HOUSTON, Nov. 09, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Era Group Inc. (NYSE:ERA) (the “Company”) today reported a net loss attributable to the Company of $81.4 million, or $3.91 per diluted share, for its third quarter ended September 30, 2017 (“current quarter”) on operating revenues of $61.4 million compared to net loss attributable to the Company of $2.8 million, or $0.13 per diluted share, for the quarter ended June 30, 2017 (“preceding quarter”) on operating revenues of $57.9 million.  As further described in the “H225 Update” section of this press release, the Company recorded non-cash impairment charges of approximately $117 million in the current quarter primarily related to its H225 helicopters, capital parts and related inventory.  Excluding the impact of non-cash impairment charges, net loss attributable to the Company would have been $6.2 million, or $0.30 per diluted share.

Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) was negative $110.5 million in the current quarter compared to positive $11.9 million in the preceding quarter.  EBITDA adjusted to exclude gains on asset dispositions and special items was positive $6.7 million in the current quarter compared to $7.5 million in the preceding quarter.  Losses on asset dispositions were $0.1 million in the current quarter compared to gains of $5.1 million in the preceding quarter.  Special items in the current quarter consisted of the $117.0 million non-cash impairment charges primarily related to the Company’s H225 helicopters.  Special items in the preceding quarter consisted of $0.6 million of severance-related expenses due to changes in senior management.

“We experienced an increase in oil and gas customer activity in the third quarter, as evidenced by the 15% sequential quarter improvement in operating revenues in our oil and gas service line,” said Chris Bradshaw, President and Chief Executive Officer of Era Group Inc. “Profitability in the third quarter was adversely impacted by $0.6 million of expenses to prepare helicopters for new customer contracts, $1.0 million of expenses due to the correction of immaterial accounting errors related to prior periods, $1.9 million of non-routine professional services fees, and a high volume of engine overhaul expense ($2.8 million higher than the trailing four quarter average). Despite this elevated level of expenses, Era continued to generate positive operating cash flow for the 22^nd consecutive quarter.”

Sequential Quarter Results

Operating revenues in the current quarter were $3.5 million higher compared to the preceding quarter primarily due to higher utilization in our oil and gas operations.  These increases were partially offset by the absence of the benefit from lease return charges recognized in the preceding quarter.

Operating expenses were $2.7 million higher in the current quarter primarily due to increased repairs and maintenance costs related to the timing of repairs, as well as increased fuel and personnel expenses resulting from increased activity.

Administrative and general expenses were $1.0 million higher in the current quarter primarily due to an increase in professional services fees and the correction of immaterial accounting errors, partially offset by a decrease in compensation costs due to the recognition of severance expenses in the preceding quarter.

In the preceding quarter, we sold or otherwise disposed of a hangar in Alaska, two helicopters and related equipment resulting in gains of $5.1 million.  There were no significant asset dispositions in the current quarter.

Income tax benefit was $44.5 million higher primarily due to the impairment of our H225 helicopters in the current quarter.

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest in subsidiary was $0.2 million in the current quarter compared to a net loss of $0.3 million in the preceding quarter.  The increase was due to an increase in income in Colombia resulting from a new short-term contract and higher utilization. 

Calendar Quarter Results

Operating revenues in the current quarter were $3.6 million lower compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2016 (“prior year quarter”) primarily due to lower utilization of light helicopters in our U.S. oil and gas operations, fewer search and rescue (“SAR”) subscribers and the end of air medical contracts.  These decreases were partially offset by increased utilization of heavy and medium helicopters in our U.S. oil and gas operations.

Operating expenses were $3.6 million higher in the current quarter primarily due to increased repairs and maintenance expenses in the current quarter due to the timing of repairs and the recognition of credits in the prior year quarter following the removal of our H225 helicopters from power-by-the-hour maintenance programs.  This increase was partially offset by decreases in personnel, fuel and other operating expenses.

Administrative and general expenses were $1.4 million higher in the current quarter primarily due to increased professional services fees and the correction of immaterial accounting errors, partially offset by lower compensation costs.

Depreciation expense was $0.4 million lower in the current quarter primarily due to certain assets becoming fully depreciated and asset dispositions subsequent to the prior year quarter, partially offset by new heavy helicopters placed in service in the current year.

Income tax benefit was $45.2 million in the current quarter compared to an income tax expense of $0.1 million in the prior year quarter.  The income tax benefit was primarily due to the impairment of our H225 helicopters in the current quarter.

Net loss attributable to the Company was $81.4 million in the current quarter compared to $0.6 million in the prior year quarter.  EBITDA was $125.8 million lower in the current quarter compared to the prior year quarter.  EBITDA adjusted to exclude gains on asset dispositions and special items was $8.9 million lower in the current quarter.  Losses on asset dispositions were $0.1 million in the current quarter compared to $0.2 million in the prior year quarter.  Special items in the current quarter consisted of the $117.0 million non-cash impairment charges primarily related to the Company’s H225 helicopters.

Capital Commitments

We had unfunded capital commitments of $118.6 million as of September 30, 2017, of which $7.4 million is payable during the remainder of 2017 with the balance payable through 2019.  We may terminate $114.3 million of our total commitments (inclusive of deposits paid on options not yet exercised) without further liability other than aggregate liquidated damages of $2.6 million.  The noncancellable portion of our commitments payable during the remainder of 2017 is $2.8 million. 

Included in these capital commitments are agreements to purchase five AW189 heavy helicopters, one S92 heavy helicopter and five AW169 light twin helicopters.  The AW189 and S92 helicopters are scheduled to be delivered in 2018 and 2019.  Delivery dates for the AW169 helicopters have yet to be determined.  In addition, we had outstanding options to purchase up to ten additional AW189 helicopters. If these options are exercised, the helicopters would be scheduled for delivery beginning in 2019 through 2020.

Liquidity

As of September 30, 2017, we had $26.9 million in cash balances and $124.6 million of remaining availability under the senior secured revolving credit facility (the “Facility”) for total liquidity of $151.5 million.  As of September 30, 2017, our senior secured leverage ratio, as defined in the Facility, was 1.3x compared to the current covenant requirement of not more than 3.50x, and our interest coverage ratio was 2.6x compared to the current covenant requirement of not less than 1.75x.  The non-cash impairment charges primarily related to our H225 helicopters, discussed elsewhere in this press release, do not impact these covenant calculations under the Facility.

H225 Update

Due to an accident in April 2016 involving an Airbus Helicopters H225 model helicopter (also known as an EC225LP) operated by another helicopter company, the majority of the offshore oil and gas fleet of H225 and AS332 L2 model helicopters remains on operational suspension.  In February and April 2017, the Accident Investigation Board Norway (“AIBN”) published additional preliminary reports that updated and expanded findings from the investigation into the accident.  The AIBN’s investigation remains ongoing.  In July 2017, the civil aviation authorities in each of Norway and the United Kingdom published directives that set forth the requirements with respect to the return to service of these helicopter models.  Prior to a return to service, an operator must comply with an EASA directive issued on June 23, 2017 that requires the replacement of, and prescribes reduced service limits and inspections with respect to, identified parts and the installation of, and prescribes maintenance protocols with respect to, a new EASA-approved full flow magnetic plug device to support the inspection of the main gearbox oil system particle detection.  In addition, an operator must develop a return to service plan for the applicable helicopter model that must be approved by the relevant regulatory authority.  Such a plan would need to include a detailed safety case, outlining specific maintenance processes, tooling and training requirements.

Since the accident, we believe that H225 helicopters have only returned to service in offshore oil and gas missions in a few countries in Asia.  During the current quarter, we noted certain events that led us to come to the belief that there will not be a broad-based return to service of the H225 and AS332 L2 helicopter models in the offshore oil and gas industry.  Therefore, during the current quarter, we determined that our H225 helicopters are no longer interchangeable with the remainder of our fleet and should be evaluated for impairment.  We performed an impairment analysis on the H225 helicopters, capital parts and related inventory and determined that the carrying value exceeded the fair value.  We recorded a non-cash impairment charge of approximately $117 million to record the assets at their respective fair values.

On November 21, 2016, we filed a lawsuit in the District Court of Dallas County, Texas against Airbus Helicopters, Inc. and Airbus Helicopters S.A.S. alleging breaches of various contracts between us, fraudulent inducement and unjust enrichment in connection with the sale by Airbus of H225 model helicopters to us.  We seek compensation for our monetary damages in an amount to be determined. We cannot predict the ultimate outcome of the litigation, and we may spend significant resources pursuing our legal remedies against Airbus.

Conference Call

Management will conduct a conference call starting at 10:00 a.m. ET (9:00 a.m. CT) on Friday, November 10, 2017, to review the results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2017. The conference call can be accessed as follows:

All callers will need to reference the access code 1119678.

Within the U.S.:  Operator Assisted Toll-Free Dial-In Number: (877) 548-7914

Outside the U.S.:  Operator Assisted International Dial-In Number: (719) 325-4904

Replay

A telephone replay will be available through November 24, 2017 by utilizing the above numbers and access code.  An audio replay will also be available on the Company’s website at www.erahelicopters.com shortly after the call and will be accessible through November 24, 2017. The accompanying investor presentation will be available on November 9, 2017 on Era’s website at www.erahelicopters.com 

For additional information concerning Era Group, contact Jennifer Whalen at (713) 369-4636 or visit Era Group’s website at www.erahelicopters.com.

About Era Group

Era Group is one of the largest helicopter operators in the world and the longest serving helicopter transport operator in the U.S.  In addition to servicing its U.S. customers, Era Group provides helicopters and related services to customers and third-party helicopter operators in other countries, including Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, India and Suriname.  Era Group’s helicopters are primarily used to transport personnel to, from and between offshore oil and gas production platforms, drilling rigs and other installations. In addition, Era Group’s helicopters are used to perform emergency air medical, search and rescue, firefighting, utility, VIP transport and flightseeing services.  Era Group also provides a variety of operating lease solutions and technical fleet support to third party operators as well as offering unmanned aerial solutions.

Forward-Looking Statements Disclosure

Certain statements discussed in this release as well as in other reports, materials and oral statements that the Company releases from time to time to the public include "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Such forward-looking statements concerning management's expectations, strategic objectives, business prospects, anticipated performance and financial condition and other similar matters involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that could cause the actual results, performance or achievements of results to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements discussed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks, uncertainties and other important factors include, among others, the Company’s dependence on, and the cyclical and volatile nature of, offshore oil and gas exploration, development and production activity, and the impact of general economic conditions and fluctuations in worldwide prices of and demand for oil and natural gas on such activity levels; the Company’s reliance on a small number of customers and the reduction of its customer base resulting from bankruptcies or consolidation; risks that the Company’s customers reduce or cancel contracted services or tender processes; cost savings initiatives implemented by the Company’s customers; risks inherent in operating helicopters; the Company’s ability to maintain an acceptable safety record; the impact of increased United States (“U.S.”) and foreign government regulation and legislation, including potential government implemented moratoriums on drilling activities; the impact of a grounding of all or a portion of the Company’s fleet for extended periods of time or indefinitely on the Company’s business, including its operations and ability to service customers, results of operations or financial condition and/or the market value of the affected helicopter(s); the Company’s ability to successfully expand into other geographic and aviation service markets; risks associated with political instability, governmental action, war, acts of terrorism and changes in the economic condition in any foreign country where the Company does business, which may result in expropriation, nationalization, confiscation or deprivation of the Company’s assets or result in claims of a force majeure situation; the impact of declines in the global economy and financial markets; the impact of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates on the Company’s asset values and cost to purchase helicopters, spare parts and related services; risks related to investing in new lines of service without realizing the expected benefits; risks of engaging in competitive processes or expending significant resources for strategic opportunities, with no guaranty of recoupment; the Company’s reliance on a small number of helicopter manufacturers and suppliers; the Company’s ongoing need to replace aging helicopters; the Company’s reliance on the secondary helicopter market to dispose of older helicopters; the Company’s reliance on information technology; the impact of allocation of risk between the Company and its customers; the liability, legal fees and costs in connection with providing emergency response services; adverse weather conditions and seasonality; risks associated with the Company’s debt structure; the Company’s counterparty credit risk exposure; the impact of operational and financial difficulties of the Company’s joint ventures and partners and the risks associated with identifying and securing joint venture partners when needed; conflict with the other owners of the Company’s non-wholly owned subsidiaries and other equity investees; adverse results of legal proceedings, including the risks related to the Company’s ability to recover damages from the manufacturer of the H225 model helicopter; the incurrence of significant costs in connection with the Company’s pursuit of legal remedies, including those against the manufacturer of the H225 model helicopter; the Company’s ability to obtain insurance coverage and the adequacy and availability of such coverage; the Company’s ability to remediate the material weaknesses it has identified in its internal controls over financial reporting described in its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2017 and in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016; the possibility of labor problems; the attraction and retention of qualified personnel; restrictions on the amount of foreign ownership of the Company’s common stock; and various other matters and factors, many of which are beyond the Company’s control.  In addition, these statements constitute Era Group's cautionary statements under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. It is not possible to predict or identify all such factors. Consequently, the foregoing should not be considered a complete discussion of all potential risks or uncertainties. The words "estimate," "project," "intend," "believe," "plan" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of the document in which they are made. Era Group disclaims any obligation or undertaking to provide any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statement to reflect any change in Era Group's expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which the forward-looking statement is based. The forward-looking statements in this release should be evaluated together with the many uncertainties that affect the Company's businesses, particularly those mentioned under "Risk Factors" in Era Group's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, in Era Group's subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and in Era Group's periodic reporting on Form 8-K (if any), which are incorporated by reference. 

ERA GROUP INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(unaudited, in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
		Three Months Ended  September 30,								Nine Months Ended  September 30,
		2017				2016				2017				2016
Operating revenues		$	61,385			$	65,006			$	173,790			$	190,939
Costs and expenses:
Operating		43,987				40,371				123,079				132,074
Administrative and general		10,928				9,504				31,211				26,871
Depreciation and amortization		12,103				12,519				35,635				37,976
Total costs and expenses		67,018				62,394				189,925				196,921
Gains (losses) on asset dispositions, net		(122		)		(246		)		5,048				4,034
Loss on impairment		(117,018		)		—				(117,018		)		—
Operating income (loss)		(122,773		)		2,366				(128,105		)		(1,948		)
Other income (expense):
Interest income		206				466				641				1,170
Interest expense		(4,097		)		(4,003		)		(11,620		)		(12,881		)
Foreign currency gains (losses), net		12				(33		)		(96		)		577
Gain on debt extinguishment		—				—				—				518
Other, net		(33		)		34				(29		)		63
Total other income (expense)		(3,912		)		(3,536		)		(11,104		)		(10,553		)
Loss before income taxes and equity earnings		(126,685		)		(1,170		)		(139,209		)		(12,501		)
Income tax expense (benefit)		(45,237		)		69				(48,066		)		(2,177		)
Loss before equity earnings		(81,448		)		(1,239		)		(91,143		)		(10,324		)
Equity earnings, net of tax		233				437				1,069				1,062
Net loss		(81,215		)		(802		)		(90,074		)		(9,262		)
Net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interest in subsidiary		(233		)		242				219				6,822
Net loss attributable to Era Group Inc.		$	(81,448	)		$	(560	)		$	(89,855	)		$	(2,440	)
Loss per common share, basic and diluted:		$	(3.91	)		$	(0.03	)		$	(4.34	)		$	(0.12	)
Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic and diluted:		20,844,376				20,384,348				20,715,686				20,322,167
EBITDA		$	(110,458	)		$	15,323			$	(91,526	)		$	38,248
Adjusted EBITDA		$	6,560			$	15,323			$	26,107			$	37,730
Adjusted EBITDA excluding gains		$	6,682			$	15,569			$	21,059			$	33,696

ERA GROUP INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(unaudited, in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
		Three Months Ended
		Sep 30,  2017				Jun 30,  2017				Mar 31,  2017				Dec 31,  2016				Sep 30,  2016
Operating revenues		$	61,385			$	57,878			$	54,527			$	56,289			$	65,006
Costs and expenses:
Operating		43,987				41,335				37,757				37,789				40,371
Administrative and general		10,928				9,902				10,381				9,335				9,504
Depreciation and amortization		12,103				11,978				11,554				11,339				12,519
Total costs and expenses		67,018				63,215				59,692				58,463				62,394
Gains (losses) on asset dispositions, net		(122		)		5,061				109				753				(246		)
Loss on impairment		(117,018		)		—				—				—				—
Operating income (loss)		(122,773		)		(276		)		(5,056		)		(1,421		)		2,366
Other income (expense):
Interest income		206				185				250				(429		)		466
Interest expense		(4,097		)		(3,934		)		(3,589		)		(4,444		)		(4,003		)
Foreign currency gains (losses), net		12				(136		)		28				(570		)		(33		)
Gain on debt extinguishment		—				—				—				—				—
Other, net		(33		)		(8		)		12				6				34
Total other income (expense)		(3,912		)		(3,893		)		(3,299		)		(5,437		)		(3,536		)
Loss before income taxes and equity earnings		(126,685		)		(4,169		)		(8,355		)		(6,858		)		(1,170		)
Income tax expense (benefit)		(45,237		)		(726		)		(2,103		)		(1,180		)		69
Loss before equity earnings		(81,448		)		(3,443		)		(6,252		)		(5,678		)		(1,239		)
Equity earnings, net of tax		233				371				465				30				437
Net loss		(81,215		)		(3,072		)		(5,787		)		(5,648		)		(802		)
Net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interest in subsidiary		(233		)		285				167				110				242
Net loss attributable to Era Group Inc.		$	(81,448	)		$	(2,787	)		$	(5,620	)		$	(5,538	)		$	(560	)
Loss per common share, basic and diluted:		$	(3.91	)		$	(0.13	)		$	(0.27	)		$	(0.27	)		$	(0.03	)
Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic and diluted:		20,844,376				20,789,537				20,509,463				20,433,155				20,384,348
EBITDA		$	(110,458	)		$	11,929			$	7,003			$	9,384			$	15,323
Adjusted EBITDA		$	6,560			$	12,544			$	7,003			$	9,384			$	15,323
Adjusted EBITDA excluding gains		$	6,682			$	7,483			$	6,894			$	8,631			$	15,569

ERA GROUP INC.
OPERATING REVENUES BY LINE OF SERVICE
(unaudited, in thousands)
		Three Months Ended
		Sep 30,  2017				Jun 30,  2017				Mar 31,  2017				Dec 31,  2016				Sep 30,  2016
Oil and gas:(1)
U.S.		$	36,578			$	32,081			$	30,341			$	31,709			$	35,961
International		16,764				14,284				17,167				14,881				17,306
Total oil and gas		53,342				46,365				47,508				46,590				53,267
Dry-leasing		2,558				6,606				3,279				3,719				2,664
Emergency Response Services (2)		2,550				2,771				3,740				5,980				5,854
Flightseeing		2,935				2,136				—				—				3,221
		$	61,385			$	57,878			$	54,527			$	56,289			$	65,006

FLIGHT HOURS BY LINE OF SERVICE(3)
(unaudited)
		Three Months Ended
		Sep 30,  2017			Jun 30,  2017			Mar 31,  2017			Dec 31,  2016			Sep 30,  2016
Oil and gas:(1)
U.S.		6,732			5,693			5,219			6,294			7,628
International		2,754			2,205			2,636			2,477			3,005
Total oil and gas		9,486			7,898			7,855			8,771			10,633
Emergency Response Services (2)		90			131			481			885			1,084
Flightseeing		906			673			—			—			970
		10,482			8,702			8,336			9,656			12,687

____________________

    (1) Primarily oil and gas services, but also includes revenues and flight hours from utility services, such as firefighting, and VIP transport.
    (2) Includes revenues and flight hours from SAR and air medical services.
    (3) Does not include hours flown by helicopters in our dry-leasing line of service.

ERA GROUP INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands)
		Sep 30,  2017				Jun 30,  2017				Mar 31,  2017				Dec 31,  2016				Sep 30,  2016
ASSETS		(unaudited)				(unaudited)				(unaudited)								(unaudited)
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		$	26,896			$	28,878			$	26,339			$	26,950			$	32,144
Receivables:
Trade, net of allowance for doubtful accounts		38,608				32,824				34,840				32,470				34,300
Tax receivables		2,811				3,000				3,166				3,461				—
Other		2,486				3,172				2,396				2,716				6,490
Inventories, net		21,985				24,296				25,232				25,417				26,615
Prepaid expenses		2,439				2,518				2,535				1,579				1,799
Escrow deposits		—				—				3,779				3,777				190
Total current assets		95,225				94,688				98,287				96,370				101,538
Property and equipment		983,798				1,164,048				1,154,835				1,154,028				1,175,131
Accumulated depreciation		(299,294		)		(353,830		)		(343,659		)		(332,219		)		(347,113		)
Net property and equipment		684,504				810,218				811,176				821,809				828,018
Equity investments and advances		29,894				29,852				29,727				29,266				29,595
Intangible assets		1,126				1,129				1,133				1,137				1,141
Other assets		5,021				5,593				6,096				6,591				11,177
Total assets		$	815,770			$	941,480			$	946,419			$	955,173			$	971,469
LIABILITIES, REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTEREST AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued expenses		$	15,326			$	12,884			$	9,032			$	8,876			$	9,132
Accrued wages and benefits		8,350				8,708				6,881				8,507				9,077
Accrued interest		3,325				527				3,365				529				3,363
Accrued income taxes		38				291				689				666				550
Accrued other taxes		2,098				1,145				1,447				2,139				2,311
Accrued contingencies		1,288				1,334				1,189				1,447				1,543
Current portion of long-term debt		2,191				2,161				2,199				1,237				1,539
Other current liabilities		2,406				2,590				2,846				2,222				2,470
Total current liabilities		35,022				29,640				27,648				25,623				29,985
Long-term debt		215,025				221,354				225,946				230,139				232,655
Deferred income taxes		177,704				222,724				223,442				225,472				227,417
Deferred gains and other liabilities		1,069				944				924				1,301				4,280
Total liabilities		428,820				474,662				477,960				482,535				494,337
Redeemable noncontrolling interest		4,002				3,769				4,054				4,221				4,331
Equity:
Era Group Inc. stockholders’ equity:
Common stock		215				215				215				211				211
Additional paid-in capital		442,948				441,595				440,164				438,489				437,291
Retained earnings		(57,331		)		24,117				26,904				32,524				38,062
Treasury shares, at cost		(2,974		)		(2,968		)		(2,968		)		(2,899		)		(2,855		)
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax		90				90				90				92				92
Total equity		382,948				463,049				464,405				468,417				472,801
Total liabilities, redeemable noncontrolling interest and stockholders’ equity		$	815,770			$	941,480			$	946,419			$	955,173			$	971,469

Our management uses EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to assess the performance and operating results of our business. EBITDA is defined as Earnings before Interest (includes interest income and interest expense), Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as EBITDA further adjusted for certain items noted in the reconciliation below that occur during the reported period. We include EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to provide investors with a supplemental measure of our operating performance. Neither EBITDA nor Adjusted EBITDA is a recognized term under generally accepted accounting principles in the U.S. (“GAAP”). Accordingly, they should not be used as an indicator of, or an alternative to, net income as a measure of operating performance. In addition, EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are not intended to be measures of free cash flow available for management’s discretionary use, as they do not consider certain cash requirements, such as debt service requirements. Because the definitions of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA (or similar measures) may vary among companies and industries, they may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures used by other companies.  Each of these non-GAAP measures has limitations and therefore should not be used in isolation or as a substitute for the amounts reported in accordance with GAAP.

The following table provides a reconciliation of Net Income, the most directly comparable GAAP measure, to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA (in thousands).

		Three Months Ended																				Nine Months Ended
		Sep 30,  2017				Jun 30,  2017				Mar 31,  2017				Dec 31,  2016				Sep 30,  2016				Sep 30,  2017				Sep 30,  2016
Net loss		$	(81,215	)		$	(3,072	)		$	(5,787	)		$	(5,648	)		$	(802	)		$	(90,074	)		$	(9,262	)
Depreciation and amortization		12,103				11,978				11,554				11,339				12,519				35,635				37,976
Interest income		(206		)		(185		)		(250		)		429				(466		)		(641		)		(1,170		)
Interest expense		4,097				3,934				3,589				4,444				4,003				11,620				12,881
Income tax expense (benefit)		(45,237		)		(726		)		(2,103		)		(1,180		)		69				(48,066		)		(2,177		)
EBITDA		$	(110,458	)		$	11,929			$	7,003			$	9,384			$	15,323			$	(91,526	)		$	38,248
Special items (1)		117,018				615				—				—				—				117,633				(518		)
Adjusted EBITDA		$	6,560			$	12,544			$	7,003			$	9,384			$	15,323			$	26,107			$	37,730
Losses (gains) on asset dispositions, net		122				(5,061		)		(109		)		(753		)		246				(5,048		)		(4,034		)
Adjusted EBITDA excluding gains		$	6,682			$	7,483			$	6,894			$	8,631			$	15,569			$	21,059			$	33,696

____________________

    (1) Special items include the following:

• In the three months ended September 30, 2017, non-cash impairment charges of $117.0 million primarily related to the impairment of the Company’s H225 model helicopters;
• In the three months ended June 30, 2017, $0.6 million of severance-related expenses due to changes in senior management; and
• In the nine months ended September 30, 2016, a gain of $0.5 million on the extinguishment of debt related to the repurchase of a portion of our 7.750% Senior Notes.

The Facility requires that the Company maintain certain financial ratios on a rolling four-quarter basis.  The interest coverage ratio is a trailing four-quarter quotient of (i) EBITDA (as defined in the Facility) less dividends and distributions divided by (ii) interest expense.  The interest coverage ratio is not a measure of operating performance or liquidity defined by GAAP and may not be comparable to similarly titled measures presented by other companies.  The senior secured leverage ratio is calculated by dividing (i) the sum of secured debt for borrowed money, capital lease obligations and guaranties of obligations of non-consolidated entities by (ii) EBITDA (as defined in the Facility).  The senior secured leverage ratio is not a measure of operating performance or liquidity defined by GAAP and may not be comparable to similarly titled measures presented by other companies.  EBITDA is calculated under the Facility differently than as presented elsewhere in this release.

ERA GROUP INC.
FLEET COUNTS (1)
(unaudited)
		Sep 30,  2017			Jun 30,  2017			Mar 31,  2017			Dec 31,  2016			Sep 30,  2016
Heavy:
S92		3			3			2			2			2
H225		9			9			9			9			9
AW189		4			4			2			2			2
		16			16			13			13			13
Medium:
AW139		36			36			36			36			38
S76 C+/C++		5			5			5			6			6
B212		6			6			7			7			7
B412		—			—			—			—			1
		47			47			48			49			52
Light—twin engine:
A109		7			7			7			7			7
EC135		15			15			15			16			17
EC145		3			3			4			5			5
BK117		2			2			2			2			3
BO105		3			3			3			3			3
		30			30			31			33			35
Light—single engine:
A119		14			14			14			14			14
AS350		26			26			27			27			27
		40			40			41			41			41
Total Helicopters		133			133			133			136			141

____________________

    (1) Includes all owned, joint ventured, leased-in and managed helicopters and excludes helicopters fully paid for and delivered but not yet placed in service as of the applicable dates.