OPERATIONS, BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

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

Fiscal period policy

Our fiscal year ends March 31, and we refer to fiscal years based on the end of such period. Therefore, the fiscal year ended March 31, 2019 is referred to as fiscal year 2019.

Reclassification policy

Certain reclassifications of prior period information have been made to conform to the presentation of the current period information as a result of an adoption of a required accounting standard. In prior period financial statements, we included pension-related costs (which include interest costs, amortization of pension-related costs from prior periods, and the gains or losses on plan assets) in direct cost. During fiscal year 2019, we have reclassified these pension-related costs to be included in other income (expense) as a result of the adoption of new accounting standards effective April 1, 2018. These reclassifications had no effect on our consolidated statements of cash flows or our consolidated balance sheets as previously reported.

Use of estimates policy

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


•	Allowances for doubtful accounts;


•	Inventory allowances;


•	Property and equipment;


•	Goodwill, intangible and other long-lived assets;


•	Pension benefits;


•	Contingent liabilities; and


•	Taxes.

Cash and cah equivalents policy

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

Accounts receivable policy

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

Inventories policy

Inventories are stated at the lower of average cost or net realizable value and consist primarily of spare parts.

Property and equipment policy

Property and equipment are stated at cost. Property and equipment includes construction in progress, primarily consisting of progress payments on aircraft purchases, in-process aircraft modification, equipment and facility construction, of $51.7 million and $67.7 million as of March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Interest costs applicable to the construction of qualifying assets are capitalized as a component of the cost of such assets.

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

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

Goodwill policy

Goodwill is recorded when the cost of acquired businesses exceeds the fair value of the identifiable net assets acquired. Goodwill has an indefinite useful life and is not amortized but is assessed for impairment annually or when events or changes in circumstances indicate that a potential impairment exists.

Other intangible assets policy

Intangible assets with finite useful lives are amortized over their respective estimated useful lives to their estimated residual values.

Contingent liabilities policy

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

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

Impairment of 50% or less owned investments policy

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

Impairment of long-lived assets policy

Long-lived assets, such as property and equipment, and purchased intangibles subject to amortization, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. If the carrying amount of an asset group to be held and used exceeds its estimated future cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized in the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset group exceeds the fair value of the asset group.

Maintenance and repairs policy

We generally charge maintenance and repair costs, including major aircraft component overhaul costs, to earnings as the costs are incurred. However, certain major aircraft components, such as engines and transmissions, are maintained by third-party vendors under contractual agreements also referred to as power-by-the hour maintenance agreements. Under these agreements, we are charged an agreed amount per hour of flying time related to maintenance, repair and overhaul of the parts and components covered. The costs charged under these contractual agreements are recognized in the period in which the flight hours occur. To the extent that we have not yet been billed for costs incurred under these arrangements, these costs are included in accrued maintenance and repairs on our consolidated balance sheets. From time to time, we receive credits from our original equipment manufacturers as settlement for additional labor and maintenance expense costs incurred for aircraft performance issues. We record these credits as a reduction in maintenance expense when the credits are utilized in lieu of cash payments for purchases or services. The cost of certain major overhauls on owned fixed-wing aircraft operated by Eastern Airways and Airnorth are capitalized when incurred and depreciated over the period until the next expected major overhaul. The cost of major overhauls on leased fixed-wing aircraft operated by Eastern Airways and Airnorth are charged to maintenance and repair costs when incurred.

Taxes policy

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

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

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

Tax uncertainties policy

Foreign currency policy

In preparing our financial statements, we must convert all non-U.S. dollar currencies to U.S. dollars. Balance sheet information is presented based on the exchange rate as of the balance sheet date, and statement of operations information is presented based on the average foreign currency exchange rate for the period. The various components of stockholders’ investment are presented at their historical average exchange rates. The resulting difference after applying the different foreign currency exchange rates is the foreign currency translation adjustment, which is reported in stockholders’ investment as accumulated other comprehensive gains or losses. Foreign currency transaction gains and losses are recorded in other income (expense), net in our statement of operations and result from the effect of changes in exchange rates on transactions denominated in currencies other than a company’s functional currency, including transactions between consolidated companies. An exception is made where an intercompany loan or advance is deemed to be of a long-term investment nature, in which instance foreign currency transaction gains or losses are included as currency translation adjustments and are reported in stockholders’ investment as accumulated other comprehensive gains or losses. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates could cause significant changes in our financial position and results of operations in the future.

Recent accounting pronouncements

We consider the applicability and impact of all accounting standard updates (“ASUs”). ASUs not listed below were assessed and determined to be either not applicable or are expected to have minimal impact on our consolidated financial position or results of operations.

Adopted

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued accounting guidance on revenue recognition replacing the existing accounting standard and industry-specific guidance for revenue recognition with a five-step model for recognizing and measuring revenue from contracts with customers. The underlying principle of the new standard is to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers at the amount expected to be collected. This new standard is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. We adopted the standard as of April 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective method applied to open contracts and only to the version of the contracts in effect as of April 1, 2018. Prior period amounts have not been adjusted and continue to be reflected in accordance with our historical accounting policy. There was no impact on our consolidated financial statements and no cumulative effect adjustment was recognized. For further details, see Note 2.

In October 2016, the FASB issued accounting guidance related to current and deferred income taxes for intra-entity transfer of assets other than inventory. This accounting guidance requires an entity to recognize the income tax consequences of an intra-entity transfer of an asset other than inventory when the transfer occurs and eliminates the exception for an intra-entity transfer of an asset other than inventory. This accounting guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2017, and early adoption is permitted. We adopted this accounting guidance effective April 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective method, through a cumulative-effect adjustment directly to retained earnings. Upon adoption, we increased deferred tax liabilities by approximately $1.7 million and recognized an offsetting decrease to retained earnings.

In January 2017, the FASB issued accounting guidance which clarifies the definition of a business with the objective of adding guidance to assist in evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions of assets or businesses. The amendment provides criteria for determining when a transaction involves the acquisition of a business. If substantially all of the fair value of the gross assets acquired is concentrated in a single identifiable asset or a group of similar identifiable assets, then the transaction does not involve the acquisition of a business. If the criteria are not met, then the amendment requires that to be considered a business, the operation must include at a minimum an input and a substantive process that together significantly contribute to the ability to create an output. The guidance may reduce the number of transactions accounted for as business acquisitions. This accounting guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2017, and early adoption is permitted. The amendments should be applied prospectively, and no disclosures are required at the effective date. We adopted this accounting guidance effective April 1, 2018. This accounting guidance has had no impact on our financial statements since adoption as we have not entered into any transactions during this period.

In March 2017, the FASB issued accounting guidance related to the presentation of net periodic pension cost and net periodic post-retirement benefit cost. The accounting guidance requires employers to disaggregate the service cost component from the other components of net benefit cost and disclose the amount of net benefit cost that is included in the statement of operations or capitalized in assets, by line item. The accounting guidance requires employers to report the service cost component in the same line item(s) as other compensation costs and to report other pension-related costs (which include interest costs, amortization of pension-related costs from prior periods, and the gains or losses on plan assets) separately and exclude them from the subtotal of operating income. The accounting guidance also allows only the service cost component to be eligible for capitalization when applicable. This accounting guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2017, and early adoption is permitted as of the first interim period of an annual period for which interim or annual financial statements have not been issued. The accounting guidance requires application on a retrospective basis for the presentation of the service cost component and the other components of net periodic pension cost and net periodic post-retirement benefit cost in the statement of operations and on a prospective basis for the capitalization of the service cost component of net periodic pension cost and net periodic post-retirement benefit in assets. We adopted this accounting guidance effective April 1, 2018, and our statement of operations was retrospectively adjusted by $(0.1) million and $0.9 million with an increase (decrease) in direct cost and a corresponding debit or credit in other income (expense), net fiscal years 2018 and 2017, respectively.

In May 2017, the FASB issued accounting guidance on determining which changes to the terms or conditions of share-based payment awards require an entity to apply modification accounting. This pronouncement is effective for fiscal years, and for interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted, and is applied prospectively to changes in terms or conditions of awards occurring on or after the adoption date. We have adopted this accounting guidance effective April 1, 2018, with no impact on our financial statements as there were no changes to the terms or conditions of share-based payment awards.

Not Yet Adopted

In February 2016, the FASB issued accounting guidance which amends the existing accounting standards for lease accounting, including requiring lessees to recognize most leases on their balance sheets and making targeted changes to lessor accounting. This accounting guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted. Additionally, this accounting guidance requires a modified retrospective transition approach for all leases existing at, or entered into after the date of initial application, with an option to use certain transition relief. The guidance was updated on March 2018 to include an amendment that would allow us to consider the beginning of the period of adoption as the effective date of initial application of the standard. The standard will be implemented with an effective date of April 1, 2019. Based on the FASB transition guidance, we do not have to apply the disclosure requirement to periods prior to adoption. We will record a cumulative adjustment to retained earnings for the effect of the transition for the first year of adoption. We plan to elect the package of practical expedients to not re-evaluate existing lease contracts or lease classifications and therefore will not make changes to those leases already recognized on the consolidated balance sheet under ASC 840 until the leases are fully amortized, amended, or modified. In addition, we will not reassess initial direct costs for any existing leases and plan to elect the short-term lease exception provided for in the standard and therefore will only recognize right-of-use assets and lease liabilities for leases with a term greater than one year. We plan to elect the practical expedient to not separate lease and non-lease components for all asset classes.

We completed a system implementation and have updated our accounting policies to meet the standard’s requirements. The Company estimates that there will be an increase to right-of-use assets with a corresponding and approximate increase in lease liabilities between $270.0 million to $290.0 million upon adoption. We expect the implementation of the standard will have a minimal impact on the consolidated statements of operations and consolidated statements of cash flows.

In February 2018, the FASB issued new accounting guidance on income statement reporting of comprehensive income, specifically pertaining to reclassification of certain tax effects from accumulated other comprehensive income. This pronouncement is effective for fiscal years, and for interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted. We have not yet adopted this accounting guidance and are currently evaluating the effect this accounting guidance will have on our financial statements.

In June 2018, the FASB issued an amendment to the accounting guidance related to accounting for employee share-based payments which clarifies that an entity should recognize excess tax benefits in the period in which the amount of the deduction is determined. This amendment is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018. We have not yet adopted this accounting guidance and are currently evaluating the effect this accounting guidance will have on our financial statements.

In August 2018, the FASB modified the disclosure requirements on fair value measurements. The amendment modifies, removes, and adds several disclosure requirements on fair value measurements in Topic 820, Fair Value Measurement. The amendment is effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2021 for public business entities and early adoption is permitted. We have not yet adopted this accounting guidance and are currently evaluating the effect this accounting guidance will have on our disclosure requirements.

In August 2018, the FASB modified disclosure requirements for employers that sponsor defined benefit pension plans. Certain disclosure requirements were removed and certain disclosure requirements were added. The amendment also clarifies disclosure requirements for projected benefit obligation (“PBO”) and accumulated benefit obligation (“ABO”) in excess of respective plan assets. The amendment is effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2020 for public business entities and early adoption is permitted. We have not yet adopted this accounting guidance and are currently evaluating the effect this accounting guidance will have on our disclosure requirements.

In August 2018, the FASB issued new accounting guidance that addresses the accounting for implementation costs associated with a hosted service. The guidance provides that implementation costs be evaluated for capitalization using the same criteria as that used for internal-use software development costs, with amortization expense being recorded in the same income statement expense line as the hosted service costs and over the expected term of the hosting arrangement. This guidance is effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. The guidance will be applied either retrospectively or prospectively to all implementation costs incurred after the date of adoption. We have not yet adopted this accounting guidance and are currently evaluating the effect this accounting guidance will have on our financial statements.

In October 2018, the FASB amended the guidance for determining whether a decision-making fee is a variable interest. The amendments require organizations to consider indirect interests held through related parties under common control on a proportional basis rather than as the equivalent of a direct interest in its entirety (as currently required in generally accepted accounting principles). Therefore, these amendments likely will result in more decision makers not consolidating VIEs. This amendment is effective beginning in our fiscal year 2021 financial statements. We have not yet adopted this accounting guidance and are currently evaluating the effect this accounting guidance will have on our disclosure requirements.