3. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries. All inter-company balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Use of Estimates

The financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, which require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Estimates are used in accounting for, among other items, long term contracts, allowances for doubtful accounts, inventory obsolescence, product warranty cost liabilities, income taxes, engineering and material costs on EDC programs, percentage of completion on EDC contracts, recoverability of long-lived assets and contingencies. Estimates and assumptions are reviewed periodically and the effects of changes, if any, are reflected in the Consolidated Statements of Operations in the period they are determined.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Highly liquid investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less are classified as cash equivalents. Cash equivalents at September 30, 2018 and 2017 consist of cash on deposit and cash invested in money market funds with financial institutions.

Inventory valuation

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out) or net realizable value and consist of the following:


	September 30,		September 30,
	2018		2017
Raw materials	$	2,892,366	$	2,920,209
Work-in-process		817,051		794,756
Finished goods		570,691		464,689
	$	4,280,108	$	4,179,654

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation is provided using an accelerated method over the estimated useful lives of the assets (the lesser of three to seven years or over the lease term), except for the manufacturing facility and the corporate airplanes, which are depreciated using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives of thirty-nine years and ten years, respectively. Major additions and improvements are capitalized, while maintenance and repairs that do not improve or extend the life of assets are charged to expense as incurred. During fiscal 2018, the Company purchased an aircraft for approximately $2.4 million. This aircraft will serve as a test bed for the Company’s new products and also as a sales/marketing tool for demonstrating its products to its aviation customers.

Long-Lived Assets

The Company assesses the impairment of long-lived assets in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 360-10, “Property, Plant and Equipment.” This statement requires that long-lived assets be reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. In addition, long-lived assets to be disposed of should be reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less cost to sell. The Company considers historical performance and future estimated results in its evaluation of potential impairment and then compares the carrying amount of the asset to estimated future cash flows expected to result from use of the asset. If the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the estimated expected undiscounted future cash flows, the Company measures the amount of the impairment by comparing the carrying amount of the asset to its fair value. The estimation of fair value is generally measured by discounting expected future cash flows. No impairment charges were recorded in fiscal years 2018, 2017 or 2016.

Revenue Recognition

The Company enters into sales arrangements with customers that, in general, provide for the Company to design, develop, manufacture and deliver large flat-panel display systems, flight information computers and advanced monitoring systems that measure and display critical flight information, including data relative to aircraft separation, airspeed, altitude, and engine and fuel data measurements. The Company’s sales arrangements may include multiple deliverables as defined in FASB ASC Topic 605-25 “Multiple-Element Arrangements” (“ASC Topic 605-25”), which typically include design and engineering services and the production and delivery of the flat panel display and related components. The Company includes any design and engineering development services elements in EDC sales and any functional upgrade and product elements in product sales on the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.

To the extent that an arrangement contains software elements that are essential to the functionality of tangible products sold in the arrangement, the Company recognizes revenue for the deliverables in accordance with the guidance included in FASB Accounting Standards Update 2009-14, “Revenue Arrangements That Include Software Elements” (“ASU 2009-14”); and FASB Accounting Standards Update 2009-13, “Multiple-Deliverable Revenue Arrangements-a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force” (“ASU 2009-13”); and FASB ASC Topic 605, “Revenue Recognition” (“ASC Topic 605”).

To the extent that an arrangement contains software components, which include functional upgrades that the Company sells on a standalone basis and which the Company has deemed outside the scope of the exception defined by ASU 2009-14, the Company recognizes software revenue in accordance with ASC Topic 985, “Software” (“ASC Topic 985”).

Multiple Element Arrangements

The Company identifies all goods and/or services that are to be delivered separately under a sales arrangement and allocates sales to each deliverable (if more than one) based on that deliverable’s fair value. The Company then considers the appropriate recognition method for each deliverable. The Company’s multiple element arrangements can include defined design and development activities, and/or functional upgrades, and product sales. The Company had no multiple element arrangements for all periods presented.

The Company utilizes the selling price hierarchy that has been established by ASU 2009-13, which requires that the selling price for each deliverable be based on vendor-specific objective evidence if available, third-party evidence if vendor-specific objective evidence is not available, or estimated selling price if neither vendor-specific objective evidence nor third-party evidence is available. To the extent that an arrangement includes a deliverable for which estimated selling price is used, the Company determines the best estimate of selling price by applying the same pricing policies and methodologies that it would use to determine the price to sell the deliverable on a standalone basis.

To the extent that an arrangement contains defined design and EDC activities as identified deliverables in addition to products (resulting in a multiple element arrangement), the Company recognizes as EDC sales amounts earned during the design and development phase of the contract following the guidance included in FASB ASC Topic 605-35, “Construction-Type and Production-Type Contracts” (“ASC Topic 605-35”) under the percentage-of-completion method. To the extent that multiple element arrangements include product sales, sales are generally recognized once revenue recognition criteria for the product deliverables have been met based on the provisions of ASC Topic 605.

Single Element Arrangements

Products

To the extent that a single element arrangement provides for product sales and repairs, the Company recognizes sales when revenue recognition criteria for the product deliverable have been met based on the provisions of ASC Topic 605. In addition, the Company also receives orders for equipment and parts, and in general, recognizes revenue upon shipment to customers.

The Company may offer its customers extended warranties for additional fees, which it records as deferred revenue and recognizes as sales on a straight-line basis over the warranty periods.

Engineering Development Contracts

The Company may enter into contracts to perform specified design and EDC services related to its products. The Company recognizes revenue from these arrangements as EDC sales, following the guidance included in ASC Topic 605-35, and considers the nature of these contracts (including term, size of contract, and level of effort) when determining the appropriate accounting treatment for a particular contract. Certain of these contracts are accounted for under the percentage-of-completion method of accounting when the Company determines that progress toward completion is reasonably estimable, and the contract is long-term in nature. The Company uses the completed contract method for all other contracts. Sales and profit margins under the percentage-of-completion method are recorded based on the ratio of actual costs incurred to total estimated costs expected to be incurred related to the contract under the cost-to-cost method.

The percentage-of-completion method of accounting requires the Company to estimate the profit margin for each individual contract or contract segment, and to apply that profit margin on a uniform basis as sales are recorded under the contract. The estimation of profit margin requires the Company to make projections of the total sales to be generated and the total costs that will be incurred under a contract. These projections require the Company to make numerous assumptions and estimates relating to items such as the complexity of design and related development costs, performance of subcontractors, availability and cost of materials, engineering productivity, prototype costs, overhead costs, and capital costs. These contracts sometimes include purchase options for additional quantities and for customer change orders for additional or revised product functionality. Revenues and costs related to profitable purchase options are included in the Company’s estimates only when the options are exercised, while revenues and costs related to unprofitable purchase options are included in the Company’s estimates when exercise is determined to be probable. Revenues related to change orders are included in profit estimates only if they can be estimated reliably and collectability is reasonably assured. Purchase options and change orders are accounted for either as an integral part of the original contract or separately, depending upon the nature and value of the item, in the period in which any change order or purchase option becomes effective. Anticipated losses on contracts are recognized in full in the period in which losses become probable and estimable.

The Company reviews estimates of profit margins for contracts on a quarterly basis. Assuming the initial estimates of revenue and costs under a contract are accurate, the percentage-of-completion method results in the profit margin being recorded evenly as revenue is recognized under the contracts. Changes in these underlying estimates due to revisions in revenues and cost estimates or the exercise of contract options may result in profit margins being recognized unevenly over a contract as such changes are accounted for on a cumulative basis in the period in which the estimates are revised. Significant changes in estimates related to accounting for long-term contracts may have a material effect on the Company’s results of operations in the period in which the revised estimates are made. Cumulative catch-up adjustments (loss contracts), if any, resulting from changes in estimates are included in results of operations and disclosed in the notes to the consolidated financial statements of the Company.

Customer Service Revenue

The Company enters into sales arrangement with customers for the repair or upgrade of its various products that are not under warranty. The Company’s customer service revenue and cost of sales are included in product sales and product cost of sales, respectively, on the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. The Company’s customer service revenue and cost of sales for the fiscal years ended 2018, 2017 and 2016 are as follows:


	For the Fiscal Year Ended September 30,
	2018		2017		2016

Customer Service Sales	$	4,047,265	$	3,232,712	$	3,597,828
Customer Service Cost of Sales		1,724,167		1,520,146		1,271,022
Gross Profit	$	2,323,098	$	1,712,566	$	2,326,806

Income Taxes

Income taxes are recorded in accordance with ASC Topic 740, “Income Taxes” (“ASC Topic 740”), which utilizes a balance sheet approach to provide for income taxes. Under this method, the Company recognizes deferred tax assets and liabilities for temporary differences between the financial reporting basis and the tax basis of the Company’s assets, liabilities, and expected benefits of utilizing net operating losses (“NOL”) and tax credit carry-forwards. The impact on deferred taxes of changes in tax rates and laws, if any, are applied to the years during which temporary differences are expected to be settled, and are reflected in the consolidated financial statements in the period of enactment. At the end of each interim and year-end reporting period, the Company prepares an estimate of the annual effective income tax rate and applies that annual effective income tax rate to ordinary year-to-date pre-tax income for the interim period. Specific tax items discrete to a particular quarter are recorded in income tax expense for that quarter. The estimated annual effective tax rate used in providing for income taxes on a year-to-date basis may change in subsequent periods.

Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance if, based on the consideration of all available evidence, it is more likely than not that some portion of the deferred tax asset will not be realized. Significant weight is given to evidence that can be verified objectively, and significant management judgment is required in determining any valuation allowance recorded against net deferred tax assets. The Company evaluates deferred income taxes on a quarterly basis to determine if a valuation allowance is required by considering available evidence. Deferred tax assets are recognized when expected future taxable income is sufficient to allow the related tax benefits to reduce taxes that would otherwise be payable. The sources of taxable income that may be available to realize the benefit of deferred tax assets are future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences, future taxable income exclusive of reversing temporary differences and credit carryforwards, taxable income in carry-back years, and tax planning strategies which are both prudent and feasible. The Company’s current balance of the deferred tax valuation allowance is recorded against all of its federal and state deferred tax assets. The Company will continue to assess all available evidence during future periods to evaluate any changes to the realization of its deferred tax assets. If the Company were to determine that it would be able to realize additional federal or state deferred tax assets in the future, it would make an adjustment to the valuation allowance which would reduce the provision for income taxes.

The accounting for uncertainty in income taxes requires a more likely than not threshold for financial statement recognition and measurement of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. The Company records a liability for the difference between the (i) benefit recognized and measured for financial statement purposes and (ii) the tax position taken or expected to be taken on the Company’s tax return. To the extent that the Company’s assessment of such tax positions changes, the change in estimate is recorded in the period in which the determination is made. The Company has elected to record any interest or penalties associated with uncertain tax positions as income tax expense.

The Company files a consolidated United States federal income tax return. The Company prepares and files tax returns based on the interpretation of tax laws and regulations, and records estimates based on these judgments and interpretations. In the normal course of business, the tax returns are subject to examination by various taxing authorities. Such examinations may result in future tax and interest assessments by these taxing authorities, and the Company records a liability when it is probable that there will be an assessment. The Company adjusts the estimates periodically as a result of ongoing examinations by and settlements with the various taxing authorities, and changes in tax laws, regulations and precedent. The consolidated tax provision of any given year includes adjustments to prior years’ income tax accruals that are considered appropriate, and any related estimated interest. Management believes that it has made adequate accruals for income taxes. Differences between estimated and actual amounts determined upon ultimate resolution, individually or in the aggregate, are not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position, but could possibly be material to its consolidated results of operations or cash flow of any one period.

On December 22, 2017, the U.S. government enacted comprehensive tax legislation commonly referred to as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Act”). The Tax Act makes broad and complex changes to the U.S. tax code that will affect 2017, including, but not limited to, (1) reducing the U.S. federal corporate tax rate from 34 percent to 21 percent; (2) bonus depreciation that will allow for full expensing of qualified property; (3) elimination of the corporate alternative minimum tax (AMT) and changing how existing AMT credits can be realized; (4) a new limitation on deductible interest expense; (5) the repeal of the domestic production activity deduction; and (6) limitations on net operating losses (NOLs) generated after December 31, 2017, to 80 percent of taxable income.

The Tax Act reduced the corporate tax rate to 21 percent, effective January 1, 2018. Consequently, we have recorded a decrease related to DTAs and DTLs with a corresponding net adjustment to deferred income tax expense of $321,038 for the year ended December 31, 2017. This expense is offset fully by a change in the valuation allowance. The $321,038 is a provisional amount.

Engineering Development

Total engineering development expense is comprised of both internally funded R&D and product development and design charges related to specific customer contracts. Engineering development expense consists primarily of payroll-related expenses of employees engaged in EDC projects, engineering related product materials and equipment, and subcontracting costs. R&D charges incurred for product design, product enhancements, and future product development are expensed as incurred. Product development and design charges related to specific customer contracts are charged to cost of sales-EDC based on the method of contract accounting (either percentage-of-completion or completed contract) applicable to such contracts.

Comprehensive Income

Pursuant to FASB ASC Topic 220, “Comprehensive Income” (“ASC Topic 220”), the Company is required to classify items of other comprehensive income by their nature in a financial statement and display the accumulated balance of other comprehensive income separately from retained earnings and additional paid-in capital in the equity section of its condensed consolidated balance sheets. For fiscal 2018, 2017 and 2016 comprehensive income consisted of net income only, and there were no items of other comprehensive income for any of the periods presented.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The net carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and short-term debt approximate their fair value because of the short-term nature of these instruments. For financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis, fair value is the price the Company would receive to sell an asset or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction with a market participant at the measurement date. A three-level fair value hierarchy prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value as follows:

Level 1 — Unadjusted quoted prices that are available in active markets for the identical assets or liabilities at the measurement date.

Level 2 — Other observable inputs available at the measurement date, other than quoted prices included in Level 1, either directly or indirectly, including:

Quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets;

Quoted prices for identical or similar assets in non-active markets;

Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability; and

Inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by other observable market data.

Level 3 — Unobservable inputs that cannot be corroborated by observable market data and reflect the use of significant management judgment. These values are generally determined using pricing models for which the assumptions utilize management’s estimates of market participant assumptions.

The following table sets forth by level within the fair value hierarchy the Company’s financial assets and liabilities that were accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2018 and 2017, according to the valuation techniques the Company used to determine their fair values.


	Fair Value Measurement on September 30, 2018
	Quoted Price in		Significant Other		Significant
	Active Markets for		Observable		Unobservable
	Identical Assets		Inputs		Inputs
	(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents:
Money market funds	$	19,725,474	$	—	$	—


	Fair Value Measurement on September 30, 2017
	Quoted Price in		Significant Other		Significant
	Active Markets for		Observable		Unobservable
	Identical Assets		Inputs		Inputs
	(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents:
Money market funds	$	23,897,092	$	—	$	—

Share-Based Compensation

The Company accounts for share-based compensation under FASB ASC Topic 505-50, “Equity-Based Payments to Non-Employees” (“ASC Topic 505-50”), and ASC Topic 718, “Stock Compensation” (“ASC Topic 718”), which require the Company to measure the cost of employee or non-employee director services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments based on the grant-date fair value of the award using an option pricing model. The Company recognizes such cost over the period during which an employee or non-employee director is required to provide service in exchange for the award.

Warranty

The Company offers warranties on some products of various lengths, however the standard warranty is twenty-four months. At the time of shipment, the Company establishes a reserve for estimated costs of warranties based on its best estimate of the amounts necessary to settle future and existing claims using historical data on products sold as of the balance sheet date. The length of the warranty period, the product’s failure rates, and the customer’s usage affect warranty cost. If actual warranty costs differ from the Company’s estimated amounts, future results of operations could be affected adversely. Warranty cost is recorded as cost of sales, and the reserve balance recorded as an accrued expense. While the Company maintains product quality programs and processes, its warranty obligation is affected by product failure rates and the related corrective costs. If actual product failure rates and/or corrective costs differ from the estimates, the Company revises the estimated warranty liability accordingly.

Self-Insurance Reserves

Since January 1, 2014, the Company has self-insured a significant portion of its employee medical insurance. The Company maintains a stop-loss insurance policy that limits its losses both on a per employee basis and an aggregate basis. Liabilities associated with the risks that are retained by the Company are estimated based upon actuarial assumptions such as historical claims experience, demographic factors and other actuarial assumptions. The Company estimated the total medical claims incurred but not reported and the Company believes that it has adequate reserves for these claims at September 30, 2018 and 2017. However, the actual value of such claims could be significantly affected if future occurrences and claims differ from these assumptions. At September 30, 2018 and 2017, the estimated liability for medical claims incurred but not reported was $60,200 and $53,200, respectively. The Company has recorded the excess of funded premiums over estimated claims incurred but not reported of $102,000 as a current asset in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet. During the year ended September 30, 2018, the Company has used the excess of funded premiums to reduce amounts payable for claims incurred.

Treasury Stock

We account for treasury stock purchased under the cost method and include treasury stock as a component of stockholder’s equity. Treasury stock purchased with intent to retire (whether or not the retirement is actually accomplished) is charged to common stock.

New Accounting Pronouncements

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, Improvements to Employer Share-Based Payment Accounting, which simplifies the tax treatment of stock “shortfalls” and “windfalls.” Previous guidance required excess tax benefits (“windfalls”) to be recorded in equity. Tax deficiencies (“shortfalls”) were recorded in equity to the extent of previous windfalls then to the income statement. The new guidance simplifies this treatment by having all “windfalls” and “shortfalls” recorded through the income statement. This guidance became effective for us beginning on October 1, 2017. Adoption of this standard did not have a material effect upon the consolidated financial statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). Under this guidance, an entity is required to recognize right-of-use assets and lease liabilities on its balance sheet and disclose key information about leasing arrangements. This guidance offers specific accounting guidance for a lessee, a lessor and sale and leaseback transactions. Lessees and lessors are required to disclose qualitative and quantitative information about leasing arrangements to enable a user of the financial statements to assess the amount, timing and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases. This guidance is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within that reporting period, and requires a modified retrospective adoption, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impacts of adoption of this guidance.

In November 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-17, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes, which simplifies balance sheet presentation of deferred income taxes. Previous guidance required an entity to separate deferred income tax liabilities and assets into current and noncurrent amounts in a classified statement of financial position; however, the new guidance requires that deferred tax liabilities and assets be classified as noncurrent in a classified statement of financial position. The updated standard is effective for the Company beginning October 1, 2017, with early adoption permitted as of the beginning of any interim or annual reporting period. The Company early adopted this standard retrospectively and reclassified its current deferred tax balances to noncurrent deferred tax for all periods presented. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In July 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2015-11, Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory. ASU 2015-11 simplifies the subsequent measurement of inventory by requiring inventory to be measured at the lower of cost and net realizable value. ASU 2015-11 applies only to inventories for which cost is determined by methods other than last-in first-out and the retail inventory method. ASU 2015-11 is effective for public companies for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those fiscal years. We adopted ASU 2015-11 effective October 1, 2017 and the implementation had no material impact on the consolidated financial statements.

In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-15, Presentation of Financial Statements - Going Concern (Subtopic 205-40) (ASU 2014-15). The objective of ASU 2014-15 is to define management’s responsibility to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about an organization’s ability to continue as a going concern and provide related disclosures. Previously, GAAP did not provide guidance to evaluate whether there was substantial doubt regarding an organization’s ability to continue as a going concern. This ASU provides guidance to an organization’s management, with principles and definitions to reduce diversity in the timing and content of financial statement disclosures commonly provided by organizations. This standard was adopted by the Company at September 30, 2017, and the adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers,” which provides a single, comprehensive revenue recognition model for all contracts with customers, and contains principles to determine the measurement of revenue and timing of when it is recognized. The model will supersede most existing revenue recognition guidance, and also requires enhanced revenue-related disclosures. Under the new standard and its related amendments (collectively known as ASC 606), revenue is recognized when a customer obtains control of promised goods or services. The amount of revenue recognized will reflect the consideration that the entity expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. In addition, the standard requires disclosure of the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers.

The guidance permits two methods of adoption: retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented (full retrospective method), or retrospectively with the cumulative effect of initially applying the guidance recognized at the date of initial application (modified retrospective method). We anticipate using the modified retrospective method of adoption when the Company adopts this standard in fiscal year 2019. While we are still the process of assessing the impact of this standard on the Company’s financial statements, we do not currently expect that the adoption of ASC 606 will have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. The actual impact of ASC 606 is subject to change from these estimates and such change may be significant, pending the completion of the Company’s assessment in the first quarter of 2019. In order to complete this assessment, the Company is continuing to update and enhance its internal accounting systems and internal controls over financial reporting.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework – Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement which modifies the disclosures on fair value measurements by removing the requirement to disclose the amount and reason for transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy and the policy for timing of such transfers. The ASU expands the disclosure requirements for Level 3 fair value measurements, primarily focused on changes in unrealized gains and losses included in other comprehensive income. For public entities, the standard is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted for any removed or modified disclosures and adoption of the additional disclosures can be delayed until the effective date. The Company does not currently expect the adoption of ASU 2018-13 to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

As new accounting pronouncements are issued, we will adopt those that are applicable.