Boeing 2014 Annual Report Download - page 74

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Aircraft Valuation
Used aircraft under trade-in commitments and aircraft under repurchase commitments In
conjunction with signing a definitive agreement for the sale of new aircraft (Sale Aircraft), we have entered
into trade-in commitments with certain customers that give them the right to trade in used aircraft at a
specified price upon the purchase of Sale Aircraft. Additionally, we have entered into contingent repurchase
commitments with certain customers wherein we agree to repurchase the Sale Aircraft at a specified price,
generally 10 to 15 years after delivery of the Sale Aircraft. Our repurchase of the Sale Aircraft is contingent
upon a future, mutually acceptable agreement for the sale of additional new aircraft. If we execute an
agreement for the sale of additional new aircraft, and if the customer exercises its right to sell the Sale
Aircraft to us, a contingent repurchase commitment would become a trade-in commitment. Our historical
experience is that contingent repurchase commitments infrequently become trade-in commitments.
Exposure related to trade-in commitments may take the form of:
(1) adjustments to revenue for the difference between the contractual trade-in price in the definitive
agreement and our best estimate of the fair value of the trade-in aircraft as of the date of such
agreement, which would be recognized upon delivery of the Sale Aircraft, and/or
(2) charges to cost of products for adverse changes in the fair value of trade-in aircraft that occur
subsequent to signing of a definitive agreement for Sale Aircraft but prior to the purchase of the
used trade-in aircraft. Estimates based on current aircraft values would be included in Accrued
liabilities.
The fair value of trade-in aircraft is determined using aircraft-specific data such as model, age and condition,
market conditions for specific aircraft and similar models, and multiple valuation sources. This process
uses our assessment of the market for each trade-in aircraft, which in most instances begins years before
the return of the aircraft. There are several possible markets in which we continually pursue opportunities
to place used aircraft. These markets include, but are not limited to, the resale market, which could
potentially include the cost of long-term storage; the leasing market, with the potential for refurbishment
costs to meet the leasing customer’s requirements; or the scrap market. Trade-in aircraft valuation varies
significantly depending on which market we determine is most likely for each aircraft. On a quarterly basis,
we update our valuation analysis based on the actual activities associated with placing each aircraft into
a market. This quarterly valuation process yields results that are typically lower than residual value
estimates by independent sources and tends to more accurately reflect results upon the actual placement
of the aircraft.
Used aircraft acquired by the Commercial Airplanes segment are included in Inventories at the lower of
cost or market as it is our intent to sell these assets. To mitigate costs and enhance marketability, aircraft
may be placed on operating lease. While on operating lease, the assets are included in Customer financing.
Customer financing Customer financing includes operating lease equipment, notes receivable, and sales-
type/finance leases. Sales-type/finance leases are treated as receivables, and allowances for losses are
established as necessary.
We assess the fair value of the assets we own, including equipment under operating leases, assets held
for sale or re-lease, and collateral underlying receivables, to determine if their fair values are less than the
related assets’ carrying values. Differences between carrying values and fair values of sales-type/finance
leases and notes and other receivables, as determined by collateral value, are considered in determining
the allowance for losses on receivables.
We use a median calculated from published collateral values from multiple third-party aircraft value
publications based on the type and age of the aircraft to determine the fair value of aircraft. Under certain
circumstances, we apply judgment based on the attributes of the specific aircraft or equipment, usually