UNITED STATES

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-QSB

x    QUARTERLY REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
   EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For The Quarterly Period Ended

February 28, 2006

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

 

Commission File Number:

000-33305

     

 

FLIGHT SAFETY TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

 

 

(Exact name of small business issuer as specified in its charter)

 

Nevada

 

95-4863690

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

 

(IRS Employer Identification No.)

     
 

28 Cottrell Street, Mystic, Connecticut 06355

 

 

(Address of principal executive offices)

 
     
 

(860) 245-0191

 

 

(Issuer's telephone number)

 
     
     

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

Check whether the issuer (1) filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act during the past 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 o

The number of shares of common stock outstanding as of April 10, 2006 was 8,215,210 shares.

Transitional Small Business Disclosure Format:          Yes o      No x


FLIGHT SAFETY TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
INDEX

 

Page
No

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION


3

 

Item 1.

Financial Statements.

3

 

a)

Balance Sheets as of February 28, 2006 and May 31, 2005

3

 

b)

Statements of Operations and Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
for the Three and Nine Month Period Ended February 28, 2006 and February 28, 2005

4

 

c)

Statements of Changes in Stockholders Equity for the
Nine Months Ended February 28, 2006 and February 28, 2005

5

 

d)

Statements of Cash Flow for the Nine Months Ended
February 28, 2006 and February 28, 2005

6

 

e)

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Three and Nine Months Ended
February 28, 2006 and February 28, 2005

7

 

Item 2.

Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

14

 

Item 3.

Controls and Procedures.

42

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

43

 

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings.

43

 

Item 5.

Other Information.

43

 

Item 6.

Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K.

44

SIGNATURES

46

 

 

 

 

 


 

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements.

FLIGHT SAFETY TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Balance Sheets
as of
February 28, 2006 and May 31, 2005
Unaudited

     


February 28, 2006


May 31, 2005

Assets

       

Current assets:

       
 

Cash

$

309,323

$

494,837

 

Contract receivables

 

286,699

 

415,617

 

Investments held to maturity

 

4,299,292

 

 4,033,759

 

Investments available for sale at fair value

 

2,296,042

 

2,860,233

 

Inventory

 

108,044

 

108,044

 

Other current assets

 

256,969

 

51,721

 

     Total current assets

 

7,556,369

 

7,964,211

         

Property and equipment, net of accumulated
   depreciation of $402,458 and $328,608

 


196,048

 


208,562

         

Other Assets:

       
 

Intangible assets, net of accumulated
amortization of $60,352 and $ 47,377

 


223,231

 


180,562

 

Investments held to maturity

 

---

 

500,002

Other receivables

 

217,974

 

        330,010

            Total Other Assets

 

441,205

 

1,010,574

Total Assets

$

8,193,622

$

9,183,347

         

Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity

       

Current liabilities:

       
 

Accounts payable

$

744,760

$

589,313

 

Accrued expenses

 

171,547

 

   180,340

 

     Total current liabilities

 

916,307

 

   769,653

Stockholders' equity:

       
 

Preferred Stock, $0.001 par value,
5,000,000 shares authorized, none issued
and outstanding





---





---

 

Common stock, $0.001 par value,
   50,000,000 shares authorized, 8,331,510
   shares issued and outstanding





8,332





8,331

 

Additional paid-in-capital

 

13,070,192

 

13,069,863

 

Treasury Stock, 116,300 shares at cost

 

(199,827)

 

(199,827)

 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

(57,339)

 

(164,023)

 

Unearned stock compensation

 

---

 

(4,769)

 

Accumulated deficit

 

(5,544,043)

 

(4,295,881)

 

     Total stockholders' equity

 

7,277,315

 

  8,413,694

 

     Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity

$

8,193,622

$

  9,183,347

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements

3


 

FLIGHT SAFETY TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

Statements of Operations and Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
For the Three and Nine Month Periods Ended February 28, 2006 and February 28, 2005
Unaudited

 

Three
Months
2006

Three
Months
2005

Nine
Months
2006

Nine
Months
2005

Contract Revenues

$   914,268

$    631,197

$    3,652,238

2,505,138

         

Cost of Revenues

469,332

370,154

2,171,700

1,673,542

 

Gross Profit

444,936

261,043

1,480,538

831,596

Operating Expenses:

       
 

Research and development

175,018

163,661

853,198

348,308

 

Selling, general and administrative

686,816

528,699

1,812,297

1,477,925

 

Depreciation and amortization

24,015

29,465

86,825

88,395

Total operating expenses

885,849

721,825

2,752,320

1,914,628

Loss from Operations

(440,913)

(460,782)

(1,271,782)

(1,083,032)

         

Other Income (Expense)

       
 

Interest income
Loss on investments available for sale

83,051
--

54,561
--

213,095
(170,875)

156,458
--


Loss before provision for income taxes


(357,862)


(406,221)


(1,229,562)


(926,574)


Provision for income taxes


      6,200


       6,915


       18,600


20,745


Net Loss


(364,062)


(413,136)


(1,248,162)


(947,319)

         

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

       

      Unrealized gains (loss) on investments
     Less reclassification adjustment for loss included
in net income

(1,348)

--

26,783

--

(64,191)

170,875

3,814

--

Comprehensive Loss

$(365,410)

$(386,353)

$(1,141,478)

(943,505)


Net Loss Per Share

       
 

Basic and diluted

$       (.04)

$       (.05)

$ (.15)

$ (.12)


Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding

       
 

Basic and diluted

8,215,210

8,215,110

8,215,143

8,218,925

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements

 

 

 

 

 

4


FLIGHT SAFETY TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

Statements of Changes in Stockholders Equity
For the Nine Months Ended February 28, 2006 and February 28, 2005
Unaudited


Common
Stock

Additional
Paid - In
Capital


Treasury
Stock


Accumulated Other Comp. loss


Unearned
Stock
Compensation



Accumulated
Deficit


Stockholders'
Equity

Shares

Amount

Balance at
   May 31, 2004


8,331,410


$


8,331

 


13,105,863


$


---


$


(119,501)


$


(150,733)


$


(2,884,237)


$

9,959,723

Unearned stock
compensation


--

 


--

 


--

 


--

 


--

 


47,223

 


--

 

47,223

Other Comprehensive

Income (Loss)


--




--




--




--




3,814




--




--




3,814

                               

Purchase of treasury
   stock


--

 


--

 


--

 


(199,827)

 


--

 


--

 


--

 


(199,827)

Net Loss

           --

 

        --

 

            --

 

         --

 

           --

 

          --

 

(947,319)

 

(947,319)

Balance at
  February 28, 2005


8,331,410


$


8,331


$


13,105,863


$


(199,827)


$


(115,687)


$


(103,510)


$


(3,831,556)


$


8,863,614

                               

Balance at
   May 31, 2005


8,331,410


$


8,331


$


13,069,863


$


(199,827)


$


(164,023)


$


(4,769)


$


(4,295,881)


$

8,413,694

Amortization of
   unearned stock comp.

Warrants Exercised


--

100



--

1



--

329



--

--



--

--



4,769

--



--

--



4,769

330

Other comprehensive
   income (loss)


--



--



--



--



106,684



--



--



106,684

Net loss

                --

 

            --

 

          --

 

        --

 

              --

 

           --

 

(1,248,162)

 

(1,248,162)

Balance at
   February 28, 2006


8,331,510


$


8,332


$


 13,070,192


$


(199,827)


$


(57,339)


$


-


$


(5,544,043)


$


7,277,315

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5


 

FLIGHT SAFETY TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

Statements of Cash Flow
For the Nine Months Ended February 28, 2006 and February 28, 2005
Unaudited

   

For the Nine Months
Ended
February 28,

   

2006

2005

Cash flows from operating activities:

   
 

Net loss

$(1,248,162)

$ (947,319)

 

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in
   operating activities:

   
   

Depreciation and amortization

86,825

88,395

   

Non-cash compensation - common stock
Loss on investment available for sale

4,769
170,875

47,223
--

   

Accretion of investment discounts

(83,587)

--

   

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

   
     

Decrease in contract receivables

128,918

254,999

     

(Increase) decrease in other receivables

112,036

(235,195)

     

Increase in inventory

--

(108,044)

     

Increase in other current assets and other
   assets

(205,248)

(3,180)

     

Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and accrued
   expense


146,654


(238,650)

Net cash used in operating activities

(886,920)

(1,141,771)

     

Cash flows from investing activities:

   
 

Purchase of held to maturity securities

(12,621,944)

(6,047,160)

 

Proceeds from maturity of held to maturity securities

12,940,000

7,023,709

 

Proceeds from available for sale securities

500,000

--

 

Purchase of available for sale securities

--

(525,000)

 

Purchases of property and equipment

(61,336)

(58,548)

            Payments for patents

(55,644)

(27,233)

Net cash provided by investing activities

701,076

365,768


Cash flows from financing activities:

   
 

Purchase of treasury stock

--

(199,827)

 

Proceeds from warrants exercised

330

--

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

330

(199,827)

     

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

(185,514)

(975,830)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

494,837

1,180,863

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

$ 309,323

$ 205,033

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements

 

 

 

 

 

6


FLIGHT SAFETY TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

Notes To The Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
For The Three and Nine Months Ended February 28, 2006 and February 28, 2005

Note 1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies:

Basis of Presentation

These interim financial statements for the three and nine months ended February 28, 2006 and February 28, 2005, included herein, have been prepared, without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC. Results for the three and nine months ended February 28, 2006 and February 28, 2005 are not necessarily indicative of results for the entire year. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments, which are necessary for a fair statement of operating results for the interim period have been made. These financial statements do not include all disclosures associated with annual financial statements and, accordingly, should be read in conjunction with our financial statements and related footnotes for the years ended May 31, 2005 and May 31, 2004 which are included in our annual report on Form 10-KSB filed on August 26, 2005.

Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior period financial statements to conform to current period presentation with no effect to the Company's reported net loss.

Use of Estimates

In preparing financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles, management is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as of the balance sheet date and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant change in the near term relate to the carrying values of investments, inventory, other receivables, and patents. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Stock-Based Compensation

The Company accounts for its stock-based compensation using the intrinsic value method provided for under Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees" ("APB 25") and related interpretations for stock options issued to employees and directors. Under APB 25, compensation expense is recognized over the vesting period to the extent that the fair market value of the underlying stock exceeds the exercise price of the employee stock award on the date of grant. Stock options issued under our stock option plans generally have no intrinsic value at the grant date, and under APB 25 no compensation cost is recognized for them. Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 123,

7


 

Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation, establishes a fair-value-based method of accounting for stock-based compensation plans. The Company has adopted the disclosure-only alternative under SFAS No. 123, which requires the disclosure of the pro forma effects on net loss and net loss per share as if the fair value accounting prescribed by SFAS No. 123 had been adopted.

The following table illustrates the effect on net loss and net loss per share if the Company had applied the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS No. 123 to stock-based employee compensation:

 

Three months ended

Nine months ended

 

February 28,
2006

February 28,
2005

February 28,
2006

February 28,
2005


Net (loss) as reported


$<364,062>


$<413,136>


$<1,248,162>


$<947,319>

Add: stock-based employee compensation expense included in net income



$ --



$15,741



$ 4,769



$ 47,223

Deduct: Total stock-based employee compensation expense determined under the fair value based method for all awards





$<175,746>





$<35,798>





$ <239,476>





$ <71,988>

Pro forma net (loss)

$<539,808>

$<433,193>

$ <1,482,869>

$ <972,084>

Earnings per share:

       

Basic and diluted - as reported

$ <.04>

$<.05>

$ <.15>

$ <.12>

Basic and diluted - pro forma

$ <.07>

$<.05>

$ <.18>

$ <.12>

The fair value of each option grant is estimated as of the grant date using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The following weighted average assumptions were used to value options granted in the Quarter ended February 28, 2006:

Risk-free interest rate
Expected dividend yield
Expected life of options
Expected volatility
Weighted-average grant-date fair value

4.50%
None
10 years
72%
$1.67

 

 

 

 

 

8


 

In December 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS No. 123(R), "Share-Based Payment, an Amendment of FASB Statements No. 123 and 95." SFAS No. 123(R) establishes standards for the accounting for transactions in which an entity exchanges its equity instruments for goods or services or incurs liabilities in exchange for goods or services that are based on the fair value of the entity's equity instruments. SFAS No. 123(R) requires public entities to measure the cost of employee services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments based on the grant-date fair value of the award (with limited exceptions) and recognize the cost over the period during which an employee is required to provide service in exchange for the award. Adoption requires a modified prospective application whereby compensation expense is recognized on or after the required effective date for the portion of the outstanding awards for which the requisite service has not yet been rendered, based on the grant-date fair value of those awards, calculated on a basis consistent with the SFAS No. 123 pro forma disclosures. The Company will adopt SFAS No. 123 (R) on its effective date, commencing with the quarter beginning June 1, 2006. Actual expense recorded related to these options would be reduced by future forfeitures.

Earnings Per Share

Basic loss per share is computed by dividing net loss by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. For the three and nine month periods ended February 28, 2006 and February 28, 2005, the effect of stock options and warrants was anti-dilutive; therefore, they were not included in the computation of diluted loss per share. The number of shares issuable upon the exercise of outstanding stock options and warrants that were excluded from the computation as their effect would be anti-dilutive were 3,805,300 and 3,073,327 as of February 28, 2006 and February 28, 2005, respectively.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash represents cash on hand of $286,217 in checking accounts and $23,106 in money market accounts as of February 28, 2006. Money market accounts earn interest at approximately 1.25% (per annum).

Inventory

Inventory represents purchasing of long lead SOCRATES® system components to further expand to a thirty-two beam system. Inventory is accounted for at lower of cost or market and on the first-in first-out basis.

Revenue and Cost Recognition

Our contracts with the United States government are cost-reimbursable contracts that provide for a fixed profit percentage applied to our actual costs to complete the work. These contracts are subject to audit and adjustment by our government customer, and are subject to cost limitations as provided by the contract.

9


 

For these contracts, fee revenue is recorded at the time services are performed based upon actual project costs incurred and include a reimbursement for general, administrative, and overhead costs and the base fee. The general, administrative, and overhead costs are estimated periodically in accordance with government contract accounting regulations and may change based on actual costs incurred subject to approval. Revenue may be adjusted for our estimate of costs that may be categorized as disputed or unallowable as a result of cost overruns or the government audit process.

Contracting costs include all direct material, labor and subcontracting costs. General and administrative costs are charged to expense as incurred. Provisions for estimated losses on uncompleted contracts are made in the period in which such losses are determined. Changes in job performance, job conditions and estimated profitability and final contract settlements may result in revisions to costs and income and are recognized in the period in which the revisions are determined. Revenue related to claims is recorded at the lesser of actual costs incurred or the amount expected to realized.

Intangible Assets

Intangible assets consist of patent costs. Amortization expense for the nine months ended February 28, 2006 and February 28, 2005 was $12,975 and $8,823 respectively. Amortization expense on average for the next five years is currently expected to be approximately $18,000.

Note 2. Equity Transactions:

During the nine months ended February 28, 2006, there was an issuance of common stock for 100 shares as the result of the exercise of warrants at $3.30 per share for a total of $330. The total shares issued as of February 28, 2006 were 8,331,510.

During the period from June 2, 2004 to June 17, 2004, we purchased 116,300 shares of our common stock at an average price of $1.71 for a total price of $199,827. The repurchase was authorized in a stock repurchase plan approved by our Board of Directors. Of the 8,331,510 shares of common stock issued to date, 8,215,210 are outstanding as of February 28, 2006.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10


 

Note 3. Investments in Marketable Securities:

A summary of investments as of February 28, 2006 is as follows:



Available for Sale

Amortized
Cost

Gross Unrealized
Gains

Gross Unrealized
(Losses)

Fair
Value

Mutual bond funds

$2,353,381   

$          --           

$ (57,339)       

$2,296,042    


Held to Maturity

       

Corporate bonds

$3,799,290

$   --           

$  --          

$3,799,290     

U.S. Government securities

500,002

         --           

(7,657)      

492,345     

 

$4,299,292

$  --           

$   (7,657)      

$4,291,635     

Contractual maturities of held-to-maturity securities at February 28, 2006 are as follows:

 

Carrying Amount

Due in one year or less
Due in one year or more

$4,299,292
      --
$4,299,292

In the quarter ended August 31, 2005, the Company recognized an impairment loss of $170,875 related to investments in a mutual bond fund. Despite the narrowing of the gap between the yield on the ten year Treasury note and the Consumer Price Index, the price of the investment did not improve as we had expected. The Company considered the severity and duration of these impairments and determined that they were other than temporary, and therefore, recorded the impairment loss.

For the quarter ended February 28, 2006 the Company reported an unrealized loss of $57,339 related to investments available for sale. The net asset value of the underlying mutual bond fund during the second and third quarter did not result in a significant loss as compared to the first quarter. The approximate net asset value of our investment was $876,773 during our quarter ended February 28, 2006 compared to $910,397 during the quarter ended November 30, 2005. The Company has considered the severity and duration of this impairment and considers it to be temporary and anticipates recovery during the quarters ending August 31, 2006 and November 30, 2006.

 

 

 

 

11


 

Note 4. Stock Options:

Options may be granted from time to time for shares of common stock as determined by the Board of Directors, subject to any applicable shareholder approval requirements. The stock options granted to date vest over a period of 36 months. The options are exercisable up to ten years from the date of vesting.

On June 23, 2005, 150,000 options were granted to an employee and on December 14, 2005 1,253,600 options were granted to employees, Officers and Directors with an exercise price of $3.50, vesting over a 36 month period and are exercisable up to ten years from the date of grant. A summary of our outstanding stock options for the period ended February 28, 2006 is as follows:

 


Options Outstanding

Weighted Average
Exercise Price

Balance, May 31, 2005
     Expired
     Granted
     Exercised

Balance, February 28, 2006

969,621                
(487,121)                
1,403,600                
            --                

1,886,100                

$ 4.92                
$ 6.00                
$ 3.50                
       --                

$ 3.58                

The following table summarizes information regarding options outstanding and options exercisable at February 28, 2006:

 

Options Outstanding

Options Exercisable




Exercise
Price




Number of
Options

Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Life


Weight
Average
Exercise
Price



Number of
Options
Exercisable


Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price

           

$6.00
$3.50

62,500
1,823,600

.89
9.67

$6.00
$3.50

62,500
579,650

$6.00
$3.50

 

1,886,100

9.65

$3.66

642,150

$3.63

Note 5. Warrants:

We have 1,919,200 warrants outstanding as of February 28, 2006. These warrants are comprised of 1,514,200 warrants with an exercise price of $3.30, 270,000 with an exercise price of $3.60, and 135,000 warrants with an exercise price of $5.40 which were issued as part of a public offering that expire January 29, 2009.

12


 

Note 6. Other Receivables:

Other receivables include retained fees on Government contracts which represent up to a 15% payment hold back against billable fees and differences in actual and provisional overhead and general administrative rates which we expect are recoverable. We do not expect to receive payments for these other receivables in the next year and consider this account a long term asset. The summary below compares the balances for other receivables as of February 28, 2006 and May 31, 2005.

 

February 28, 2006

May 31, 2005

Retained Fee
     Phase III Socrates
Phase IV Socrates

Recoverable Rate difference
     Phase III and IV Socrates

Total


$  78,368
   15,087


   124,519

217,974


$  39,010
        --


291,000

$ 330,010

Other receivables includes recoverable rate differences resulting from the difference between the current overhead and general and administrative rates compared to our provisional rates, which has created a difference of $124,519 for the nine months ended February 28, 2006. We consider the recoverable rate difference as of February 28, 2006 to be a timing difference which we expect to be $0 by the end of our fiscal year May 31, 2006. The recoverable rate difference as of May 31, 2005 of $291,000 was billed to and paid by the DOT/VOLPE Center during the quarter ending November 30, 2005.

Note 7. Other Current Assets :

As of February 28, 2006, other current assets were $256,969 compared to $51,721 as of May 31, 2005. This net increase of $205,248 is primarily due to prepaid legal fees of $202,929. This amount represents the legal fees, over and above our Director's and Officer's (D&O) Liability insurance deductible of $200,000, for the preparation of the motion to dismiss a class action suit brought against the Company and certain Directors on July 14, 2004. After our D&O Insurance Carrier has reviewed and approved these charges, we expect our insurance company will reimburse us for a substantial portion of legal fees above the deductible.

 

 

 

 

 

 

13


 

Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

Cautionary Statement Pursuant to Safe Harbor Provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995:

Except for the historical information presented in this document, the matters discussed in this quarterly report on Form 10-QSB for the three and nine month period ending February 28, 2006 or otherwise incorporated by reference into this document, contain "forward-looking statements" (as such term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995). These statements are identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "believes", "plans", "intend", "scheduled", "potential", "continue", "estimates", "hopes", "goal", "objective", expects", "may", "will", "should" or "anticipates" or the negative thereof or other variations thereon or comparable terminology, or by discussions of strategy that involve risks and uncertainties. The safe harbor provisions of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, apply to forward-looking statements made by us. We caution you that no statements contained in this Form 10-QSB should be construed as a guarantee or assurance of future performance or results. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, which include risks and uncertainties associated with, among other things, the outcome of an informal inquiry by the SEC that appears to be in connection with certain analysts reports about us and our press releases, the outcome of pending class action litigation alleging violations of federal securities laws, whether the government will implement Wake Vortex Advisory System at all or with the inclusion of a SOCRATES® wake vortex sensor, the impact of competitive products and pricing, limited visibility into future product demand, slower economic growth generally, difficulties inherent in the development of complex technology, new products sufficiency, availability of capital to fund operations, research and development, fluctuations in operating results, and these and other risks are discussed in the "Known Trends, Risks and Uncertainties" section Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Conditions and Results of Operations of this Form 10-QSB. The actual results that we achieve may differ materially from any forward-looking statements due to such risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, and, except as required by law, we assume no obligation to update this information whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Readers are urged to carefully review and consider the various disclosures made by us in this Form 10-QSB and in our other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission that attempt to advise interested parties of the risks and factors that may affect our business.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Overview

Our current operations have been funded substantially by U.S. Congressional appropriations resulting in four successive sole source contracts with agencies of the federal government for research, development, and testing of our SOCRATES® wake vortex sensor and related work pertaining to a wake vortex advisory system, sometimes referred to as WVAS, that National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is developing. We estimate the appropriations to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) totaled approximately $9.6 million in U.S. fiscal years ending September 30, 1997 through September 30, 2000 for research and development of our SOCRATES® wake vortex sensor; and appropriations to NASA for research and development of our SOCRATES® wake vortex sensor totaled approximately $18.5 million in U.S. fiscal years ending September 30, 2001 through September 30, 2005. To date the total government appropriations for SOCRATES® and WVAS is approximately $28.1 million. From these amounts, we have received four contracts aggregating approximately $19.8 million in funding. As of February 28, 2006, we have recognized an aggregate of approximately $18.3 million of contract revenue with $0.3 million in contract receivable as of February 28, 2006. Our current SOCRATES® government contract backlog is approximately $1.5 million. The balance of the government appropriations from 1997 to 2005 of approximately $8.3 million has funded the FAA and NASA program management and technical participation in the development of our SOCRATES® wake vortex sensor and WVAS.

We have entered into these contracts with the Volpe National Transportation Systems Center of the U.S. Department of Transportation (Volpe). Volpe funds our contracts when, as, and if it and other sponsoring federal agencies approve a statement of work and specific task orders under the statement of work. When funded, we invoice the federal government monthly based on our direct costs, including overhead and general and administrative plus a fixed fee for that month and typically receive payment by electronic wire transfer within two weeks of invoicing. Certain costs, such as lobbying, product development, and business development expenses that are not allowable under these contracts, research and development costs we incur over certain cost caps set by the U.S. government, costs incurred while our contracts are not funded, or costs deemed unreasonable, and hence unrecoverable, by the government are not reimbursable under our government contracts and have been funded primarily by proceeds of our equity offerings. All of our government contracts and funding are subject to the requirements of the Federal Acquisition Regulations.

On September 25, 2005, we received our fourth successive contract from Volpe in the aggregate amount of approximately $9.9 million to continue research, development and testing of our SOCRATES® technology. The initial task order funding under this new contract provided approximately $1.7 million and was dated September 25, 2005. On January 27, 2006 we received our second task order under this new contract which provided approximately $1.4 million of new funding.

 

 

 

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The federal budget for U.S. FY 2006 does not contain any further stipulated earmarks for testing and development of SOCRATES®-based technology. We are continuing to explore additional funding from potential sources in the NASA and/or U.S. DOT budgets for U.S. FY 2007 and beyond.

The table below represents the U.S. Government funding to date for our four SOCRATES® contracts.

SOCRATES®
Phase

Contract
Number

Contract
Funding

Period of
Performance

I

DTRS-57-97-C-00042

$3,019,355      

From   June 1, 1997
To       July 31, 1999

II

DTRS-57-99-D-00074

$6,062,948      

From   August 27, 1999
To       December 31, 2003

III

DTRS-57-03-D-30024

$7,634,616      

From   November 1, 2003
To       October 15, 2005

IV


DTRT-57-05-D-30115
Task Order No: T0001

DTRT-57-05-D-30115
Task Order No: T0002

$1,695,029      



$1,409,025    

From   September 15, 2005
To       Present

From January 27, 2006
To       Present

Total contract funding to date

$19,820,973    

 

Our ability to generate additional revenue under our Phase IV contract after we have expended the current task order funding of $1,409,025, which is expected to support the current level of effort through approximately July 31, 2006, is subject to further U.S. Government funding and the issuance of additional task orders. The Phase IV contract was awarded on Sept. 25, 2005 for $9,815,140 and can be funded with new task orders which generally require less administrative effort than a new contract award, if additional funding is available under this contract. We believe the federal government has indicated a long-term interest in the development of a wake vortex avoidance system and our SOCRATES® wake vortex sensor for potential inclusion in such a system. However, there is currently $0 for further Research and Development of SOCRATES® Technology or WVAS in the current federal budget for its fiscal year 2006 budget. We are pursuing other sources of funding but can make no assurances of whether or when we will obtain additional funding for SOCRATES®. Our inability to obtain or delay in contract funding from the federal government could delay achievement of our profitability, if any, create a substantial strain on our liquidity, resources and product development, and have a material adverse effect on the progress of our research and development and our financial condition.

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From June 1, 1997, to the present we have advanced the SOCRATES® concept through various research and development milestones and now have a (16) beam SOCRATES® sensor installed at Denver International Airport where we anticipate the sensor will undergo further testing. Our current contract Task Order No. T0002 statement of work includes system engineering and concept of operations for a functional emulation of a WVAS and preparation for additional field testing. During the next New Years Eve holiday period there was a break-in and vandalism at our SOCRATES® sensor test site at Denver International Airport. A number of items were stolen from the SOCRATES® sensor van as well as from the U.S. Department of Transportation Volpe trailer on site. Damage to SOCRATES® sensor optoelectronics also occurred as a result of fire retardant chemicals being sprayed by the perpetrators. We have insurance coverage for the damage but our test schedules have been delayed.

We also are pursuing development of an airborne collision and ground proximity warning system we refer to as UNICORN™. We believe that UNICORN™ may have application to unmanned air vehicles operated for a variety of private and governmental purposes. As of February 28, 2006 the cumulative research and development expense for UNICORN™ is approximately $1,270,000. During August 2005 we tested a UNICORN™ prototype antenna in a proof-of-principle test. The data collected from this test is currently being analyzed and we currently are reviewing and considering how best to proceed with assessing marketing and partnering opportunities for UNICORN™.

During the past fiscal year, we also began the exploratory development of a third major technology initiative called TIICM™ (Tactical Integrated Illuminating Countermeasure) in conjunction with Sanders Design International (SDI), a New Hampshire company. TIICM™ is intended to provide a low cost yet highly effective shield of protection for airliners against the threat of certain terrorist-launched missiles. In April 2004, we executed a ten year Teaming Agreement with SDI under which we would be the prime contractor on development of countermeasure technologies to protect aircraft from shoulder-fired missiles. As of February 28, 2006 our cumulative independent research and development expense for TIICM™ is approximately $495,000. We have entered into additional arrangements with SDI pursuant to which we have applied for a new patent on TIICM™ with SDI and would have joint ownership of any resulting patent. We have also been working on TIICM™ with Analogic Corporation located in Peabody, Massachusetts. Analogic had entered into a prior licensing arrangement with SDI. We are in discussions with Analogic with regard to restructuring the business relationships between Analogic, SDI and Flight Safety Technologies, Inc. There can be no assurance that these discussions will result in a successful restructuring. In the Department of Homeland Security budget for U.S. Fiscal Year 2006, Congress added $10 Million for the investigation of emerging technology for the protection of civil aircraft against terrorist missile threats. We expect that there may be an opportunity to compete for a portion of these funds in the third to fourth quarter of calendar 2006. There can be no assurance that any new patents on TIICM™ will be issued, or that we will derive any revenue or profit from TIICM™, nor any expectation that we will receive any government or commercial funding for TIICM™.

 

 

17


 

We have experienced significant losses since our inception. The loss for the nine months ended February 28, 2006 was $1,248,162. Losses for our two fiscal years ending May 31, 2005 and 2004 were $1,411,644 and $424,214, respectively. The net loss for our fiscal year ended May 31, 2004 was caused primarily by two factors: (1) rate ceilings during the first six months, and (2) unallowable expenses under our government contract. The loss for the fiscal year ending May 31, 2005 was caused by: (1) unallowable expenses, (2) expenses during a partially unfunded period, and (3) unrecoverable expenses. The loss for the nine months ended February 28, 2006 were caused by (1) unallowable expenses, (2) unrecoverable expenses, and (3) corporate research and development expenses. The unrecoverable expense category represents general and administrative expenses, primarily legal expenses and independent research and development expense which we believe are necessary but are significantly higher compared to prior years and may be considered unreasonable by the Defense Contract Audit Agency for a company our size.

Our Phase III and Phase IV government contracts do not include rate ceilings. If the government deems our allowable expenses to be reasonable, of which there can be no assurance, the absence of rate ceilings should eliminate or reduce a significant source of losses in previous years. We will continue to incur certain unallowable expenses or allowable expenses the government deems unreasonable. We also remain subject to the risk of further delay, reduction or elimination in federal contract funding. However, it is our view that the elimination of rate ceilings is a significant improvement to our historical contract terms.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based on our financial statements that have been prepared according to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. In preparing these financial statements, we are required to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and related disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities. We evaluate these estimates on an on-going basis. We base these estimates on historical experiences and on various other assumptions that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. Our management has discussed these estimates and assumptions with our finance and audit committee. At this point in our operations, subjective judgments do not have a material impact on our financial statements except as discussed in the next paragraph.

Federal Acquisitions Regulations require that, among other things, our reimbursable costs are reasonable. We have analyzed our actual overhead rate and general administrative rate for the nine months ended February 28, 2006. We believe all component costs have been ordinary and necessary but that government auditors may consider our independent research and development expense for UNICORN™ technology, as of the nine months ended February 28, 2006

 

 

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unreasonable for a company our size. For rate setting purposes, we have excluded $430,000 for potential unrecoverable research and development and certain other general and administrative expenses for the nine months ending February 28, 2006. Since there is a degree of subjectivity in the judgment of what levels of cost are reasonable, we can make no assurance that the government will not require further adjustments.

Our financial statements and notes thereto include an item for "Other Receivables" that is described therein. Other receivables includes recoverable rate differences resulting from the difference between the current general and administrative rate compared to our provisional rate, which has created a difference of $124,519 as of February 28, 2006. We believe that this current difference is a timing issue and expect it to be $0 by the end of our fiscal year 2006.

As of the end of our fiscal year May 31, 2005 there was $291,000 in other receivable for recoverable rate difference. During our second quarter ended November 30, 2005 $214,326 was billed to the government. The balance of the rate difference of $76,674 was received from funds remaining in our third contract after the contract was completed. We have received full payment from the government for the $291,000 of previously reported other receivable.

Results of Operations

For the three and nine months ended February 28, 2006 and February 28, 2005.

Revenues. To date, our revenues have consisted almost entirely of revenues earned from our four successive SOCRATES® wake vortex sensor research and development contracts with the federal government.

Contract revenue for the three and nine months ended February 28, 2006 were $914,268 and $3,652,238, respectively, compared to $631,197 and $2,505,138, respectively, for the three and nine months ended February 28, 2005. The $1,147,100 increase for the nine months ended February 28, 2006 compared to the same period of the prior year was due to the increased subcontractor, direct labor and consultant cost to test the 16 beam SOCRATES® system during the three months ended November 30, 2005 at Denver International Airport.

Costs of Revenues. Subcontractor, consultant and direct labor expenses comprise our costs of revenues. Costs of revenue for the three and nine months ended February 28, 2006 were $469,332 and $2,171,700 or 51.3% and 59.5% respectively, compared to $370,154 and $1,673,542 or 58.6% and 66.8% respectively for the three and nine month periods ending February 28, 2005. The increase in cost of revenues is primarily due to increased cost to test the 16 beam SOCRATES® system in September and October 2005 at Denver International Airport. The decrease in the percent to revenue for the three and nine months ended February 28, 2006 compared to the same periods ended February 28, 2005 is primarily due to decreased subcontractor and consultant expenses.

 

 

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When our government contract is funded, charges to direct costs do not generally negatively impact our operating results because each contract covers its own direct costs. However, during periods when our government contract is not funded or if the actual direct cost of a specific task order exceeds its budgeted funding and the government is not willing to reallocate direct costs between task orders, any such costs we may incur are not reimbursable and must be funded from our own resources.

Research and Development. Our research and development expense for the three and nine months ended February 28, 2006 were $175,018 and $853,198 respectively, compared to $163,661 and $348,308 for the three and nine month period ended February 28, 2005. The increase in research and development expenses of $504,889 for the nine months was primarily due to the increase of approximately $435,000 for project TIICM™ (Tactical Integrated Illumination Countermeasure) compared to $0 for the nine months ended February 28, 2005. The balance of the increase of approximately $70,000 is due to increased cost for testing our UNICORN prototype system in August 2005.


Operating Expenses. Government contractors are required to categorize operating expenses as overhead expenses or general and administrative expenses. These two indirect "cost pools" are then divided by their appropriate "direct cost base" combinations of direct contract cost, which determines the contractors overhead and general and administrative rates. These rates, for our first two government contracts, were subject to ceilings.

Our third and fourth contracts are not limited by rate ceilings. Instead, we submit our proposal for provisional billing rates to the government for approval. Provisional rates are based on forecasted allowable direct and indirect costs. As part of the audit procedure by the D.C.A.A. proposed and actual expenses for each fiscal year are reviewed for allowability and reasonableness in accordance with the Federal Acquisitions Regulations (FAR). On October 31, 2005 our provisional rates for fiscal year ending May 31, 2006 were audited and approved by the defense contract audit agency (D.C.A.A.) and the DOT/VOLPE Center. In addition, our actual rates based on actual allowable costs incurred, for our fiscal year ended May 31, 2005 were also approved.

Our un-reimbursable non-contract costs include: 1) expenses considered unallowable per Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), such as lobbying, stock based compensation and company car expense, 2) over ceiling expenses, 3) expenses incurred during periods without government contract funding 4) expenses the government considers unreasonable and/or 5) corporate research and development primarily for TIICM™. These non-contract costs are not reimbursable under our U.S. government contracts and must be paid from other sources, primarily proceeds from the public and private sales of our equity securities. Non-contract costs have been the primary use of this source of liquidity and have had a


significant impact on our operating loss to date. Our non-contract costs are detailed below:

 

 

 

20


 

 

 

 

For the Nine Months Ended

   

2-28-06

 

2-28-05

 
   

(Unaudited)

 

Unallowable expenses (1) (2)
Expenses during unfunded period
Potential unrecoverable expense
Corporate Research and Development   
     Total

 

$430,725
--
430,000
435,016
$1,295,741

 

$517,474
401,903
240,000
--
$1,159,377

 

 

For the Three Months Ended

   

2-28-06

 

2-28-05

   

(Unaudited)

Unallowable expenses (3) (4)
Expenses during unfunded period
Potential unrecoverable expense
Corporate Research and Development
     Total

 

$129,483
--
160,000
185,369
$474,852

 

$318,747
--
120,000
--
$438,747

Notes:

(1) Includes $4,769 of stock based compensation expense for the nine months ended 2-28-06.
(2) Includes $47,223 of stock based compensation expense for the nine months ended 2-28-05.
(3) Includes $0 of stock based compensation expense for the three months ended 2-28-06.
(4) Includes $15,741 of stock based compensation expense for the three months ended 2-28-05.

Our total selling, general and administrative expenses consist of allowable and unallowable expenses. The table below shows the total of our allowable and unallowable selling, general and administrative expenses and details the primary increases and decreases for the three and nine months ended February 28, 2006 and February 28, 2005. Following the table is an explanation of the reasons for the changes.

 

3 months
2-28-06

3 months
2-28-05

9 months
2-28-06

9 months
2-28-05

Total Selling, General &
Administrative Exp.


$686,816


$528,699


$1,812,297


$1,477,925

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Increase/(Decrease) for
the three and nine months



$158,117



$334,372

 

Detail increase/(decrease)
by account for the
three and nine months

Allowable
     Salaries and wages
     Employee benefits
     Business development
     Directors fees
     Consulting fees
     Insurance expense
     Legal fees
     All other

Unallowable expense


$56,246
$59,996
$39,978
$20,438
$(8,659)
$92,884
$85,290
$1,208

$(189,264)


$123,508
$  83,044
$  31,357
$  49,386
$  55,227
$128,611
$(47,826)
$  (2,186)

$(86,749)

Total increase / (decrease)

$158,117

$334,372

Salaries & wages: The increase is primarily due to the addition of C. Robert Knight to the administrative staff as Secretary and General Counsel on June 23, 2005 and increased secretarial support staff.

Employee benefits: The increase is primarily due to increased benefits associated with the addition to staff of C. Robert Knight, the increase in the cost of health insurance and the issuance of an employee bonus in January 2006.

Business development: The increase is primarily due to trips to Germany to discuss our SOCRATES® technology and WVAS with Frankfort Airport Authority and to France for discussions with Air-Bus.

Director's fees: There have been several unscheduled Board of Directors meetings and committee meetings concerning management succession planning, staffing and employee issues and there have been additional compliance, disclosure and ethics oversight committee meetings.

Consulting fees: A consulting firm was retained to provide market analysis and strategic planning for our UNICORN™ technology and increased secretarial and clerical staff support requirements were covered with part time consulting during the six months ending November 30, 2005. During the three months ending February 28, 2006, employees covered the increased support requirements.

 

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Insurance: For all of FY2005, our interpretation of the Federal Acquisition Regulations considered our Directors and Officers (D&O) insurance an unallowable expense. During a Defense Contract Audit Agency audit in September 2006, we received a favorable opinion as to the allowability of D&O insurance. All D&O insurance is allowable for FY 2006. In addition, all insurance premiums have increased for FY 2006.

Legal fees: The increase for the three months ended February 28, 2006 compared to 2005 is due to an adjustment made for the quarter ended February 28, 2005 which reclassed legal fees associated with a class action against the company to unallowable expenses. The decrease for the nine months ended February 28, 2006 is because there were more legal fees associated with unallowable legal intellectual property issues than in FY2005.

Unallowable expense: The primary reasons for the decrease in unallowable expenses for the three months ending February 28, 2006 compared February 28, 2005 were decreased stock based compensation, decreased unallowable D&O insurance, decreased unallowable investor relations and a decrease caused by reclass adjustments to legal fees associated with a class action suit against the company. For the nine months ending February 28, 2006 and 2005, the decrease is due to the items discussed for the three month period less legal fees associated with a class action suit net of an increase in unallowable legal fees for intellectual property issues.

We have determined that some of our research and development expenses and certain other general and administrative expenses for the nine months ended February 28, 2006 could be considered unrecoverable. Accordingly, we have excluded $430,000 for potential unrecoverable expenses, from the calculation of our actual rates, for the nine months ended February 28, 2006, compared to $240,000 for the nine months ended February 28, 2005.


Liquidity and Capital Resources

Our liquidity is primarily provided by revenue from our government contracts and proceeds from the sale of our equity securities.

Our fourth contract, titled Phase IV SOCRATES®, is the fourth successive contract that we have received to continue work on our SOCRATES® wake vortex sensor and was initially funded at $1,695,029 and a second task order has provided additional funding of $1,409,025. Our funded contract backlog for our Phase IV contract as of February 28, 2006 was $1,501,812 and this backlog will fund our allowable operating expenses to approximately July 31, 2006.

As of February 28, 2006 and May 31, 2005, our cash and investments were $6,904,657 and $7,888,831, respectively. The decrease in cash on hand and investments of approximately $984,000 was primarily attributable to the net loss of approximately $1,250,000 and purchases of equipment and patent costs of approximately $117,000, offset by the increase in accounts payable of approximately $155,000 and the decrease in accounts receivables/other receivables of approximately $241,000 for the nine month period ended February 28, 2006.

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As of February 28, 2006 we had other receivables of $217,974 compared to $330,010 as of May 31, 2005. The decrease is due to the billing and cash receipt of approximately $291,000 of previously unbilled receivable rate difference on our Phase III contract, the addition of approximately $54,000 for retained fees on our Phase III and IV contracts and the addition of approximately $125,000 of rate difference as of the nine months ending February 28, 2006.

As of February 28, 2006 our accounts receivable were $286,699 compared to $415,617 as of May 31, 2005. The balance as of February 28, 2006 reflects the decrease in contract revenue of approximately $135,000 for the month ended February 28, 2006 compared to the month ended May 31, 2005. As of February 28, 2006 other current assets were $230,639 compared to $51,721 as of May 31, 2005. This increase of $178,318 is due to prepaid legal fees of $202,929 which primarily were for the preparation of a motion to dismiss a class action suit brought against us on July 14, 2004. Our current director's and officer's insurance policy has a $200,000 deductible and the $202,929 of prepaid legal fees is in excess of the deductible.

We had total current liabilities, including accounts payable, of $916,307 as of February 28, 2006 compared to $769,653 as of May 31, 2005. Accounts payable as of February 28, 2006 were $744,760, which included $213,980 to our subcontractor, Lockheed Martin Corporation, $252,974 to our three law firms, and $277,806 in other expenses compared to accounts payable as of May 31, 2005 of $589,313, which included $319,391 to Lockheed Martin, and $269,922 in other expenses.

We anticipate that our funded contract balance for Task Orders 0001 and 0002 of our Phase IV contract of approximately $1,500,000 as of February 28, 2006 will fund our direct contract for SOCRATES® research and development and allowable operating expenses until approximately July 31, 2006. For the three month period from March 1, 2006 to May 31, 2006, we have budgeted and expect to incur approximately $225,000 in non-contract unallowable costs, pay down our current accounts payable by $150,000, and incur approximately $250,000 in unallowable expense for internal research and development for project TIICM™. During this period, we have budgeted and expect to receive approximately $70,000 in fees from our contract billing, and approximately $80,000 of interest income. Assuming we operate within budget, as to which we can make no guaranty or assurance, we estimate our available cash and investments will be approximately $6,400,000 as of May 31, 2006. Any acceleration or delays in the performance of these contracts by us or our subcontractors could, respectively, exhaust or extend our contract funding prior to or after May 31, 2006. In either event, we might be required to draw upon our cash before we anticipate which would reduce the foregoing estimate.

Our use of cash projections does not consider additional funding from our new $9.815 million SOCRATES® research and development contract received September 15, 2005 beyond the current task order funding. In order to receive additional contract funding the government will request and we must submit a cost and technical proposal for review and approval of the government. As of the date of this report, we have not received a request for an additional task

 

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order and do not have a projection as to a date for additional task orders. Further task orders will require additional government funding for further research and development of SOCRATES® technology or WVAS, of which there is $0 in the current federal budget for its fiscal year ending September 30, 2006. We are actively pursuing various sources of funding but there can be no assurance as to whether or when we will obtain such funding. By July 31, 2006, there is a high probability that there will be no government or outside source of funding for the development of SOCRATES®, UNICORN™, or TIICM™ and we can make no assurance as to whether or when we will obtain any such funding. Lack of and further delays in obtaining additional government contract funding will require us to draw upon our cash to fund our operations and without such funding we would be unable to carry on and complete further research and development of SOCRATES® technology or WVAS, as well as our other technologies.

From time to time, we may consider and execute strategic investments, acquisitions, or other transactions that we believe could benefit us and could require the use of some or all of our liquidity. To facilitate such transactions and enhance our liquidity position for these and other purposes, such as working capital for research and development, we also may conduct from time to time various types of equity offerings, including, but not limited to, public or private offerings of common or preferred stock based on a negotiated fixed share value, or floating market price of our publicly traded shares. If we encounter delays in, or are unable to procure, contract funding from the U.S. government for further research development and testing of our SOCRATES® wake vortex sensor, incur costs over budget, or make a strategic investment, our cash resources will be reduced more rapidly than we presently anticipate. In such event, we may need to obtain additional capital to maintain operations. There can be no guarantee or assurance of our future ability to obtain capital for any of the foregoing purposes and, if obtained, the terms and conditions of such capital may dilute our present shareholders' ownership.

Known Trends, Risks and Uncertainties

Our business and future success are subject to many risks. The following describes some of the general and specific trends, risks, and uncertainties to which our business is subject and should be read with care.

Risks Related to Our Business

Our limited operating history and lack of commercial operations make it difficult to evaluate our prospects.

Since we began operations in 1997, we have generated limited revenues solely from four SOCRATES® technology research and development contracts with agencies of the federal government that fund, administer, and oversee these contracts. The federal government has funded these contracts from earmarked U.S. Congressional appropriations to agencies that have awarded these contracts to us on a sole source basis without competitive bidding. Under these contracts, we are reimbursed for certain allowable research and development costs and are paid a fee calculated as a percentage of costs.

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All of our contract funding to date, including the current and next anticipated task order, has resulted from earmarks made by the U.S. Congress during its budget and appropriation process. We do not expect to receive further contract funding for fiscal year 2006 in this manner. Rather, we expect our future contract funding will depend primarily upon and result from the decision of our sponsoring agencies, particularly the FAA, to approve contract funding for research and development of our SOCRATES® wake vortex sensor or the wake vortex advisory system as part of their agency budget and make funds available for such purpose from amounts appropriated to them by Congress or other sources. There can be no assurance that we will be successful in obtaining any such funding.

We have not as yet received any revenue from the sale of any products. We do not anticipate receiving any such revenue unless and until our SOCRATES®, UNICORN™ or TIICM™ based products become operational, which could take several years. Our estimates of the market size for the products we are developing are based on many assumptions and uncertainties. Estimates for UNICORN™ have recently been evaluated by an outside consulting firm. The actual markets and price we can charge for our products, if and when we successfully complete their development, could be substantially less and our costs could be greater than our estimates. It therefore is difficult to assess our prospects for commercial sales, revenues and profitability.

We have incurred and, for the next several years, can be expected to incur operating losses.

To date, we have incurred significant net losses, including net losses of $1,248,162 for the nine months ended February 28, 2006, $1,411,644 for our fiscal year ended May 31, 2005 and $424,214 for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2004. We had an accumulated deficit of $5,544,043 as of February 28, 2006. We anticipate we may continue to incur operating losses for at least the next several years. We may never generate material revenues or achieve or maintain profitability. Substantially all our revenues have been devoted to payment of costs incurred in the research, development, and testing of our SOCRATES® or UNICORN™ technology. Our ability to achieve, maintain, and/or increase profitability will depend in large part upon the successful further development and testing of our SOCRATES®, UNICORN™-based, and TIICM™ products, Congressional appropriations and our ability to obtain additional federal research and development contracts for SOCRATES®, UNICORN™ and TIICM™ based products, approval of our SOCRATES®, UNICORN™-based, and TIICM™ products and systems by various agencies of the federal government, procurement of our products and systems by the FAA, airports and the aviation industry, and the availability of funding to finance such procurements.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Lack of future funding from the federal government to complete research and development of our SOCRATES® wake vortex sensor could adversely affect our business.

The current federal budget for its fiscal year ending September 30, 2006 does not contain contract funding for further research and development of our SOCRATES® technology and, at present, it is too early to determine if we will succeed in obtaining such funding in the federal budget for its fiscal year 2007 that commences October 1, 2006. In any event, we do not anticipate the receipt of additional government funding for our Phase IV SOCRATES® technology contract, if at all, before July 31, 2006. We continue to explore government funding for research and development of our SOCRATES® technology and our other technologies, as well as other sources but can make no assurance as to whether, when or in what amount we will be able to obtain any such funding. While we believe the federal government will continue to have a long-term interest in the development of a wake vortex advisory system and our SOCRATES® wake vortex sensor for inclusion in such a system, the U.S. government may terminate our government contract at any time if it determines such termination is in the best interests of the government or may terminate, reduce or modify it because of budgetary constraints or any change in the government's requirements. Furthermore, the federal government has in the past delayed or reduced and may in the future delay, reduce, or eliminate funding for research and development of our SOCRATES® wake vortex sensor or the wake vortex advisory system as a result of, among other things, lack of progress or set backs in technology development, a reduction in support or opposition from supervising agencies or the U.S. Congress, changes in budgetary priorities, fiscal constraints caused by federal budget deficits, or decisions to fund competing systems or components of systems. If this occurs, it will reduce our resources available for research and development of our proprietary technologies, new products or enhancements to SOCRATES®, UNICORN™ or TIICM™ technologies and to market our products. Termination or reduction of contract funding from the federal government could prevent or delay achievement of or increases in profitability, if any, create a substantial strain on our liquidity, resources and product development, and have a material adverse effect on the progress of our research and development and our financial condition.

The government will not pay us for SOCRATES® research and development if we do not perform on our contract.

We perform our government contracts pursuant to specific work orders from the government. Such work orders include, but are not limited to, analysis of data, research, development of our SOCRATES® technology, planning and conduct of testing, and preparation of various reports. If we do not perform the contracts in accordance with their terms, the government may withhold payment on our invoices that we submit monthly. Furthermore, if at any point the government considers a test to be a failure, it may cease to approve further work orders or fund further contracts. Loss of funding on our SOCRATES® contract would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

 

 

 

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Our success depends on our successful product development and testing.

Our future success will depend upon our ability to successfully complete the development, testing, and commercialization of our technologies and our ability to develop and introduce new products and services to meet industry, government, and client requirements. We are planning to eventually develop a number of products, based on our SOCRATES®, UNICORN™ and TIICM™ technologies. The process of developing such products contains significant technological and engineering hurdles and is extremely complex and expensive. In 2001, Volpe and associated federally funded research centers prepared reports which concluded it was unlikely SOCRATES® would result in a sensor that could be used for any operational procedure and even for research because of technical unknowns relating to an understanding of wake vortices and the need to obtain acceptance of WVAS by controllers and pilots. We believe this conclusion was premature and based on an incomplete understanding of SOCRATES® and its operational potential. In our opinion, the testing and analysis we have conducted has increasingly supported this potential and resulted in the continuation of funding for our government contracts for research, development and testing of our SOCRATES® technology. However, there still are technical, engineering and program integration hurdles we must meet to develop SOCRATES® into an operational sensor, including, but not limited to, expanding the sensor to at least sixteen and as many as thirty-two laser beams, integrating the sensor into and with the other components of WVAS, and developing operating protocols for WVAS that define how it would be used by air traffic controllers and pilots. In the case of UNICORN™, we must successfully overcome development, engineering and testing hurdles to produce an operational product and obtain FAA approval of this product. Furthermore, we will need to extend the term of the experimental license the FCC has granted us and, ultimately, obtain a permanent license from the FCC for the operation of UNICORN™. We might not successfully complete the development of our SOCRATES®, UNICORN™ or TIICM™ technologies into operational products and our products may not be commercially viable. Our failure to complete development of any such products and achieve market acceptance would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

In addition, certain of our products will require customized installation to address unique characteristics of their environments. Customization could place an additional burden on our resources or delay the delivery or installation of products which, in turn, could have a material adverse effect on our relationship with clients, our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Our success depends on federal government approval of our products and related systems.

The airport and aviation industry is subject to extensive government oversight and regulation. To introduce our SOCRATES®, UNICORN™ or TIICM™ based products for commercial sale, we must successfully complete research, development, and testing and obtain necessary governmental approvals for their installation. Upon approval by the Federal Aviation Administration, or FAA, our SOCRATES® wake vortex sensor would be part of a multi-component wake vortex advisory system that also will require government approvals before it can be deployed. Any factor that delays or adversely affects this approval process, including delays in development or inability to obtain necessary government approvals, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations, and we can make no assurance when or if all such approvals will be obtained.

Our business relies on a strategic alliance with Lockheed Martin Corporation.

In May 1997, we signed a Teaming Agreement with Lockheed Martin Corporation to jointly develop and market SOCRATES® based products. This agreement will expire in May 2007, unless certain earlier termination provisions occur or the agreement is extended by mutual agreement. The agreement stipulates that we serve as prime contractor and Lockheed Martin Corporation as subcontractor in the development and any deployment of our SOCRATES® wake vortex sensor. Although to date we have generally worked in close cooperation with Lockheed Martin Corporation, there is no assurance that this relationship will be sustained. Future disagreements as to work scope, revenue share, profit margins, ownership of intellectual property, or technical, marketing, or management philosophy, could adversely impact the relationship. Since we view our strategic relationship with Lockheed Martin Corporation as a vital element of our business plan, any erosion of this relationship could have a negative impact on our business and future value.

On April 26, 2004, in conjunction with the renewal of a nondisclosure agreement, we were advised by Lockheed Martin Corporation that it owns a certain patent which predates our SOCRATES® patent and, according to Lockheed Martin Corporation, contains some intellectual property related to our SOCRATES® patent. Lockheed Martin Corporation has told us that it was prevented from previously disclosing the patent to us because of a government secrecy order. After consultation with counsel, including our patent counsel, we strongly believe that the Lockheed Martin Corporation patent will not impair the value of our SOCRATES® patent because our SOCRATES® patent is aimed at improving air traffic safety, a use not contemplated by the Lockheed Martin Corporation patent. Furthermore, it is our position that Lockheed Martin Corporation acknowledged and accepted our invention of the SOCRATES® technology in the Teaming Agreement between us in May 1997. We have met several times with Lockheed Martin Corporation to discuss the matter and potential opportunities relating to our SOCRATES® patent. To date, Lockheed Martin Corporation continues to disagree with our position.

 

 

 

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In our continuing discussion with Lockheed Martin Corporation concerning our respective intellectual property claims, Lockheed Martin has asserted that essentially all of its work product, which results from research and development on SOCRATES® technology pursuant to work orders from us, is its property. We have informed Lockheed Martin that we believe that we own or have rights to use such work product, subject to any rights of the government. While we are continuing discussions on these and other issues, Lockheed has informed us that it is temporarily suspending its contract effort on task order No. 2 of our Phase IV contract for SOCRATES® technology and related matters until these issues are resolved. We are continuing to work on task order No. 2 and believe as to task order No. 2 that such efforts may be minimally impacted because the focus of this work is primarily on the development of WVAS display emulation software which currently is being performed by us and others. We can make no assurance as to whether or when these issues will be resolved with Lockheed Martin in a satisfactory manner or when or if it will lift its work suspension. It is too early for us to assess how this situation will impact us. However, a prolonged suspension could have a material adverse effect upon our ability to obtain further government funding for and carryout research, development of our SOCRATES® technology, as well as on our operations, finances and prospects for successful completion and commercialization of SOCRATES® technology. We cannot predict or provide any assurance on the outcome of these discussions and whether any outcome will be satisfactory to us.

We may need to raise additional capital.

We cannot be certain that our present financial resources will be adequate or sufficient for our future needs. We face many uncertainties with respect to research and development and the timing of commercialization of our SOCRATES®, UNICORN™ and TIICM™ based products, the availability and level of government funding, the FAA approvals required for our products, and the long sales cycle from initial customer contact to actual, if any, revenue generation. Depending on the outcome of these uncertainties, we might not be able to generate sufficient, if any, revenue or investment capital to fund our research and development and operations over the period of years we believe are required to commercialize our products. In each of our last three fiscal years, we have incurred substantial operating losses which we have funded, in part, with equity capital that we raised from new investors.

We will continue to incur significant expenses for research and development and testing of our SOCRATES®, UNICORN™ and TIICM™ technology and may continue to experience such losses prior to commercialization and thereafter. If we cannot achieve commercialization of our SOCRATES®, UNICORN™ and TIICM™ technologies within our present financial resources or if we are unable to generate sufficient working capital from revenue from government funding or private contracts for these purposes, we would need to seek additional capital. In addition,

 

 

 

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other unforeseen costs, including, without limitation, marketing, sales and installation and research and development costs of later generation SOCRATES®, UNICORN™ and TIICM™ based products also could require us to seek additional capital. We do not have any credit facilities in place and, should the need for additional capital arise, we may not be able to obtain sufficient, if any, additional capital or raise such capital on acceptable terms. If we need to obtain additional debt or equity capital, it may include our entry into joint ventures or issuance of additional securities, which may cause dilution to our current capital structure and stockholders' ownership. Additional securities also could have a greater priority as to dividends, distributions and other rights than our common stock.

For the life of our public warrants, and the underwriter's warrants issued pursuant to our recent public offering, and our existing unregistered options, the holders thereof are given the opportunity to profit from a rise in the market for our common stock, with a resulting dilution in the interest of all other stockholders. So long as these warrants or options are outstanding, the terms on which we could obtain additional capital may be adversely affected. The holders of these warrants or options might be expected to exercise them at a time when we would, in all likelihood, be able to obtain any needed capital by a new offering of securities on terms more favorable than those provided by these warrants or options.

Loss of key personnel could adversely affect our business.

Our future success depends to a significant degree on the skills, experience and efforts of our executive officers, Samuel A. Kovnat, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, William B. Cotton, President and Director, Frank L. Rees, Executive Vice President and Director, David D. Cryer, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, C. Robert Knight, General Counsel, Vice President of Administration and Secretary, and Dr. Neal Fine, Senior Vice President for Technology. The sustained unavailability of any one or more of those individuals for any reason could have a material adverse impact on our operations and prospects.

At a recent meeting of our Board of Directors, Mr. Kovnat and Mr. Rees announced their intention to retire on November 30, 2007. The Board intends to develop an orderly plan of succession to appropriately carry the company forward.

We anticipate hiring additional executive officers in the future. We may not be able to complete the hiring of these additional officers in a timely manner or at all. We also depend on the ability of our executive officers and other members of senior management to continue to work effectively as a team.

Government regulation could adversely affect our business.

As a result of receiving contract funding from the federal government and our involvement in the field of aviation, our business and operations are subject to numerous government laws and regulations. In the near term, and for so long as we receive funding from the federal government, we will be subject to many procurement and accounting rules and regulations of the federal

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government. We are also subject to periodic audits by the Defense Contract Audit Agency, or DCAA. To date, we are current on all D.C.A.A. required audits and our last audit for FY 2006 provisional rates was completed on October 31, 2005 and accepted as submitted. Reports have been issued by the D.C.A.A. to our government customer which have stated that we are performing in accordance with Federal Acquisitions Regulations. There is no assurance that any of the results or contents of any future audits will portray us favorably. These rules and regulations are complex in nature and sometimes difficult to interpret or apply. Adherence to these rules is reviewed by participating agencies of the federal government. If such agencies suspect or believe that violations of procurement or accounting rules and regulations have occurred, they may refer such matters to other enforcement divisions of the federal government, such as the U.S. Attorney's Office or the Inspector General's office. If we violate these rules and regulations, even if unintentionally, we may have to pay fines and penalties or could be terminated from receiving further funding from the federal government. If we market, sell and install our products in foreign countries, the laws, rules and regulations of those countries, as well as certain laws of the United States, will apply to us. Existing as well as new laws and regulations of the United States and foreign countries which regulate aviation and airports could also adversely affect our business.

Our success depends on our ability to protect our proprietary technology.

Any failure by us to protect our intellectual property could harm our business and competitive position. For example, although we have sought patent protection for our technologies, the steps we have taken or intend to take with regard to protecting our technologies may not be adequate to defend and prevent misappropriation of our technology, including the possibility of reverse engineering and the possibility that potential competitors will independently develop technologies that are substantially equivalent or superior to our technology. Furthermore, any patent we have obtained or may obtain may subsequently be invalidated for any of a variety of reasons. In addition, even if we are issued a patent, we may not be able to gain any commercial advantage from such patent. Existing United States laws afford only limited intellectual property protection.

We intend to use a combination of patent, trade secret, copyright and trademark law, nondisclosure agreements, and technical measures to protect our proprietary technology. We intend to enter into confidentiality agreements with and obtain assignments of intellectual property from all of our employees, as well as with our clients and potential clients, and intend to limit access to and distribution of our technology, documentation and other proprietary information. However, the steps we take in this regard may not be adequate to deter misappropriation or independent third-party development of our technology. In addition, the laws of some foreign countries do not protect proprietary technology rights to the same extent as do the laws of the United States. If we resort to legal proceedings to enforce our intellectual

 

 

 

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property rights, the proceedings could be burdensome and expensive and could involve a high degree of risk to our proprietary rights if we are unsuccessful in such proceedings. Moreover, our financial resources may not be adequate to enforce or defend our rights in our technology. Additionally, any patents that we apply for or obtain may not be broad enough to protect all of the technology important to our business, and our ownership of patents does not in itself prevent others from securing patents that may block us from engaging in actions necessary to our business, products, or services.

Other companies may claim that we infringe their intellectual property or proprietary rights.

If our proprietary technology violates or is alleged to violate third party proprietary rights, we may be required to reengineer our technology or seek to obtain licenses from third parties to continue offering our technology without substantial reengineering. Any such efforts may not be successful or if successful could require payments that could have a material adverse effect on our profitability and financial condition. Any litigation involving infringement claims against us would be expensive and time-consuming, and an adverse outcome may result in payment of damages or injunctive relief that could materially and adversely affect our business.

Under certain circumstances, the federal government may be able to use our SOCRATES®-related technologies or other technologies developed with government funding without payment to us.

We have taken certain steps to preserve our rights in our SOCRATES®-related technologies under our contracts with the federal government. However, as is the case with all research and development contracts funded by the federal government, the Federal Acquisition Regulations provide that, under certain circumstances, the federal government may have paid-up rights to use, or have used on its behalf, our SOCRATES®-related technologies or other technologies developed with government funding. We do not expect that the federal government will attempt to use our SOCRATES®-related technologies without compensating us. Nevertheless, if the federal government attempts to exercise these rights, it is difficult to predict what effect, if any, it may have on us. If the federal government succeeds in exercising these rights, it may have a material adverse effect on our business operations and financial performance, which could negatively affect the value of our stock.

Our future customers, including the FAA, may not accept the price of or be able to finance our products.

At present, we cannot precisely fix a price for the sale and installation of an initial SOCRATES® wake vortex sensor at airports or UNICORN™-based collision avoidance systems in small aircraft or TIICM™ in commercial airliners. We estimate that the cost of our SOCRATES® wake vortex sensor will be roughly $9 million to $20 million per airport installation, depending on, among other things, the number and configuration of runways. Due to developments in the market for general aviation collision warning and avoidance products and information we have

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obtained from our ongoing research, development and engineering of UNICORN™, we now expect the UNICORN™-based system could be more complex than we originally envisioned. As a result, we anticipate the wholesale price of this product could be substantially greater than the $10,000 price we have previously estimated. As we develop further information on the configuration and components of a UNICORN™-based system for general aviation, related production costs, and rapidly evolving competitive technologies, we will reassess the potential market for a commercial UNICORN™-based collision avoidance system for general aviation. Our current goal is to use and build on the UNICORN™ research and development we have conducted to date for application to unmanned air vehicles, if we can obtain government funding for this purpose. While we have had discussions with the federal government in this regard, it is still too early to assess our prospects for obtaining such funding. Because we have not completed the research, development, and testing of either product or received final approvals for either of them from the federal government, we have not commenced production or marketing efforts. We currently do not anticipate having these products ready for commercial sale for at least several years. We therefore are not yet in a position to gauge the reaction of potential customers to the pricing of these products or future products and whether such potential customers will be able to afford and finance our products.

We believe that the increase in efficiency and safety to airports, airlines, and private aircraft resulting from our products will justify the substantial anticipated cost of sales and installation of these products. However, our customers' ability to afford such costs will depend, in part, on the health of the overall economy, the financial condition and budget priorities of the federal government, particularly the FAA and NASA, profitability of airports, airlines, and aircraft manufacturers, and the availability of private and government sources of funding to finance the sales and acquisition of our products. While a variety of potential funding sources exist, inability of the FAA, airlines or airports to access or obtain funding for purchase and installation of our products could have a material adverse impact on sales of our SOCRATES®, UNICORN™ or TIICM™ based products.

We may experience long sales cycles.

We expect to experience long time periods between initial sales contacts and the execution of formal contracts for our products and completion of product installations. The cycle from first contact to revenue generation in our business involves, among other things, selling the concept of our technology and products; developing and implementing a pilot program to demonstrate the capabilities and accuracy of our products; negotiating prices and other contract terms; and, finally, installing and implementing our products on a full-scale basis. We anticipate this cycle will entail a substantial period of time, on average between seven to twelve months, and the lack of revenue experienced during this cycle and the expenses involved in bringing new sales to the point of revenue generation would put a substantial strain on our resources.

 

 

 

 

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Our success will depend on our ability to create effective sales, marketing, production and installation forces.

At present and for the near future, we will depend upon a relatively small number of employees and subcontractors to complete the research and development of our SOCRATES® wake vortex sensor and pursue research and development of other SOCRATES®, UNICORN™ and TIICM™ based products. The marketing and sales of these products will require us to find additional capable employees or subcontractors who can understand, explain, market, and sell our technology and products to airports, airlines, and airplane manufacturers. We also will need to assemble new personnel and/or contractors for production and installation of our products. Upon successful completion of research and development, these demands will require us to rapidly increase the number of our employees, vendors, and subcontractors. There is intense competition for capable personnel in all of these areas, and we may not be successful in attracting, integrating, motivating, or retaining new personnel, vendors, or subcontractors for these required functions.

Our business could be adversely affected if our products fail to perform properly.

Products and systems as complex as ours may contain undetected errors or "bugs," which result in system failures, or failure to perform in accordance with industry expectations. Despite our plans for quality control and testing measures, our products including any enhancements may contain such bugs or exhibit performance degradation, particularly during the early stages of installation, and deployment. Product or system performance problems could result in loss of or delay in revenue, loss of market share, failure to achieve market acceptance, adverse publicity, injury to our reputation, diversion of development resources and claims against us by governments, airlines, airline customers, and others.

We could be subject to liability claims relating to malfunction of our technology.

Sale of our products will depend on their ability to improve airport, airline, and airplane safety and efficiency. We will take great care to test our products and systems after installation and before actual operation to insure accuracy and reliability. The FAA acquires air traffic control equipment for U.S. airports, and typically assumes the principal product liability risk for such equipment. However, unforeseen problems, misuse, or changing conditions could cause our products and systems to malfunction or exhibit other operational problems. Such problems could cause, or be perceived to cause, airplane accidents, including passenger fatalities. We may receive significant liability claims if governments, airlines, airports, passengers and other parties believe that our systems have failed to perform their intended functions. Liability claims could require us to spend significant time and money in litigation, pay substantial damages, and increased insurance premiums, regardless of our responsibility for such failure. Although we plan to maintain liability insurance, such coverage may not continue to be available on reasonable terms or be available in amounts sufficient to cover one or more large claims, and the insurer may disclaim coverage as to any claim.

 

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We face significant competition from other companies.

The air safety systems and air traffic control industries are already highly competitive. Other industry participants could develop or improve their own systems to achieve the cost efficiencies and value that we believe our products will provide upon successful completion of research and development. Additional companies may enter the market with competing systems as the size and visibility of the market opportunity increases. In addition, the government could cause us to compete against other companies for research and development or production and deployment of our SOCRATES® wake vortex sensor, when and if we successfully complete its development. Many of our potential competitors have longer operating histories, greater name recognition, substantially greater financial, technical, marketing, management, service, support, and other resources than we do. Therefore, they may be able to respond more quickly than we can to new or changing opportunities, technologies, standards, or customer requirements. Competition could reduce our revenues and margins and have a material adverse effect on our operations.

New products or technologies will likely increase the competitive pressures that we face. Increased competition could result in pricing pressures, reduced margins, or the failure of our products to achieve or maintain market acceptance. The development of competing products or technologies by market participants or the emergence of new industry or government standards may adversely affect our competitive position. As a result of these and other factors, we may be unable to compete effectively with current or future competitors. Such inability would likely have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, or results of operations.

Rapid technological change could render our systems obsolete.

Our business in general is characterized by rapid technological change, frequent new product and service introductions and enhancements, uncertain product life cycles, changes in customer requirements, and evolving industry standards which make us susceptible to technological obsolescence. The introduction of new products embodying new technologies, the emergence of new industry standards, or improvements to existing technologies could render our products and systems obsolete or relatively less competitive. Our future success will depend upon our ability to continue to develop and introduce a variety of new products and to address the increasingly sophisticated needs of our customers. We may experience delays in releasing new products and systems or enhancements in the future. Material delays in introducing new products and systems or enhancements may cause customers to forego purchases of our products and systems and purchase products and systems of competitors instead.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Failure to properly manage growth could adversely affect our business.

To implement our strategy, we believe that we will have to grow rapidly. Rapid growth may strain our management, financial, and other resources. To manage any future growth effectively, we must expand our sales, marketing, production, installation, and customer support organizations, invest in research and development of new products or enhancements to existing systems that meet changing customer needs, enhance our financial and accounting systems and controls, integrate new personnel or contractors, and successfully manage expanded operations. We may not be able to effectively manage and coordinate our growth so as to achieve or maximize future profitability.

We must hire and retain skilled personnel.

Our success depends in large part upon our ability to attract, train, motivate, and retain highly skilled employees, particularly sales and marketing personnel, scientists, engineers, and other technical support personnel. Our failure to attract and retain the highly trained technical personnel that are integral to our direct sales, product development, installation, support, and professional services may limit the rate at which we can generate sales or develop new products or system enhancements, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, or results of operations.

Any acquisition we make could disrupt our business and harm our financial condition.

We may attempt to acquire businesses or technologies that we believe are a strategic fit with our business. We currently have no commitments for any acquisition. Any future acquisition may result in unforeseen operating difficulties and expenditures, and may absorb significant management attention that would otherwise be available for ongoing development of our business. Since we may not be able to accurately predict these difficulties and expenditures, these costs may outweigh the value we realize from a future acquisition. Future acquisitions could result in issuances of equity securities that would reduce our stockholders' ownership interest, the incurrence of debt, contingent liabilities, amortization of expenses related to other intangible assets and the incurrence of large, immediate write-offs.

You should carefully read and evaluate this entire Form 10-QSB and our current SEC filings including the risks it describes and not consider or rely upon any statement, information or opinion about us that is not contained in this Form 10-QSB and our current SEC filings.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Certain statements, information and opinions about us have appeared and may continue to appear in published news reports, analysts' reports, other media sources and our web site. Some of the information contained in these reports or sources may not be material to understanding our business or may be out of date, erroneous or inconsistent with that disclosed in this Form 10-QSB and our current SEC filings. In making a decision to invest in our securities, you should not rely upon any of these statements, information or opinions and should only rely upon, consider and carefully evaluate the information and risks contained in this Form 10-QSB and our current SEC filings.

We currently are involved in an informal SEC investigation.

The staff of the SEC is conducting an informal investigation that appears to be looking into certain analyst reports about us and our press releases. To date, the SEC staff has not asserted that we have acted improperly or illegally. We have voluntarily agreed to cooperate fully with the staff's informal investigation. We believe that we have acted properly and legally with respect to these analyst reports and our press releases. However, we can neither predict the length, scope, or results of the informal investigation nor its impact, if any, on us or our operations. An adverse outcome, which we cannot predict, could negatively impact the market value of our securities and could divert the efforts and attention of our management team from our ordinary business operations.

We may suffer losses from various investments that we make and related market risks.

From time to time, we may make various types of investments which include, but may not be limited to, acquisitions of other companies, strategic transactions and joint ventures, repurchase of our shares, and general investment of our available cash in various types of debt and equity securities. Some of these investments, such as acquisitions or joint ventures, may involve a high degree of risk and we could lose the entire amount of our investment. Other investments are intended to be conservative, e.g., investment of cash reserves in high quality bonds or equity funds, but are subject to judgments about many factors beyond our control which can adversely affect these types of investments. For example, a rise in such interest rates will adversely affect the value of fixed income securities we hold and we may incur a loss of principal if we have to sell under such conditions. A decline in interest rates may reduce our investment income. We attempt to be prudent in making any of the foregoing investments, which are reviewed and approved by management and our board of directors. These types of transactions are necessary and important for the success of our overall business and our efforts to create value for our shareholders. However, we have suffered losses on certain of these investments and can make no assurance that we will not suffer losses in the future. Any such losses could have a material adverse impact on our results of operations and cash available to support our operations and investment in research and development.

 

 

 

 

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Risks Related to Investment in Our Securities

The price of our securities could be volatile and subject to wide fluctuations.

The market price of the securities of a pre-commercial, research and development stage aviation technology company, such as ours, can be especially volatile. Thus, the market price of our securities could be subject to wide fluctuations. In fact, the trading volume and price of our shares have fluctuated greatly. Subject to the information set forth in this Form 10-QSB, we are unaware of any specific reasons for this volatility and cannot predict whether or for how long it will continue.

If our revenues do not grow or grow more slowly than we anticipate, we are unable to procure federal contracts for our SOCRATES® wake vortex sensor UNICORN™ or TIICM™ research and development, we encounter technical or engineering obstacles to the successful commercial development of SOCRATES®, UNICORN™ or TIICM™, our operating or capital expenditures exceed our expectations and cannot be adjusted accordingly, or if some other event adversely affects us, the market price of our securities could decline. In addition, if the market for aviation technology stocks or the stock market in general experiences a loss in investor confidence or otherwise fails, the market price of our securities could fall for reasons unrelated to our business, results of operations, and financial condition. The market price of our securities also might decline in reaction to events that affect other companies in our industry even if these events do not directly affect us. Furthermore, the sale in the open market of recently sold securities or newly issued securities, which we may sell from time to time to raise funds for various purposes, and securities issuable upon the exercise of purchase rights under existing options and warrants may place downward pressure on the market price of our securities.

Speculative traders may anticipate a decline in the market price of our securities and engage in short sales of our securities. Such short sales could further negatively affect the market price of our securities.

Litigation could adversely affect our operating results and financial condition.

Companies that have experienced volatility in the market price of their stock have been the subject of securities class action litigation. We and our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and President are defendants in pending litigation (as described in "Part II - Other Information, Item 1. Legal Proceedings" of this Form 10-QSB) that alleges violations of federal securities laws. We firmly believe that the claims contained in the complaint are without merit and intend to conduct a vigorous defense in this matter. However, defending against existing and potential securities and class action litigation will likely require significant attention and resources and, regardless of the outcome, result in significant legal expenses, which will adversely affect our results unless covered by insurance or recovered from third parties. If our defenses are ultimately unsuccessful, or if we are unable to achieve a favorable resolution, we could be liable for damage awards that could materially adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.

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An active trading market for our securities may not be developed or sustained which could limit the liquidity of an investment in our securities.

There is a limited trading market for our securities which are currently trading on the American Stock Exchange. There is no assurance that we will be able to continue to meet the listing requirements and that our securities will remain listed on the American Stock Exchange. If we are delisted from the American Stock Exchange, an investor could find it more difficult to dispose of, or to obtain accurate quotations as to the market value of, our securities. Additionally, regardless of which exchange our securities may trade on, an active and liquid trading market may not develop or, if developed, may not be sustained, which could limit security holders' ability to sell our securities at a desired price.

If any of our securities are delisted from the American Stock Exchange, we may be subject to the risks relating to penny stocks.

If any of our securities were to be delisted from trading on the American Stock Exchange and the trading price of such security remains below $5.00 per share on the date such security was delisted, trading in such security would also be subject to the requirements of certain rules promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These rules require additional disclosure by broker-dealers in connection with any trades involving a security defined as a penny stock and impose various sales practice requirements on broker-dealers who sell penny stocks to persons other than established customers and accredited investors, generally institutions. The additional burdens imposed upon broker-dealers by such requirements may discourage broker-dealers from effecting transactions in our securities, which could severely limit the market price and liquidity of such securities and the ability of purchasers to sell our securities in the secondary market. A penny stock is defined generally as any non-exchange listed equity security that has a market price of less than $5.00 per share, subject to certain exceptions.

A large number of shares may be sold in the market following our recent public offering which may cause the price of our securities to decline.

Sales of a substantial number of shares of our common stock or other securities in the public markets, or the perception that these sales may occur, could cause the market price of our common stock or other securities to decline and could materially impair our ability to raise capital through the sale of additional securities. We have 8,215,210 shares of our common stock outstanding. Of our outstanding shares, 6,460,503 are eligible for public trading.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

40


 

Certain events could result in a dilution of your ownership of our common stock.

As of February 28, 2006 we have 8,215,210 shares of common stock outstanding and an aggregate of 3,805,300 warrants and options. The exercise price of all of our common stock equivalents ranges from $3.30 to $6.00 per share of common stock. Some of these warrants and options may provide antidilution protection to their holders which would result in our issuance of shares in addition to those under the warrant or option, upon the occurrence of sales of our common stock below certain prices, stock splits, redemptions, mergers, and other similar transactions. Furthermore, from time to time we may issue additional shares of common stock in private or public transactions to raise funds for working capital, research and development, acquisitions, or other purposes. If one or more of these events occurs, the number of outstanding shares of our common stock would increase and dilute your percentage ownership of our common stock.

If we do not maintain an effective registration statement or comply with applicable state securities laws, you may not be able to exercise our public warrants.

For any holder to be able to exercise our public warrants, the shares of our common stock underlying the public warrants must be covered by an effective and current registration statement and qualify or be exempt under the securities laws of the state or other jurisdiction in which you live. We cannot assure you that we will continue to maintain a current registration statement relating to the shares of our common stock underlying our public warrants or that an exemption from registration or qualification will be available throughout their term. This may have an adverse effect on demand for our public warrants and the prices that can be obtained from reselling them.

Our public warrants may be redeemed on short notice. This may have an adverse impact on their price.

We may redeem our public warrants for $0.25 per warrant, subject to adjustment in the event of a stock split, dividend or the like, upon 30 days' notice so long as the last reported sale price per share of our common stock as reported by the principal exchange or trading market on which our common stock trades equals or exceeds $10.00 (subject to adjustment) for twenty consecutive trading days ending on the tenth day prior to the date we give notice of redemption. If we give notice of redemption, holders of our public warrants will be forced to sell or exercise the public warrants they hold or accept the redemption price. The notice of redemption could come at a time when, under specific circumstances or generally, it is not advisable or possible to sell or exercise our public warrants.

 

 

 

 

 

 

41


 

Our officers, directors and 5% stockholders will exercise significant control over us.

Our current officers, directors and 5% stockholders, in the aggregate, control approximately 29.11% of our outstanding common stock (including common stock issuable to such person or group within 60 days after February 28, 2006). As a result, these stockholders acting together will be able to exert significant control over matters requiring stockholder approval, including the election of directors, approval of mergers, and other significant corporate transactions. This concentration of ownership could delay, prevent, or deter a change in control, and could deprive our stockholders of an opportunity to receive a premium for their stock as part of a sale of us and could affect the market price of our stock.

We do not intend to pay cash dividends.

We have never paid cash dividends on our stock and do not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future.

We may spend our funds in ways with which our stockholders may not agree.

The use of proceeds description from our recent public offering reflected our then-current planning and was only an estimate that is subject to change in our discretion. Furthermore, a substantial portion of the net proceeds from our recent public offering was not allocated for specific uses. Consequently, our management can spend our funds in ways with which our stockholders may not agree. We cannot predict that our funds will be invested or otherwise utilized to yield a favorable return.

Item 3. Controls and Procedures.

As of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report, the Company's Chief Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer have conducted an evaluation of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures. Based on their evaluation, the Company's Chief Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer have concluded that the Company's disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports that it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is (i) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the applicable Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms and (ii) accumulated and communicated to the Company's management, including the Company's Chief Executive Officer and the Company's Principal Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

There was no change in the Company's internal control over financial reporting during the Company's most recently completed fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal control over financial reporting.

 

 

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PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

Several lawsuits have been filed in the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut, by purchasers of our common stock naming us, our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and President, and certain underwriters, who sold shares of our common stock to the public, as defendants, seeking unspecified damages on behalf of a class of purchasers of our securities. On October 19, 2005, the District Court entered an order appointing lead plaintiffs and lead plaintiffs' counsel. On December 23, 2005, plaintiffs, through their counsel, filed a consolidated amended complaint, which asserts various violations of federal securities laws including claims under Sections 11, 12 and 15 of the Securities Act of 1933 and Sections 10(b) and 20 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These claims are based on allegations that, among other things, we made misleading statements and failed to fully disclose material information from reports prepared by Volpe, MIT Lincoln Laboratory and the FAA, concerning the timetable and our prospects for achieving operational viability of the SOCRATES® wake vortex sensor, and the characterization of certain litigation involving Samuel A. Kovnat, our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, that was resolved in 1992. A copy of the full complaint may be obtained by contacting the Clerk of the District Court at (860) 240-3200 or 450 Main Street, Hartford, Connecticut 06103. On February 28, 2006 we filed our motion to dismiss plaintiffs' consolidated amended complaint.

We firmly believe that the claims contained in the complaints are without merit and intend to conduct a vigorous defense in these matters. These lawsuits could be time-consuming and costly and could divert the attention of our management. These lawsuits or any future lawsuits filed against us could harm our business.

As previously reported, in December 2003, we learned that the SEC staff is conducting an informal investigation that appears to be looking into certain analyst reports about us, and our press releases. The SEC staff has not asserted that we have acted improperly or illegally and we believe we have acted properly and legally with respect to these analyst reports and our press releases. We can predict neither the length, scope, or results of the informal investigation nor its impact, if any, on us or our operations.

Item 5. Other Information

During the New Year's holiday weekend, a break-in occurred at the Denver International Airport (DIA) SOCRATES® test site. This resulted in vandalism and theft of equipment associated with the SOCRATES® system and as well as government owned and operated equipment.

Our equipment is covered by insurance and the appropriate law enforcement authorities have been notified. The extent of loss and the impact on development and test schedules is under review. None of the data taken before the event was lost and data analysis is still under way.

 

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The DIA tests are intended to demonstrate laser acoustic detection performance of wake vortices utilizing an array of sixteen beams and leading to an emulation of a wake vortex avoidance system (WakeVAS). The Company is performing these tests under a contract from the U.S. DOT / Volpe Center with Lockheed Martin Corporation as its principle subcontractor.

In our continuing discussion with Lockheed Martin Corporation concerning our respective intellectual property claims, Lockheed Martin has asserted that essentially all of its work product, which results from research and development on SOCRATES® technology pursuant to work orders from us, is its property. We have informed Lockheed Martin that we believe that we own or have rights to use such work product, subject to any rights of the government. While we are continuing discussions on these and other issues, Lockheed has informed us that it is temporarily suspending its contract effort on task order No. 2 of our Phase IV contract for SOCRATES® technology and related matters until these issues are resolved. We are continuing to work on task order No. 2 and believe as to task order No. 2 that such efforts may be minimally impacted because the focus of this work is primarily on the development of WVAS display emulation software which currently is being performed by us and others. We can make no assurance as to whether or when these issues will be resolved with Lockheed Martin in a satisfactory manner or when or if it will lift its work suspension. It is too early for us to assess how this situation will impact us. However, a prolonged suspension could have a material adverse effect upon our ability to obtain further government funding for and carryout research, development of our SOCRATES® technology, as well as on our operations, finances and prospects for successful completion and commercialization of SOCRATES® technology. We cannot predict or provide any assurance on the outcome of these discussions and whether any outcome will be satisfactory to us.

Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K.

(a)     Exhibits

The following is a list of exhibits filed as part of the quarterly report on Form 10-QSB. Where so indicated by footnote, exhibits which were previously filed are incorporated by reference. For exhibits incorporated by reference, the location of the exhibit in the previous filing is indicated.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Exhibit
No.


Description

3.1
3.2
10.1

10.2

10.3

10.4

10.5
10.6

10.7

10.8

10.9

10.10

31.1

31.2

32.1

Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation (1)
By-Laws (2)
Employment Agreement effective as of November 4, 2005, between Flight Safety Technologies, Inc.
   and Samuel A. Kovnat (3)
Employment Agreement effective as of November 4, 2005, between Flight Safety Technologies, Inc.
   and William B. Cotton (4)
Employment Agreement effective as of November 4, 2005, between Flight Safety Technologies, Inc.
   and David D. Cryer (5)
Employment Agreement effective as of November 4, 2005, between Flight Safety Technologies, Inc.
   and Frank L. Rees (6)
Teaming Agreement dated May 1, 1997, by and between FSTO and Lockheed Martin Corporation (7)
Share Exchange Agreement between Reel Staff, Inc. and Flight Safety Technologies, Inc.,
   dated June 24, 2002, as amended July 15, 2002 (8)
Cost Reimbursement Research Project Agreement between Flight Safety Technologies, Inc.
   and Georgia Tech Applied Research Corporation (9)
Phase III Contract issued by U.S. Department of Transportation/RSPA/Volpe Center,
   dated September 30, 2003 (10)
Agreement between Flight Safety Technologies, Inc. and Advanced Acoustics Concepts, Inc.,
   dated January 14, 2000 (11)
Phase IV Contract Issued by U.S. Department of Transportation/RITA/Volpe Center,
   dated September 1, 2005 (12)
*Chief Executive Officer Certification as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act
   of 2002 (18 U.S.C. Section 1350).
*Chief Financial Officer Certification as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act
   of 2002 (18 U.S.C. Section 1350).
*Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer as Adopted Pursuant to Section
   906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (18 U.S.C. Section 1350).

*Submitted herewith

(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)
(7)
(8)
(9)
(10)
(11)
(12)

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 on our Form 10-QSB, which was filed on April 6, 2004.
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 on our Form SB-2, which was filed on January 29, 2003.
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 on our Form 10-QSB, which was filed on January 12, 2006.
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 on our Form 10-QSB, which was filed on January 12, 2006.
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 on our Form 10-QSB, which was filed on January 12, 2006.
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 on our Form 10-QSB, which was filed on January 12, 2006.
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 on our 8-KA, which was filed on November 6, 2002.
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 on our Form 8-K, which was filed on July 18, 2002.
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 on our Form SB-2/A, which was filed on November 26, 2003.
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 on our Form SB-2/A, which was filed on November 26, 2003.
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 on our Form SB-2/A, which was filed on November 26, 2003.
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 on our Form 10-QSB, which was filed on October 14, 2005.

 

 

 

 

 

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(b)     Reports on Form 8-K

On March 22, 2006, we filed a current report on Form 8-K. The report contained a disclosure announcing that at a special meeting on March 16, 2006, its Board of Directors had acted to create two new Board positions.

On February 13, 2006, we filed a current report on Form 8-K. The report contained a disclosure announcing the Breaking and Vandalism of the SOCRATES® Test Site at Denver International Airport. In addition, the 8-K announced the receipt of a Task 0002 from the Department of Transportation/Volpe Center with additional funding of $1,409,025 for SOCRATES® development.

On January 11, 2006, we filed a current report on Form 8-K. The report contained a disclosure announcing a break-in at the Denver International test site for its SOCRATES® wake vortex sensor technology.

On December 7, 2005, we filed a current report on Form 8-K. The report contained a disclosure announcing an article published in Aviation Week & Space Technology on December 5, 2005.

SIGNATURES

In accordance with requirements of the Exchange Act, the registrant caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

Flight Safety Technologies, Inc.
a Nevada corporation



April 14, 2006



By:



/s/ Samuel A. Kovnat

   

Samuel A. Kovnat
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

   



April 14, 2006



By:



/s/ David D. Cryer

   

David D. Cryer
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

 

 

 

 

 

46