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FORM 10-Q
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
(X) QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934.
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2002
( ) TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934.
For the transition period from to
Commission file number 0-7390
Aero Systems Engineering, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Minnesota 41-0913117
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(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S Employer
incorporation or organization) Identification No.)
358 East Fillmore Avenue, St. Paul, Minnesota 55107
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(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code 651-227-7515
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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period
that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has
been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes X No
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As of September 30, 2002, 4,401,625 shares of common stock, par value
$.20 per share, were outstanding.
Page 2
AERO SYSTEMS ENGINEERING, INC.
Form 10-Q
Quarter Ended September 30, 2002
Page
PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1 Financial Statements 3
Item 2 Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations 8
Item 4 Controls and Procedures 11
PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
Item 6 Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K 12
Signatures 12
Certifications 13
Page 3
PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
AERO SYSTEMS ENGINEERING, INC.
CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
September 30, December 31,
ASSETS 2002 2001
------ ------------------- ------------------
(Unaudited) (Note)
(000's omitted, except share data)
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and Cash Equivalents $ 1,975 $ 97
Accounts Receivable, net 4,335 4,730
Costs and Estimated Earnings in
Excess of Billings on Uncompleted
Contracts 6,523 4,877
Inventories:
Materials and Supplies 831 966
Projects in Process 425 255
Prepaid Expenses 272 318
------------------- ------------------
Total Current Assets 14,361 11,243
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
Land 486 486
Buildings 3,025 3,025
Furniture, Fixtures, & Equipment 8,867 8,648
Wind Tunnels & Instrumentation 3,190 3,130
Building Improvements 1,550 1,489
------------------- ------------------
17,118 16,778
Less Accumulated Depreciation 13,124 12,165
------------------- ------------------
Property, Plant, and Equipment, net 3,994 4,613
Total Assets $ 18,355 $ 15,856
=================== ==================
Page 4
AERO SYSTEMS ENGINEERING, INC.
CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
(continued)
September 30, December 31,
LIABILITIES 2002 2001
----------- ------------------ -------------------
(Unaudited) (Note)
(000's omitted, except share data)
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Current Maturities of
Capital Lease Obligations $ 124 $ 146
Notes Payable 1,700
-
Notes Payable with related parties 500 300
Accounts Payable:
Trade 1,996 2,147
Related parties 54 48
Billings in Excess of Costs and Estimated
Earnings on Uncompleted Contracts 1,862 1,691
Accrued Warranty and Losses 525 460
Accrued Salaries and Wages 1,125 866
Income Tax Payable 100 48
Other Accrued Liabilities 4,486 1,969
------------------ -------------------
Total Current Liabilities 10,772 9,375
OTHER LIABILITIES
Long-term debt with related parties 1,500 1,500
Capital Lease Obligations,
Less Current Maturities 86 110
Commitments and Contingencies
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Common Stock - Authorized 10,000,000 Shares
of $.20 Par Value; Issued 4,401,625 on
September 30, 2002 and December 31, 2001. 880 880
Additional Paid-in Capital 900 900
Retained Earnings 4,217 3,091
------------------ -------------------
Total Stockholders' Equity 5,997 4,871
------------------ -------------------
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity $ 18,355 $ 15,856
================== ===================
Note: The balance sheet at December 31, 2001 has been derived from the audited
financial statements at that date but does not include all of the information
and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete
financial statements.
Page 5
AERO SYSTEMS ENGINEERING, INC.
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
(Unaudited, 000's omitted)
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
September 30, September 30,
--------------------------------- ----------------------------------
2002 2001 2002 2001
--------------------------------- ----------------------------------
Earned Revenue $ 9,442 $ 5,709 $ 29,342 $ 17,541
Cost of Earned Revenue 7,411 4,025 23,047 12,868
--------------- ---------------- --------------- ----------------
Gross Profit 2,031 1,684 6,295 4,673
Operating Expenses 1,383 1,372 4,386 4,311
--------------- ---------------- --------------- ----------------
Operating Profit 648 312 1,909 362
Other Income (Expense)
Interest Expense (71) (180) (248) (596)
Interest Income 21 - 24 4
Other 20 (25) 21 (42)
--------------- ---------------- --------------- ----------------
(30) (205) (203) (634)
--------------- ---------------- --------------- ----------------
Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes 618 107 1,706 (272)
Income Tax Expense 210 100 580 100
--------------- ---------------- --------------- ----------------
Net Income (Loss) $ 408 $ 7 $ 1,126 $ (372)
=============== =============== =============== ===============
NET INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE $ 0.09 $ 0.00 $ 0.26 $ (0.08)
=============== =============== =============== ===============
Dividends per Share None None None None
Page 6
AERO SYSTEMS ENGINEERING, INC.
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited, 000's omitted)
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
--------------------------------------
2002 2001
--------------------------------------
CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net Income (Loss) $ 1,126 $ (372)
Adjustment to reconcile net income (loss)
to net cash provided (used) by operating activities:
Depreciation 959 866
Other Non-Cash Charges - 100
(Increase) Decrease in Assets:
Accounts Receivable 395 (1,123)
Cost and Estimated Earnings in Excess of
Billings on Uncompleted Contracts (1,646) 929
Inventories (35) (79)
Prepaid Expenses 46 (147)
Increase (Decrease) in Liabilities:
Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses 2,748 (250)
Billings in Excess of Costs and Estimated Earnings
on Uncompleted Contracts 171 272
-------------- ----------------
Net Cash Provided by
Operating Activities 3,764 196
CASH FLOW FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Capital Expenditures (340) (290)
-------------- ----------------
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities (340) (290)
CASH FLOW FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Net Borrowings under Line of Credit Agreement (1,700) (1,376)
Principal Payments under Capital Lease Obligations (46) (41)
Borrowings From Related Parties 200 1,500
-------------- ----------------
Net Cash Provided (Used) by Financing Activities (1,546) 83
-------------- ----------------
NET CHANGE IN CASH 1,878 (11)
CASH AT BEGINNING OF YEAR 97 48
-------------- ----------------
CASH AT END OF QUARTER $ 1,975 $ 37
============== ================
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
Non-Cash Investing and Financing Activities
Purchase of Equipment under Capital Leases - 146
Page 7
AERO SYSTEMS ENGINEERING, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited, 000's omitted)
September 30, 2001
NOTE A - BASIS OF PRESENTATION
The accompanying unaudited condensed financial statements have been prepared in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial
information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation
S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes
required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial
statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting solely of
normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have
been included. Operating results for the nine-month period ending September 30,
2002 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the
year ended December 31, 2002. For further information, refer to the financial
statements and footnotes thereto included in the Company's annual report on Form
10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001.
NOTE B - INCOME TAXES
Income taxes are provided on an interim basis based upon management's estimate
of the annual effective tax rate. The income tax rate in 2001 is not comparable
to the current year rate due to the termination of the intercompany tax sharing
agreement in September 2001 when Minnesota ASE acquired 51% of the Company's
outstanding stock from Celsius Inc.
NOTE C - CONTRACTS IN PROCESS
Information with respect to contracts in process follows:
September 30, September 30,
2002 2001
------------------ -------------------
Costs Incurred on Uncompleted Contracts $ 55,862 $ 52,616
Estimated Earnings Thereon 19,209 15,997
------------------ -------------------
Total Earned Revenue on Uncompleted Contracts 75,071 68,613
Less Billings Applicable Thereto 70,410 66,878
------------------ -------------------
$ 4,661 $ 1,735
================== ===================
Included in Accompanying Balance Sheet
Under Following Captions:
Costs and Estimated Earnings in Excess of
Billings on Uncompleted Contracts $ 6,523 $ 4,068
Billings in Excess of Costs and Estimated
Earnings on Uncompleted Contracts 1,862 2,333
------------------ -------------------
$ 4,661 $ 1,735
================== ===================
NOTE D - CONTINGENCIES AND COMMITMENT
Guarantees of approximately $4,793,853 were outstanding on September 30, 2002 to
various customers as bid bonds or in exchange for down payments or warranty
performance bonds.
Page 8
AERO SYSTEMS ENGINEERING, INC.
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition And Results
of Operations
In addition to historical information, this Quarterly Report contains
forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements are subject to
certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ
materially from those reflected in such forward-looking statements. Factors that
might cause a difference include, but are not limited to, general economic
conditions, the condition of the aerospace industry, signing of future
contracts, competitive factors and other risks detailed from time to time in the
Company's reports to the SEC, including the report on Form 10-K for the year end
December 31, 2001. Actual results may vary materially from those anticipated.
Results of Operations
Third quarter 2002 (All dollar amounts are in thousands.)
Worldwide revenue for the third quarter 2002 totaled $9,442, which was a 65%
increase from $5,709 in revenue for the third quarter of last year. Income
before taxes for the third quarter was $618 as compared to third quarter income
before taxes of $107 last year.
Backlog of orders as of September 30, 2002 was $27,424 as compared with $29,483
and $29,722 as of December 31, 2001 and September 30, 2001, respectively. The
change from December 31, 2001 represents a 7% decrease. The year to date orders
through September are $27.3 million.
The strong revenue increase experienced by the Company for the third quarter
when compared to the third quarter last year was mostly attributable to the
increase in orders in process, resumption of normal activities on the Singapore
wind tunnel project since receipt of the export license in early September 2001
and success in new initiatives, such as a new contract in the industrial engine
market. The improvement in net income in the third quarter was mostly due to
increased revenues. Also, interest expense was reduced as a result of lower
interest rates and lower debt levels.
Cost of earned revenue for third quarter of 2002, which includes manufacturing
and engineering costs, was 78% as compared to 71% during the same period of last
year. This increase is mostly the result of work shifting to slightly lower
margin projects in the wind tunnel portion of the business during the third
quarter 2002. The total Company gross margin percentage for the third quarter
2002 was similar to what was experienced during the first half of the year.
The Company recognizes revenue and profit as work on long-term contracts
progresses using the percentage-of-completion method of accounting, which relies
on estimates of total expected contract revenues and costs. The Company follows
this method since reasonably dependable estimates of the revenue and costs
applicable to various stages of a contract can be made. Because the financial
reporting of these contracts depends on estimates, which are assessed
continually during the term of the contract, recognized revenues and profit are
subject to revisions as the contract progresses to completion. Revisions in
profit estimates are reflected in the period in which the facts that give rise
to the revision become known. Accordingly, favorable changes in estimates result
in additional profit recognition, and unfavorable changes in estimates result in
the reversal of previously recognized revenue and profits. When estimates
indicate a loss under a contract, cost of revenue is charged with a provision
for such loss. As work progresses under a loss contract, revenue continues to be
recognized, and a portion of the contract costs incurred in each period is
charged to the contract loss reserve.
Page 9
AERO SYSTEMS ENGINEERING, INC.
Selling, general and administrative expenses of $1,303 were 14% of revenues
during the third quarter of 2002 as compared to $1,302 and 23% during the same
period of last year. The reduction in the percentage of revenues is a result of
the higher revenue amount in the third quarter of 2002.
Research and development expenses were $80 during the third quarter of 2002 as
compared to $70 in the same period in 2001. This increase of $10 or 14% is
mostly related to an increased focus on certain on-going R&D projects. During
the remainder of 2002, R & D expenditures will be incurred for continued
enhancements to the ASE2000, aero-acoustic analysis and new product initiatives.
Interest expense of $71 was incurred during the third quarter of 2002 as
compared to $180 for the same period in the prior year. The average rate of
interest on short-term borrowings was lower partially as a result of the
interest rate reductions experienced during the latter portion of 2001 and
partially due to the new bank agreements entered into during the third quarter
last year. Also, the average amount of borrowings outstanding has decreased in
the third quarter 2002 as compared to the third quarter of last year mostly due
to the Company's ability to resume normal invoicing activities on the Singapore
wind tunnel project after the receipt of the export license.
Income tax expense was $210 for the third quarter 2002 as compared to $100 for
the third quarter of 2001. Income taxes are provided on an interim basis based
upon management's estimate of the annual effective tax rate. The income tax rate
in 2001 is not comparable to the current year rate due to the termination of the
intercompany tax sharing agreement in September 2001. Through September 25,
2001, Aero Systems was included in the consolidated federal income tax return of
Celsius Inc. The Company's income tax provision was calculated and presented on
a separate return basis. As a result of the acquisition of 51% of Aero Systems'
stock by Minnesota ASE, LLC, Celsius Inc. owns less than 80% of Aero Systems
and, accordingly, is no longer able to include Aero Systems in its consolidated
federal income tax return.
Financial Condition
Accounts receivable at the end of the third quarter 2002 were $4,335 as compared
with the year-end 2001 balance of $4,730. This decrease of $395 was due mainly
to invoice timing on several large contracts.
Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts at
the end of third quarter 2002 was $6,523, which is an increase of $1,646 or 34%
as compared with the year-end 2001 balance. The Company recognizes profit on
long-term projects on the percentage of completion basis, which permits earned
revenue to be recognized prior to the time that progress payments are billed.
When this occurs, amounts are added to this asset account for the recognition of
earned revenue prior to the billing of progress payments. The increase since
year-end is due to the timing of billing milestones related to the contracts.
Billings are a function of contract terms and do not necessarily relate to the
percentage of completion of a project.
Notes payable balances totaled $500 as compared to the year-end 2001 balance of
$2,000, which is a decrease of $1500 or 75%. This decrease is primarily the
result of the timing of project expenditures as compared to invoicing
milestones. For the nine months of 2002, cash flows from operations were $3,764
which enabled the Company to repay all borrowings under its line of credit,
which was $1,700 at year-end 2001 and increase its cash position to $1,975 as of
September 30, 2002.
Accounts payable and accrued expenses totaling $8,286 at the end of third
quarter 2002 increased $2,748 or 50% as compared to the year-end 2001 balance.
This was primarily due to an increase in accrued job costs relating to ongoing
projects.
Page 10
AERO SYSTEMS ENGINEERING, INC.
Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts at
the end of the third quarter 2002 increased $171 to $1,862 compared to the
year-end 2001 balance of $1,691. The increase since year-end is due to the
timing of billing milestones related to contracts. Billings are a function of
contract terms and do not necessarily relate to the percentage of completion of
a project.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
The Company has consistently relied upon bank credit lines during recent years
as a source of its working capital resources and liquidity. During the third
quarter 2001, Celsius Inc. sold 51% of the total outstanding shares of common
stock of ASE to Minnesota ASE, LLC. Related to this transaction, the Company has
secured new bank financing agreements for operating funds and future letter of
credit needs. These new agreements are asset based collateral agreements, with
the funds available under these agreements determined by the available securable
assets at any point in time, up to a maximum of $6,000 of operating funds, and
$3,000 of letter of credit funds. Also related to the transaction, Celsius Inc.
has agreed to continue to hold certain existing bank guarantees until maturity
that were previously provided to a few of the Company's customers, and Celsius
Inc. has provided a three year $1,500 loan to the Company at 8% per year, which
is subordinated debt under the new bank agreement. The Company has provided an
indemnification agreement to Celsius Inc. to secure Celsius Inc.'s interest in
the above items. The average funds available and amounts outstanding on the
operating line and letter of credit during the third quarter 2002 were $0
outstanding on $2,240 available and $2,612 outstanding on $3,000 available,
respectively.
At the end of the third quarter 2002, the Company had notes payable balances of
$500 current and $1,500 long term. This is an increase of $200 from the balance
at the end of the 2001, which is a result of Minnesota ASE transferring
additional funds to the Company during the third quarter 2002. The current notes
payable balance of $500 consisted of $500 of interim loans provided by Minnesota
ASE, LLC. The $500 note to Minnesota ASE, LLC is at 8% per year and is a demand
note. The Company believes that these bank lines of credit, along with cash
flows from continuing operations, are adequate to support the Company's cash
needs for the immediate future.
Capital expenditures for year to date third quarter 2002 were $340 as compared
to $436 for the same period of last year, which included capital leases totaling
$146. Additional capital expenditures will be used to acquire additional
equipment for research and development projects, facility improvements and
desktop upgrades. We expect the total capital expenditures for the year ending
December 31, 2002 to approximate the year ended December 31, 2001.
Market Risk
The Company operates on a global basis and, during an average year, generates
approximately 50% of its revenues from international customers. This trend has
continued for the last five years as foreign airlines and government agencies
purchase products that ASE designs and produces. Most of the Company's contracts
are denominated in U.S. dollars. However, certain contracts are denominated in
the customer's local currency. Therefore, the Company has entered into foreign
exchange forward contracts having maturities within the next eighteen months.
The face amounts represent U.S. dollar equivalents of a non-U.S. dollar
denominated forward contract. The amounts at risk are not material, and the
Company has the financial ability to generate cash flows to offset the expected
gains or losses when the contracts mature. The Company is also subject to
interest rate risk. The Company has not hedged its exposure to interest rate
fluctuations; however, a 10% increase or decrease in interest rates would not
have a material effect on the Company's results of operations, fair values, or
cash flows.
Page 11
AERO SYSTEMS ENGINEERING, INC.
Forward-Looking Information
Highly competitive market conditions have continued to put pressure on the
margins on new contracts. Productivity improvements and cost reduction programs
are continually being initiated to increase margins.
Looking ahead throughout the remainder of 2002, the amount of business in
backlog and the number of proposals outstanding should continue to provide a
solid base for the remainder of the year.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
The term "disclosure controls and procedures" is defined in Rules 13a-14(c) and
15d-14(c) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Exchange Act). These rules
refer to the controls and other procedures of a company that are designed to
ensure that information required to be disclosed by a company in the reports
that it files under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and
reported within required time periods. Our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief
Financial Officer have evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls
and procedures as of a date within 90 days before filing this quarterly report
(the Evaluation Date), and they have concluded that, as of the Evaluation Date,
such controls and procedures were effective at ensuring that required
information will be disclosed on a timely basis in our reports filed under the
Exchange Act.
Changes in Internal Controls
We maintain a system of internal accounting controls that are designed to
provide reasonable assurances that our books and records accurately reflect our
transactions and that our established policies and procedures are followed. For
the quarter ended September 30, 2002, there were no significant changes to our
internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect our
internal controls.
Page 12
AERO SYSTEMS ENGINEERING, INC.
PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
Item 6: Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K
(a) Exhibits 99.1 (Certification of Chief Financial Officer) and 99.2
(Certification of Chief Executive Officer).
(b) No Current Reports on Form 8-K were filed during the quarter ended
September 30, 2002. On October 17, 2002, the registrant filed a Form 8-K
report to announce an agreement with Goldsmith Agio Helms to assist the
Company in exploring strategic alternatives.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereto duly authorized.
Date: October 31, 2002
Aero Systems Engineering, Inc.
By: /s/ Charles Loux
-------------------------------------------------------
Charles Loux, President and CEO
By: /s/ Steven R. Hedberg
-------------------------------------------------------
Steven R. Hedberg, CFO, Secretary and Treasurer
Page 13
CERTIFICATIONS
I, Charles H. Loux, certify that:
1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Aero Systems
Engineering, Inc;
2. Based on my knowledge, this quarterly report does not contain any untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make
the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements
were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this quarterly
report;
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial
information included in this quarterly report, fairly present in all material
respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the
registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this quarterly report;
4. The registrant's other certifying officers and I are responsible for
establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in
Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14) for the registrant and have:
a) designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that
material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated
subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities,
particularly during the period in which this quarterly report is being
prepared;
b) evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls
and procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this
quarterly report (the "Evaluation Date"); and
c) presented in this quarterly report our conclusions about the
effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based on our
evaluation as of the Evaluation Date;
5. The registrant's other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based
on our most recent evaluation, to the registrant's auditors and the audit
committee of registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the
equivalent functions):
a) all significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal
controls which could adversely affect the registrant's ability to record,
process, summarize and report financial data and have identified for the
registrant's auditors any material weaknesses in internal controls; and
b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other
employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal
controls; and
6. The registrant's other certifying officers and I have indicated in this
quarterly report whether or not there were significant changes in internal
controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls
subsequent to the date of our most recent evaluation, including any corrective
actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.
Date: October 31, 2002
Aero Systems Engineering, Inc.
By: /s/ Charles Loux
---------------------------------------------------
Charles Loux, President and CEO
Page 14
CERTIFICATIONS
I, Steven R. Hedberg, certify that:
1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Aero Systems
Engineering, Inc;
2. Based on my knowledge, this quarterly report does not contain any untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make
the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements
were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this quarterly
report;
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial
information included in this quarterly report, fairly present in all material
respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the
registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this quarterly report;
4. The registrant's other certifying officers and I are responsible for
establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in
Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14) for the registrant and have:
a) designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that
material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated
subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities,
particularly during the period in which this quarterly report is being
prepared;
b) evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls
and procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this
quarterly report (the "Evaluation Date"); and
c) presented in this quarterly report our conclusions about the
effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based on our
evaluation as of the Evaluation Date;
5. The registrant's other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based
on our most recent evaluation, to the registrant's auditors and the audit
committee of registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the
equivalent functions):
a) all significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal
controls which could adversely affect the registrant's ability to record,
process, summarize and report financial data and have identified for the
registrant's auditors any material weaknesses in internal controls; and
b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other
employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal
controls; and
6. The registrant's other certifying officers and I have indicated in this
quarterly report whether or not there were significant changes in internal
controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls
subsequent to the date of our most recent evaluation, including any corrective
actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.
Date: October 31, 2002
Aero Systems Engineering, Inc.
By: /s/ Steven R. Hedberg
------------------------------------------------
Steven R. Hedberg, CFO, Secretary and Treasurer