerly known as ARCH Air Medical Service, Inc. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. The Company considers its critical accounting policies involving more significant judgments and estimates to be those related to revenue recognition, uncollectible receivables, deferred income taxes, aircraft overhaul costs, and depreciation and residual values. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Cash and Cash Equivalents For purposes of the consolidated statements of cash flows, the Company considers all highly liquid instruments with original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Cash equivalents of $3,733,000 and $377,000 at December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively, consist of short-term money market funds. Inventories Inventories are comprised primarily of expendable aircraft parts which are recorded at the lower of cost (average cost) or market. Work-in-Process on Medical Interior and Products Contracts Work-in-process on medical interior and products contracts represents costs to manufacture and install medical equipment and modify aircraft for third parties. When the total cost to complete a project under a fixed fee contract can be reasonably estimated, revenue is recorded as costs are incurred using the percentage of completion method of accounting. Losses on contracts in process are recognized when determined. F-11 AIR METHODS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (1) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES, CONTINUED Property and Equipment Hangars, equipment, and leasehold improvements are recorded at cost. Maintenance and repairs are expensed when incurred. Major modifications and costs incurred to place aircraft in service are capitalized. Improvements to helicopters and airplanes leased under operating leases are included in flight and ground support equipment in the accompanying financial statements. Leasehold improvements to hangar and office space are included in buildings and office equipment in the accompanying financial statements. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the shorter of the useful lives of the equipment or the lease term, as follows: Estimated Description Lives Residual value ----------- ------------ --------------- Buildings, including hangars 40 years 10% Helicopters, including medical equipment 8 - 25 years 10 - 25% Ground support equipment and rotables 5 - 10 years 0 - 10% Furniture and office equipment 3 - 10 years 0% Engine and Airframe Overhaul Costs The Company operates under an FAA-approved continuous inspection and maintenance program. The Company accounts for maintenance activities under the direct expense method. Under this method, commencing January 1, 2004, all maintenance costs are recognized as expense as costs are incurred. Prior to January 1, 2004, the Company accrued for major engine and airframe component overhaul costs based on usage of the aircraft component over the period between overhauls or replacements in advance of performing the maintenance services. See further discussion in Note 3. Goodwill The Company accounts for goodwill under Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Statement No. 142, Accounting for Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Statement 142). Under Statement 142, goodwill and certain identifiable intangible assets are not amortized, but instead are reviewed for impairment at least annually in accordance with the provisions of the statement. The Company did not recognize any losses related to impairment of existing goodwill during 2004. F-12 AIR METHODS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (1) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES, CONTINUED Long-lived Assets The Company periodically reviews long-lived assets, including intangible assets, for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of long-lived assets is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to future net cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. No impairment has been recognized in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. Assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less estimated selling costs. As of December 31, 2004, assets held for sale consisted of three aircraft, which the Company intends to sell within one year. Related debt is classified as short-term notes payable in the consolidated financial statements. One of the aircraft is no longer needed in the Company's operations and two are expected to be sold and leased back under operating leases. During the year ended December 31, 2004, the Company recognized a loss of $89,000 to reduce one of the aircraft to estimated fair value less selling costs. Revenue Recognition and Uncollectible Receivables Fixed fee revenue under the Company's operating agreements with hospitals is recognized monthly over the terms of the agreements. Revenue relating to emergency flights is recognized upon completion of the services. Revenue and accounts receivable are recorded net of estimated contractual allowances under agreements with third-party payers. Uncollectible trade receivables are charged to operations using the allowance method. Estimates of contractual allowances and uncollectible receivables are initially determined based on historical collection rates and adjusted periodically based on actual collections. F-13 AIR METHODS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (1) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES, CONTINUED Stock-based Compensation The Company accounts for its employee stock compensation plans as prescribed under Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees (APB Opinion 25). Because the Company grants its options at or above market value, no compensation cost has been recognized relating to the plans. Had compensation cost for the Company's stock-based compensation plans been determined based on the fair value at the grant dates for awards under those plans consistent with the provisions of Statement 123, the Company's net income and income per share would have been reduced to the pro forma amounts indicated below (amounts in thousands, except per share amounts): 2004 2003 2002 -------- ------ ------ Net income before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle: As reported $ 3,243 5,103 5,160 Less additional compensation expense, net of tax effect (492) (319) (736) ------------------------ Pro forma $ 2,750 4,784 4,424 ======================== Net income: As reported $11,838 5,103 5,160 Less additional compensation expense, net of tax effect (492) (319) (736) ------------------------ Pro forma $11,346 4,784 4,424 ======================== Basic income per share before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle: As reported $ .30 .53 .56 Pro forma .25 .49 .48 Basic net income per share: As reported $ 1.09 .53 .56 Pro forma 1.04 .49 .48 Diluted income per share before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle: As reported $ .29 .51 .54 Pro forma .24 .49 .46 Diluted net income per share: As reported $ 1.05 .51 .54 Pro forma 1.01 .49 .46 F-14 AIR METHODS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (1) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES, CONTINUED The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions used for grants in 2004, 2003, and 2002, respectively: dividend yield of 0% for all years; expected volatility of 33%, 32%, and 57%; risk-free interest rates of 3.2%, 2.4%, and 1.8%; and expected lives of 5 years, 3 years, and 3 years. The weighted average fair value of options granted during the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003, and 2002, was $2.91, $2.03, and $2.64, respectively. Income Taxes Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for future income tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred income tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. Income Per Share Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share is computed by dividing net income by all outstanding and potentially dilutive common shares during the period. Fair Value of Financial Instruments The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instruments: Cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, notes payable, accounts payable, and accrued liabilities: The carrying amounts approximate fair value because of the short maturity of these instruments. Notes receivable and long-term debt: The Company believes that the overall effective interest rates on these instruments approximate fair value in the aggregate. F-15 AIR METHODS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (1) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES, CONTINUED New Accounting Standards In December 2004, the FASB issued FASB Statement No. 123R (Statement 123R), Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation, an amendment of FASB Statement No. 123. Statement 123R requires recognition of the grant-date fair value of stock options and other equity-based compensation issued to employees in the income statement and is effective for interim or annual periods beginning after June 15, 2005. Statement 123R provides for either a modified prospective or modified retrospective transition method for adopting the statement. The Company has not yet determined which transition method it will apply nor the impact of adopting Statement 123R on its financial position or results of operations. In December 2004, the FASB issued FASB Statement No. 153 (Statement 153), Exchange of Nonmonetary Assets - an amendment of APB Opinion No. 29. Statement 153 eliminates certain exceptions provided for by APB Opinion No. 29 and instead requires that an exchange of nonmonetary assets be accounted for at fair value, including recognition of gain or loss, if the exchange has commercial substance and the fair value is determinable within reasonable limits. The statement sets forth the criteria to be considered in determining whether the exchange has commercial substance. Statement 153 is effective for nonmonetary exchanges occurring in fiscal periods beginning after June 15, 2005. The Company does not expect the adoption of Statement 153 to have a material impact on its financial position or results of operations. Reclassifications Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform with the 2004 presentation, primarily to reclassify accrued overhaul and parts replacement costs related to aircraft owned by hospital customers and customer credit balances due to third party payers. (2) ACQUISITION OF SUBSIDIARY On October 16, 2002, the Company acquired 100% of the membership interest of RMH, a Delaware limited liability company, for total consideration of $36,774,000. The purchase price was negotiated by the Company and the sellers, and includes an earn-out provision under which the sellers may receive up to $1,300,000 of additional consideration over the next nine years based on actual collections against certain receivables. The original earn-out amount of $2,600,000 was reduced in 2003 as a result of the forfeiture by one of the sellers of rights under the earn-out provision in lieu of payment to the Company for a previously determined adjustment to the purchase price. The acquisition was financed primarily by the issuance of $23 million in subordinated notes and by draws against a $35 million revolving credit facility. F-16 AIR METHODS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (2) ACQUISITION OF SUBSIDIARY, CONTINUED The allocation of the purchase price was as follows (amounts in thousands): Preliminary Final Allocation Allocation 2002 Adjustments 2003 ---------------------------------------- Assets purchased: Aircraft $ 44,250 -- 44,250 Equipment and other property 9,587 (342) 9,245 Receivables, net of allowances 18,496 1,455 19,951 Inventory 8,852 (1,301) 7,551 Goodwill 1,317 2,194 3,511 Other 8,117 (86) 8,031 ---------------------------------------- 90,619 1,920 92,539 Debt and other liabilities assumed (53,845) (1,920) (55,765) ---------------------------------------- Purchase price $ 36,774 -- 36,774 ======================================== Adjustments to the preliminary purchase price allocation consisted primarily of revised estimates of the value of receivables and inventories, as well as increases in estimates for liabilities for severance and repair costs for aircraft parts that could not be reasonably estimated at December 31, 2002. At the time of acquisition, the Company segregated certain equipment and spare parts inventory whose airworthy status and usability within Company operations had not yet been determined and commenced an analysis to determine the valuation of these assets. The preliminary allocation of the purchase price included these assets at the book value assigned by RMH prior to the acquisition. During 2003, the Company completed its analysis of this equipment and spare parts inventory and determined that the assets had nominal realizable value. Neither the equipment nor the spare parts inventory included in this analysis was placed in service within the Company's operations. The purchase price allocation was adjusted accordingly to reflect the results of the Company's usability and valuation analysis. The results of RMH's operations have been included with those of the Company since October 16, 2002. F-17 AIR METHODS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (3) ACCOUNTING CHANGE Effective January 1, 2004, the Company changed its method of accounting for major engine and airframe component overhaul costs from the accrual method of accounting to the direct expense method. Under the new accounting method, maintenance costs are recognized as expense as maintenance services are performed. The Company believes the direct-expense method is preferable in the circumstances because the maintenance liability is not recorded until there is an obligating event (when the maintenance event is actually being performed), the direct expense method eliminates significant estimates and judgments inherent under the accrual method, and it is the predominant method used in the transportation industry. Accordingly, effective January 1, 2004, the Company reversed its major overhaul accrual totaling $33,809,000 for all owned and leased aircraft and reversed the remaining capitalized maintenance included in fixed assets relating to used aircraft purchases totaling $19,719,000, with the balance reflected as the cumulative effect of change in accounting principle of $8,595,000 ($14,090,000, net of income taxes of $5,495,000). In 2002, the impact of the major overhaul accrual relating to aircraft purchased in the RMH acquisition was considered a component of the valuation of the aircraft and did not affect the allocation of the purchase price to goodwill. Accordingly, the change in method to the direct expense method in 2004 resulted in a reduction in the asset value assigned to RMH aircraft. The amount of the cumulative effect of the change in accounting principle related to RMH aircraft was due exclusively to depreciation of the asset value or changes in the liability balances which had been expensed subsequent to the acquisition. Therefore, the majority of the cumulative effect of the change in accounting principle related to aircraft which were in the Company's fleet prior to the RMH acquisition. (4) COSTS IN EXCESS OF BILLINGS AND BILLINGS IN EXCESS OF COSTS As of December 31, 2004, the estimated period to complete contracts in process ranges from three to six months, and the Company expects to collect all related accounts receivable and costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts within one year. The following summarizes contracts in process at December 31 (amounts in thousands): 2004 2003 --------- ------- Costs incurred on uncompleted contracts $ 8,949 5,386 Estimated contribution to earnings 4,406 1,722 --------- ------- 13,355 7,108 Less billings to date (10,726) (5,033) --------- ------- Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings, net $ 2,629 2,075 ========= ======= (5) NOTES PAYABLE AND LONG-TERM DEBT Short-term notes payable as of December 31, 2004, consist of two notes with an aircraft manufacturer for the purchase of two aircraft. The notes are non-interest-bearing and mature in the first quarter of 2005. The two aircraft collateralizing the notes are expected to be sold and leased back under operating leases and are classified in the consolidated financial statements as assets held for sale. F-18 AIR METHODS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (5) NOTES PAYABLE AND LONG-TERM DEBT, CONTINUED Long-term debt consists of the following at December 31 (amounts in thousands): 2004 2003 -------- ------- Subordinated notes payable with quarterly interest payments at 12.0% and all principal due in 2007, unsecured (net of discount of $1,140) $21,860 21,337 Borrowings under revolving credit facility with monthly interest payments and all principal due in 2006. Weighted average interest rate at December 31, 2004, is 4.72%. 14,719 15,201 Note payable with interest at 6.60%, due in monthly installments of principal and interest with all remaining principal due in 2009, collateralized by aircraft. 6,039 6,769 Notes payable with interest rates from 6.53% to 6.70%, due in monthly installments of principal and interest at various dates through 2009, collateralized by aircraft and other flight equipment 2,085 2,788 Note payable, non-interest bearing, due in annual principal payments through 2007. Annual principal payment amounts are contingent upon transport volume for Community-Based Model operations in Nevada. 1,250 1,750 Notes payable with interest rates from 6.89% to 8.49%, due in monthly payments of principal and interest with all remaining principal due in 2008, collateralized by aircraft 10,288 18,806 Notes payable with interest rates from 5.25% to 9.27%, due in monthly payments of principal and interest with all remaining principal due in 2006, collateralized by aircraft 3,361 3,790 Notes payable with interest at 8.96%, due in monthly payments of principal and interest with all remaining principal due in 2007, collateralized by aircraft 1,807 2,040 Notes payable with interest at LIBOR plus 2.50%, due in monthly payments of principal and interest with all remaining principal due in 2008, collateralized by buildings. Weighted average rate at December 31, 2004, is 5.55%. 2,127 2,326 Note payable with interest rate at 5.60%, due in monthly installments of principal and interest with all remaining principal due in 2010, collateralized by aircraft 6,537 -- Notes payable with interest rates from 5.08% to 5.95%, due in monthly installments of principal and interest at various dates through 2010, collateralized by aircraft 8,311 5,744 Notes payable with interest rates from 8.16% to 9.55%. Paid in full in 2004. -- 1,593 Other 350 646 -------- ------- 78,734 82,790 Less current installments (6,041) (6,110) -------- ------- $72,693 76,680 ======== ======= F-19 AIR METHODS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (5) NOTES PAYABLE AND LONG-TERM DEBT, CONTINUED As of December 31, 2004, the Company had $14,719,000 outstanding against a $35 million senior revolving credit facility with certain lenders. Available capacity on the facility was $19,073,000 as of December 31, 2004. Borrowings under the credit facility are secured by substantially all of the Company's non-aircraft assets, including accounts receivable, inventory, equipment and general intangibles. Indebtedness under the credit facility has a first priority claim to the assets pledged to secure it. The facility matures October 16, 2006, but can be prepaid at any time, subject to payment of an early termination fee ranging from .25% to 1% if the termination occurs prior to October 16, 2005. Indebtedness under the credit facility bears interest, at the Company's option, at either (i) the higher of the federal funds rate plus 0.50% or the prime rate as announced by the lenders plus a margin ranging from 0 to 0.75% or (ii) a rate equal to LIBOR plus a margin ranging from 1.75% to 3.00%. The weighted average interest rate on the outstanding balance against the line as of December 31, 2004, was 4.72%. Payment obligations under the credit facility accelerate upon the occurrence of defined events of default, including the following: failure to pay principal or interest or to perform covenants under the credit facility or other indebtedness; events of insolvency or bankruptcy; failure to timely discharge judgments of $250,000 or more; failure to maintain the first priority status of liens under the credit facility; levy against a material portion of the Company's assets; default under other indebtedness; suspension of material governmental permits; interruption of operations at any Company facility that has a material adverse effect; and a change of control in the Company. The credit facility contains various covenants that limit, among other things, the Company's ability to create liens, declare dividends, make loans and investments, enter into real property leases exceeding specified expenditure levels, make any material change to the nature of the Company's business, enter into any transaction with affiliates other than on arms' length terms, prepay indebtedness, enter into a merger or consolidation, or sell assets. The credit facility also places limits on the amount of new indebtedness, operating lease obligations, and unfinanced capital expenditures which the Company can incur in a fiscal year. The Company is required to maintain certain financial ratios as defined in the credit facility and other notes. As of December 31, 2004, the Company was in compliance with the covenants of the credit facility. F-20 AIR METHODS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (5) NOTES PAYABLE AND LONG-TERM DEBT, CONTINUED On October 16, 2002, the Company issued $23 million in subordinated notes to Prudential Capital Partners, L.P. and Prudential Capital Partners Management Fund, L.P. (together, the Subordinated Lenders) to finance the acquisition of RMH. The notes are unsecured and provide for quarterly payment of interest only at 12% per annum, with all principal due October 16, 2007. With certain exceptions as defined in the notes, the notes may not be prepaid until January 1, 2005, and prepayments after January 1, 2005, will be at a declining premium. The securities purchase agreement entered into in connection with the notes contains various covenants that limit, among other things, the Company's ability to create liens, declare dividends, make certain loans, enter into real property leases exceeding specified expenditure levels, make any material change to the nature of the Company's business, enter into any transaction with affiliates other than on arms' length terms, prepay indebtedness, enter into a merger or consolidation, sell or discount receivables, or sell assets. The purchase agreement also places limits on the amount of new indebtedness, operating lease obligations, and unfinanced capital expenditures which the Company can incur in a fiscal year. The Company is required to maintain certain financial ratios as defined in the purchase agreement. As of December 31, 2004, the Company was in compliance with the covenants. Payment obligations under the subordinated notes accelerate upon the occurrence of defined events of default, including the following: failure to pay principal or interest or to perform covenants under the notes and related purchase agreement or other indebtedness; events of insolvency or bankruptcy; failure to timely discharge judgments of $500,000 or more; failure to file and keep effective a registration statement relating to the warrants issued to the Subordinated Lenders; and a change of control in the Company. Under an amendment to the agreement, the Company accrued an amendment fee of $500,000 in 2004 in exchange for the elimination of a financial covenant for the duration of the agreement. The fee is expected to be paid in the first quarter of 2005. Substantially all of the Company's property and equipment is pledged as collateral under the Company's various notes payable. Aggregate maturities of long-term debt are as follows (amounts in thousands): Year ending December 31: 2005 $ 6,041 2006 23,615 2007 29,106 2008 12,154 2009 5,440 Thereafter 2,378 -------- $ 78,734 ======== F-21 AIR METHODS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (6) LEASES The Company leases hangar and office space under noncancelable operating leases and leases certain equipment and aircraft under noncancelable operating and capital leases. As of December 31, 2004, future minimum lease payments under capital and operating leases are as follows (amounts in thousands): Capital Operating leases leases --------------------- Year ending December 31: 2005 $ 454 18,232 2006 246 17,450 2007 22 16,378 2008 -- 15,301 2009 -- 13,462 Thereafter -- 31,826 --------------------- Total minimum lease payments 722 $ 112,649 ========== Less amounts representing interest (63) --------- Present value of minimum capital lease payments 659 Less current installments (410) --------- $ 249 ========= Rent expense relating to operating leases totaled $19,508,000, $15,424,000, and $8,670,000, for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003, and 2002, respectively. At December 31, 2004 and 2003, leased property held under capital leases included in equipment, net of accumulated depreciation, totaled $885,000 and $4,393,000, respectively. F-22 AIR METHODS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (7) STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (a) PRIVATE PLACEMENT In December 2003, the Company issued 1.2 million shares of common stock at $8 per share in a private placement of shares. Proceeds, net of syndication and other costs, totaled $8,855,000. (b) WARRANTS As of December 31, 2004, the following warrants to purchase the Company's common stock are outstanding: Number of Warrants Exercise Price per Share Expiration Date - ------------------ ------------------------- ----------------- 449,716 $ .06 October 16, 2008 100,000 5.28 October 16, 2007 25,000 6.60 August 8, 2007 - ------------------ 574,716 ================== (c) STOCK OPTION PLANS The Company has a Stock Option Plan (the Plan) which provides for the granting of incentive stock options (ISO's) and nonqualified stock options (NSO's), stock appreciation rights, and supplemental stock bonuses. Under the Plan, 3,500,000 shares of common stock are reserved for options. The Company also grants NSO's outside of the Plan. Generally, the options granted under the Plan have an exercise price equal to the market value on the date of grant, vest in three equal installments beginning one year from the date of grant, and expire five years from the date of grant. However, option grants to certain officers and employees in 2004 included 460,000 options which had different vesting terms. These options vest after five years and expire six years from the date of grant. The Nonemployee Director Stock Option Plan authorizes the grant of NSO's to purchase an aggregate of 300,000 shares of common stock to nonemployee directors of the Company. Each nonemployee director completing one fiscal year of service receives a five-year option to purchase 10,000 shares, exercisable at the then current market value of the Company's common stock. All options under this plan are vested immediately upon issue. F-23 AIR METHODS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (7) STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY, CONTINUED The following is a summary of option activity, including options granted and outstanding outside of the Plan, during the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003, and 2002: Weighted Average Shares Exercise Price ------ -------------- Outstanding at January 1, 2002 1,219,585 $ 3.11 Granted 675,000 7.27 Canceled (346,796) 8.05 Exercised (881,752) 3.00 ---------- Outstanding at December 31, 2002 666,037 4.91 Granted 227,500 8.22 Canceled (73,759) 2.56 Exercised (163,776) 3.44 ---------- Outstanding at December 31, 2003 656,002 6.19 Granted 582,000 8.91 Canceled (1,778) 2.44 Exercised (200,410) 4.63 ---------- Outstanding at December 31, 2004 1,035,814 8.03 ========== Options exercisable at: December 31, 2002 321,438 $ 3.56 December 31, 2003 414,335 5.77 December 31, 2004 410,204 7.02 F-24 AIR METHODS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (7) STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY, CONTINUED The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding at December 31, 2004: Weighted-Average Weighted- Remaining Contractual Weighted- Average Range of Average Number Exercise Exercise Price Number Outstanding Life (Years) Exercise Price Exercisable Price - --------------- ------------------ ---------------------- --------------- ----------- ---------- 3.35 to 4.31 37,981 1.1 $ 3.71 37,982 $ 3.71 5.60 to 7.92 335,833 2.7 6.66 250,555 6.58 8.89 to 8.98 662,000 4.7 8.97 121,667 8.97 ------------------ ----------- 1,035,814 410,204 ================== =========== (d) NONEMPLOYEE DIRECTOR COMPENSATION PLAN In February 1993, the Board of Directors adopted the Air Methods Corporation Equity Compensation Plan for Nonemployee Directors which was subsequently approved by the Company's stockholders on March 12, 1993. Under this compensation plan, 150,000 shares of common stock are reserved for issuance to non-employee directors. As of December 31, 2004, no shares have been issued under this plan. (e) INCOME PER SHARE The reconciliation of basic to diluted weighted average common shares outstanding is as follows for the years ended December 31: 2004 2003 2002 ---- ---- ---- Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic 10,894,863 9,665,278 9,184,421 Dilutive effect of: Common stock options 79,141 99,955 227,765 Common stock warrants 340,823 287,756 66,316 --------------------------------- Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - diluted 11,314,827 10,052,989 9,478,502 ================================= Common stock options totaling 662,000, 252,500, and 45,000 were not included in the diluted income per share calculation for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003, and 2002, respectively, because their effect would have been anti-dilutive. F-25 AIR METHODS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (8) REVENUE The Company has operating agreements with various hospitals and hospital systems to provide services and aircraft for periods ranging from 1 to 10 years. The agreements provide for revenue from monthly fixed fees and flight fees based upon the utilization of aircraft in providing emergency medical services. The fixed-fee portions of the agreements provide for the following revenue for years ending December 31 (amounts in thousands): 2005 $ 54,759 2006 38,290 2007 24,078 2008 14,601 2009 8,514 Thereafter 6,518 --------- $ 146,760 ========= (9) INCOME TAXES Income tax benefit (expense), excluding amounts recorded as the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle, consists of the following for the years ended December 31 (amounts in thousands): 2004 2003 2002 -------------------------- Current income tax benefit (expense): Federal $ -- (12) -- State 9 29 (314) -------------------------- 9 17 (314) Deferred income tax benefit (expense): Federal (1,857) (2,860) (2,601) State (273) (420) (384) -------------------------- (2,130) (3,280) (2,985) -------------------------- Total income tax expense $(2,121) (3,263) (3,299) ========================== F-26 AIR METHODS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (9) INCOME TAXES, CONTINUED Reconciliation of income taxes on income before income taxes computed at the federal statutory rate of 34% and income taxes as recorded is as follows for the years ended December 31 (amounts in thousands): 2004 2003 2002 -------------------------- Tax at the federal statutory rate $(1,824) (2,844) (2,876) State income taxes, net of federal benefit, including adjustments based on filed state income tax returns (268) (419) (423) Change in valuation allowance -- (2,456) -- Revisions for filed returns -- 2,456 -- Other (29) -- -- -------------------------- Net income tax benefit (expense) $(2,121) (3,263) (3,299) ========================== For income tax purposes, at December 31, 2004, the Company has net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $23 million, expiring at various dates through 2024. In 1991, the Company acquired all of the outstanding common shares of Air Methods Corporation, a Colorado corporation ("AMC"). As a result of the acquisition of AMC and other issuances of stock, the utilization of approximately $1.4 million of the aforementioned net operating loss carryforwards is subject to an annual limitation under the provisions of Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code. F-27 AIR METHODS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (9) INCOME TAXES, CONTINUED The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of the deferred tax assets and liabilities at December 31 are as follows (amounts in thousands): 2004 2003 --------- -------- Deferred tax assets: Overhaul and parts replacement cost, principally due to the accrual method $ -- 8,289 Net operating loss carryforwards 9,220 7,135 Minimum tax credit carryforward 12 12 Other 1,887 529 --------- -------- Total gross deferred tax assets 11,119 15,965 Less valuation allowance (904) (2,691) --------- -------- Net deferred tax assets 10,215 13,274 --------- -------- Deferred tax liabilities: Equipment and leasehold improvements, principally due to differences in bases and depreciation methods (16,846) (15,610) Allowance for uncollectible accounts (5,213) (2,363) Goodwill (493) (338) Other (334) (9) --------- -------- Total deferred tax liabilities (22,886) (18,320) --------- -------- Net deferred tax liability $(12,671) (5,046) ========= ======== The change in deferred tax assets in 2004 includes $5,495,000 recorded as a component of the cumulative effect of the change in the method of accounting for maintenance costs. In 2004 net operating loss carryforwards of $4.2 million, for which a valuation allowance had been established, expired. A valuation allowance has been provided for net operating loss carryforwards which are not expected to be realized prior to expiration. Based on management's assessment, realization of net deferred tax assets through future taxable earnings is considered more likely than not, except to the extent valuation allowances are provided. (10) EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS The Company has a defined contribution retirement plan whereby employees may contribute any percentage of their gross pay up to the IRS maximum ($13,000 for 2004). The Company contributes 2% of gross pay for all employees and matches 60% of the employees' contributions up to 6% of their gross pay. The Company also continued the RMH defined contribution retirement plan which was in place at the acquisition date. Under the RMH plan, employees may contribute any percentage of their gross pay up to the IRS maximum ($13,000 for 2004), and the Company matches 30% of the employees' contributions up to 6% of their gross pay. Company contributions totaled approximately $2,284,000, $2,176,000, and $1,598,000 for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003, and 2002, respectively. F-28 AIR METHODS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (11) RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS In 2002, the Company paid $750,000 to Americas Partners for its services in connection with the acquisition of RMH. Ralph Bernstein and Morad Tahbaz, directors of the Company, are partners of Americas Partners. The form of payment was $477,388 in cash and warrants valued at $273,000 to purchase 100,000 shares of Company common stock. The warrants have an exercise price of $5.28 per share and expire five years from issuance. (12) COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES The Company has entered into various aircraft operating leases under which it provides residual value guarantees to the lessor. As of December 31, 2004, the undiscounted maximum amount of potential future payments under the guarantees is $3,648,000. No amounts have been accrued for any estimated losses with respect to the guarantees, since it is not probable that the residual value of the aircraft will be less than the amounts stipulated in the guarantee. The assessment of whether it is probable that the Company will be required to make payments under the terms of the guarantee is based on current market data and the Company's actual and expected loss experience. Prior to acquisition by the Company, RMH entered into a commitment agreement to take delivery of eight aircraft for approximately $16,000,000. As of December 31, 2004, the Company had taken delivery of all aircraft under the agreement. Prior to the acquisition, RMH entered into a commitment agreement to take delivery of ten aircraft for approximately $16,600,000. As of December 31, 2004, four aircraft with a total value of approximately $6,500,000 remained to be delivered and the deposit and related note payable associated with this commitment totaled $347,000. In March 2004, the Company entered into a commitment agreement to purchase 10 Eurocopter EC135 helicopters for approximately $34,300,000, with deliveries scheduled through the first quarter of 2005. As of December 31, 2004, the Company had taken delivery of seven helicopters under the agreement. In July 2004, the Company entered into a commitment agreement to purchase 15 Bell 427 helicopters for approximately $55,500,000, beginning in 2007, with a minimum of three deliveries per year. The agreement provides for special incentives, including a trade-in option for up to fifteen Bell 222 helicopters, with minimum guaranteed trade-in values. The Company intends to place the new EC135's and Bell 427's primarily into existing bases and to either sell the aircraft which are replaced or redeploy them into the backup fleet. Typically the Company has financed aircraft acquired under these or similar commitments through operating lease agreements. F-29 \ AIR METHODS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (12) COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES, CONTINUED In August 2004, the Company entered into a $1,208,000 letter of credit with a financial institution to securitize an aircraft leased by the Company under an operating lease agreement. Because the aircraft is operated in Puerto Rico, the lessor is unable to perfect its security interest against the aircraft. The letter of credit perpetually renews for consecutive one-year terms through the end of the lease agreement in July 2010 or until the aircraft is moved from Puerto Rico and reduces the available borrowing capacity under the Company's senior revolving credit facility. (13) BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION The Company identifies operating segments based on management responsibility and the type of products or services offered. Operating segments and their principal products or services are as follows: - Community-Based Model (CBM) - provides air medical transportation services to the general population as an independent service in 17 states. Services include aircraft operation and maintenance, medical care, dispatch and communications, and medical billing and collection. - Hospital-Based Model (HBM) - provides air medical transportation services to hospitals in 26 states and Puerto Rico under exclusive operating agreements. Services include aircraft operation and maintenance. - Products Division - designs, manufactures, and installs aircraft medical interiors and other aerospace and medical transport products for domestic and international customers. The accounting policies of the operating segments are as described in Note 1. The Company evaluates the performance of its segments based on pretax income. Intersegment sales are reflected at cost-related prices. Summarized financial information for the Company's operating segments is shown in the following table (amounts in thousands). Amounts in the "Corporate Activities" column represent corporate headquarters expenses and results of insignificant operations. The Company does not allocate assets between HBM, Products, and Corporate Activities for internal reporting and performance evaluation purposes. F-30 AIR METHODS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (13) BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION, CONTINUED Community- Hospital- Based Based Products Corporate Intersegment Model Model Division Activities Eliminations Consolidated ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2004 External revenue $ 176,968 88,835 7,300 -- -- 273,103 Intersegment revenue -- -- 8,753 -- (8,753) -- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total revenue 176,968 88,835 16,053 -- (8,753) 273,103 Operating expenses 115,487 78,295 10,451 9,140 (7,347) 206,026 Depreciation & amortization 5,417 5,081 272 213 -- 10,983 Bad debt expense 42,505 387 -- -- -- 42,892 Interest expense 3,950 3,736 -- 170 -- 7,856 Interest income -- -- -- (18) -- (18) Income tax expense -- -- -- 2,121 -- 2,121 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Income (loss) before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle 9,609 1,336 5,330 (11,626) (1,406) 3,243 Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle, net -- -- -- 8,595 -- 8,595 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net income (loss) $ 9,609 1,336 5,330 (3,031) (1,406) 11,838 ============================================================================= Total assets $ 67,156 N/A N/A 139,730 (2,163) 204,723 ============================================================================= 2003 External revenue $ 146,364 88,440 6,803 848 -- 242,455 Intersegment revenue -- -- 7,261 -- (7,261) -- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total revenue 146,364 88,440 14,064 848 (7,261) 242,455 Operating expenses 94,506 74,429 10,360 8,213 (5,356) 182,152 Depreciation & amortization 4,857 4,539 173 1,740 -- 11,309 Bad debt expense 32,519 -- -- -- -- 32,519 Interest expense 3,962 4,121 -- 169 -- 8,252 Interest income (2) (130) -- (11) -- (143) Income tax expense -- -- -- 3,263 -- 3,263 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net income (loss) $ 10,522 5,481 3,531 (12,526) (1,905) 5,103 ============================================================================= Total assets $ 76,506 N/A N/A 141,306 (2,163) 215,649 ============================================================================= F-31 AIR METHODS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (13) BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION, CONTINUED Community- Hospital- Based Based Products Corporate Intersegment Model Model Division Activities Eliminations Consolidated 2002 External revenue $ 73,210 51,480 5,796 182 -- 130,668 Intersegment revenue -- -- 1,933 -- (1,933) -- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total revenue 73,210 51,480 7,729 182 (1,933) 130,668 Operating expenses 44,257 42,885 6,150 5,135 (1,617) 96,810 Depreciation & amortization 2,848 3,499 149 199 -- 6,695 Bad debt expense 15,586 -- -- -- -- 15,586 Interest expense 1,218 1,008 -- 822 -- 3,048 Interest income (2) (10) -- (19) -- (31) Loss on extinguishment of debt 101 -- -- -- -- 101 Income tax expense -- -- -- 3,299 -- 3,299 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net income (loss) $ 9,202 4,098 1,430 (9,254) (316) 5,160 ============================================================================= Total assets $ 62,382 N/A N/A 136,177 (2,163) 196,396 ============================================================================= F-32 AIR METHODS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (14) UNAUDITED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA Summarized unaudited quarterly financial data for 2004 and 2003 is as follows (amounts in thousands except per share data): Quarter First Second Third Fourth --------------------------------- 2004 Revenue $61,634 74,255 68,949 68,265 Operating income 909 5,916 4,012 1,225 Income (loss) before income taxes and cumulative effect of change in accounting principle (892) 4,160 2,378 (282) Income (loss) before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle (544) 2,518 1,452 (183) Net income (loss) 8,051 2,518 1,452 (183) Basic income (loss) per share before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle (.05) .23 .13 (.02) Basic income (loss) per common share .74 .23 .13 (.02) Diluted income (loss) per share before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle (.05) .22 .13 (.02) Diluted income (loss) per common share .74 .22 .13 (.02) 2003 Revenue $52,298 57,464 66,977 65,716 Operating income 842 3,677 6,579 4,465 Income (loss) before income taxes (846) 2,143 4,413 2,656 Net income (loss) (516) 1,307 2,692 1,620 Basic income (loss) per common share (.05) .14 .28 .16 Diluted income (loss) per common share (.05) .13 .27 .15 Income per common share is computed independently for each of the quarters presented. Therefore, the sum of the quarterly income per share does not necessarily equal the total computed for the year. F-33 Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm ------------------------------------------------------- The Board of Directors Air Methods Corporation: Under date of March 15, 2005, we reported on the consolidated balance sheets of Air Methods Corporation and subsidiaries (the Company) as of December 31, 2004 and 2003, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders' equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2004, which are included in the Company's December 31, 2004 Annual Report on Form 10-K. In connection with our audits of the aforementioned consolidated financial statements, we also audited the related consolidated financial statement Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts. This financial statement schedule is the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on this financial statement schedule based on our audits. In our opinion, such financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein. /s/ KPMG LLP Denver, Colorado March 15, 2005 F-34 AIR METHODS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES SCHEDULE II - VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS (AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS) - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Balance at Beginning Transfers and Balance at Description of Period Additions (a) Other (c) Deductions (b) End of Period - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Allowance for trade receivables Year ended December 31, 2004 $ 30,301 42,892 -- (47,153) 26,040 Year ended December 31, 2003 19,315 32,519 800 (22,333) 30,301 Year ended December 31, 2002 7,735 15,586 11,064 (15,070) 19,315 ____________________________ Notes: (a) Amounts charged to expense. (b) Bad debt write-offs and charges to allowances. (c) Beginning allowance balance assumed in RMH acquisition, as adjusted for final purchase price allocation. See accompanying Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm. F-35