Exhibit 10.1
AIRCRAFT LEASE
AGREEMENT
AIRCRAFT LEASE
AGREEMENT (“Agreement” or “Lease”)
made and dated for reference as of the 17 th day of January 2007, at Carlsbad,
California.
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BETWEEN:
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Heckmann
Enterprises, Inc.
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LESSOR
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AND:
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K2
Inc.
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LESSEE
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W I T N E S S E T
H:
Lessee has requested Lessor to
provide, and Lessor is willing to provide the aircraft described in
Appendix A annexed hereto for the purpose of leasing the same to
Lessee for the Term identified in Section 1.
Lessee shall lease the described
aircraft from Lessor pursuant to and upon the terms, conditions and
provisions of this Agreement.
The parties hereto covenant and
agree as follows:
The following terms, whenever used
in this Agreement will have the following meanings, unless
otherwise required by context:
“ AIRCRAFT ”
means the one (1) Canadair Ltd. Challenger CL600-2B16
Airframe, bearing manufacturer serial number 5111 and FAA
Registration Number N502HE, as more fully described in Appendix
A , along with the Engines, the Manuals and Technical Records,
and the Parts, or one or more of the above as required by
context.
“ ENGINES ” means
two (2) General Electric CF 34 Engines, bearing manufacturer
serial number 350421 on the left engine and 350402 on the right
engine.
“ FLIGHT HOUR ”
shall mean each hour elapsing from the moment the wheels of the
Aircraft leave the ground on take off to the moment when the wheels
of the Aircraft touch ground on landing. For the purposes of all
calculations under this Agreement measured in Flight Hours, such
hours including fractions thereof shall be measured in tenths of an
hour.
“ HANGAR ” means
the aircraft hangar owned by Lessor and located at Palm Springs
International Airport, Palm Springs, California, subject to change
if approved in writing by Lessee.
“ MANUALS AND TECHNICAL
RECORDS ” means all records, manuals, technical data,
logs and other materials and documents in relation to the Aircraft,
as shall be required by the Aviation Authority or by applicable law
to be kept or maintained in relation to the Aircraft.
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“ PARTS ” means
all components, Engines, instruments, accessories, furnishings, and
other equipment of whatever nature.
“ RENT COMMENCEMENT
DATE ” means the date rent initially starts on the
Aircraft, as identified in “Lease Payments,”
Section 4.
“ TOTAL LOSS ”
with respect to the Aircraft, Airframe or any Engine shall mean any
of the following events with respect to such property:
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(a)
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an actual or
constructive total loss of such property;
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(b)
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destruction or
damage beyond repair, or rendition permanently unfit for normal use
for any reason whatsoever;
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(c)
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hijacking or
theft thereof or disappearance thereof for a period in excess of
ninety (90) consecutive days;
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(d)
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the
condemnation, confiscation, compulsory acquisition, seizure,
requisition of title or taking of title to the Aircraft or Airframe
or any Engine by any governmental entity; or
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(e)
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the
deprivation, requisition or taking for use of the Aircraft or
Airframe or any Engine by any Governmental Entity or
instrumentality or agency thereof for a period greater than ninety
(90) consecutive days.
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A Total Loss with respect to the
Aircraft shall be deemed to have occurred if a Total Loss has
occurred with respect to the Airframe.
1. TERM OF LEASE
.
This Agreement is for both the
Aircraft and the Hangar. Subject to Lessee’s execution and
delivery of the Acceptance Certificate attached hereto as Exhibit
B, this Agreement will commence immediately on delivery of the
Aircraft to Lessee by Lessor on January 22, 2007. The
Agreement will remain in effect until the 31
st
day of December, 2011,
unless otherwise terminated under the terms of this Agreement (the
“Term”). Either Lessor or Lessee shall have the right
to terminate this Agreement at any time upon not less than ninety
(90) days prior written notice; provided that such termination
shall not affect either party’s obligations hereunder for any
period prior to such termination including, without limitation, any
party’s maintenance obligations set forth in
Section 7.
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2. NATURE OF LEASE
.
The parties acknowledge and agree
that it is their intent that this Lease be treated as a “true
lease” for Federal income tax purposes.
3. LESSOR’S
WARRANTIES .
a. Except as otherwise provided
herein, the Aircraft is leased to Lessee hereunder “AS IS,
WHERE IS” and Lessor does not make or give any warranties as
to the Aircraft, its airworthiness, design, fitness or condition,
or as to any other matter or thing whatsoever except for warranty
of right of quiet enjoyment, and all warranties are, to the extent
permitted by law or otherwise provided herein, hereby expressly
excluded, except Lessor represents and warrants that it has the
legal right to lease the Aircraft hereunder, that the entering into
and performance of this Agreement by Lessor do not conflict with
any contract or agreement to which Lessor is a party or by which it
or its properties are bound or affected, and that this Agreement is
in compliance with all applicable federal and state laws with
respect to the status of Lessor in its capacity as owner/lessor of
the Aircraft and in its status as operator of the Aircraft when the
Aircraft is in the operational control of Lessor, its affiliates or
agents as contemplated in Section 4(d).
b. Except as otherwise expressly
provided in this Agreement, Lessor shall not be liable to Lessee
for any loss, cost, damage, or expense of any kind or nature,
caused directly or indirectly, by the Aircraft or the use or
maintenance thereof, or by any interruption of service of
whatsoever and howsoever caused, other than interruption of right
of quiet enjoyment.
LESSOR LEASES THE AIRCRAFT TO LESSEE
HEREUNDER “AS IS” AND “WHERE IS”, AND
NEITHER LESSOR NOR ANY SUCCESSOR IN INTEREST THERETO, BY ASSIGNMENT
OR OTHERWISE, SHALL BE DEEMED TO HAVE MADE OR TO MAKE AND BY
ACCEPTING THE AIRCRAFT HEREUNDER LESSEE HEREBY WAIVES, RELEASES AND
RENOUNCES ANY RIGHTS PREMISED UPON OR ANY RELIANCE UPON ANY
REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES, LIABILITIES OR GUARANTEES OF ANY KIND,
EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, STATUTORY OR OTHERWISE WITH RESPECT TO
THE AIRCRAFT, AIRFRAME, ANY ENGINE, PART OR OTHER THING DELIVERED,
LEASED, OR TRANSFERRED HEREUNDER, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO:
(A) AIRWORTHINESS, CONDITION, VALUE, TITLE, DESIGN, OPERATION,
MERCHANTABILITY, COMPLIANCE WITH SPECIFICATION, CONSTRUCTION,
PERFORMANCE OR FITNESS FOR USE; (B) THE ABSENCE OF LATENT OR
OTHER DEFECTS, WHETHER OR NOT DISCOVERABLE; (C) THE ABSENCE OF
ANY INFRINGEMENT OF ANY PATENT, TRADEMARK OR COPYRIGHT;
(D) THE QUALITY OF THE MATERIAL OR WORKMANSHIP; OR
(E) (i) ANY LIABILITY ARISING IN TORT OR CONTRACT,
EXPRESS OR IMPLIED; (ii) ANY OBLIGATION OR LIABILITY ARISING
FROM NEGLIGENCE, STRICT LIABILITY, OR PRODUCTS LIABILITY;
(iii) ANY IMPLIED WARRANTY ARISING FROM COURSE OF PERFORMANCE,
COURSE OF DEALING OR USAGE OF TRADE; OR (iv) ANY LOSS FROM
INTERRUPTION OF USE, LOST PROFITS, LOST BUSINESS OR OTHER SPECIAL
OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES. LESSOR HEREBY WAIVES, RELEASES AND
RENOUNCES ANY CLAIMS FOR LOSS FROM INTERRUPTION OF USE, LOST
PROFITS, LOST BUSINESS OR OTHER SPECIAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES
ARISING OUT OF LESSOR’S RIGHTS TO USE THE AIRCRAFT DURING THE
TERM OF THIS AGREEMENT.
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4. LEASE PAYMENTS
.
a. Lessee shall pay Lessor rent in
the amount of $30,000, such first payment being due on
January 22, 2007 and subsequent rent payments being due on the
equivalent day of each succeeding month until the end of the
Term.
b. On or before the 10th day of each
calendar month, Lessee shall provide Lessor with a written
statement setting forth the number of Flight Hours for which the
Aircraft has been used by Lessee and Lessor, respectively, during
the immediately preceding calendar month.
c. All Rent payable under this Lease
shall be paid in the full amount required to be paid hereunder
without regard to any Tax, fines, levies or charges whatsoever and
paid in U.S. dollar funds consisting of lawful currency of the
United States of America that shall be immediately available at
Lessor’s U.S. bank account.
d. As additional Rent hereunder,
subject always to Lessee’s prior right to use of the
Aircraft, Lessor shall be entitled to use the Aircraft for
Lessor’s purposes during the Term of this Agreement. If
Lessor desires to use the Aircraft, it shall give Lessee as much
advance notice of such usage as is practicable. Provided that
Lessee is not using the Aircraft for its purposes, Lessee shall
make the Aircraft available for Lessor’s use. Lessor and
Lessee acknowledge, agree and understand that when Lessor is using
the Aircraft for Lessor’s purposes, Lessor shall be
completely responsible for and in control of the Aircraft and
Lessee shall not be responsible for and not in control of the
Aircraft. To the extent that Lessor chooses to use flight crews
employed by Lessee when Lessor is using the Aircraft, the flight
crews will report to and take directions exclusively from Lessor
and, in all events, shall comply with the applicable Federal
Aviation Regulations. At such times as Lessor uses the Aircraft,
Lessor shall comply with the provisions of Sections 6(d) and
6(e) as if it were the “Lessee” and shall comply with
the provisions of all insurance policies maintained by Lessee
pursuant to Section 8. At such times as Lessor uses the
Aircraft, Lessor shall be responsible for all variable costs in
connection with the operation of the Aircraft, including, but not
limited to, fuel, landing fees, “Smart Parts” fees,
maintenance service plan fees, hangaring fees, catering, crew
travel and quartering, flight telephone and expendable supplies.
The Lessor and Lessee will execute a delivery receipt in the form
attached hereto as Appendix C when Lessor uses the Aircraft and
returns the Aircraft to Lessee. With respect to operation of the
Aircraft by Lessor, its affiliates or agents, if the Lessee, its
officers, directors, shareholders, employees, agents or
representatives (“Lessee Parties”) shall suffer any
Claims (as defined in Section 6(m)) that are not covered by
insurance or warranty or are not attributable to normal or
customary operation of the Aircraft or which are attributable to
Lessor’s breach of its obligations under this Lease, Lessor
shall hold the Lessee Parties harmless with respect to such
Claims.
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e. Lessee’s and Lessor’s
obligations hereunder shall be absolute and unconditional and shall
not be affected or reduced by any circumstances including, without
limitation: (i) any set-off, counterclaim, recoupment,
defense, or other right that Lessee may have against Lessor or any
person for any reason whatsoever except for breach of warranty to
include but not limited to Lessee’s right of quiet enjoyment;
(ii) any defect in the airworthiness, condition, design,
operation, or fitness for use of, or any damage to or loss or
destruction of, the Aircraft, unless such defect in title actually
or effectively prevents Lessee’s viable and efficient
commercial use of the aircraft; (iii) any interruption or
cessation in the use or possession of the Aircraft by Lessee or
Lessor or availability thereof to Lessee or Lessor for any reason
arising out of or related to an act or omission of Lessee, or any
person other than Lessor or entities acting through Lessor;
(iv) any insolvency, bankruptcy, reorganization, or similar
proceedings by or against Lessor or Lessee; (v) any other
circumstances or happening of any nature whatsoever, similar to any
of the foregoing; or (vi) any Taxes, it being the express
intention of Lessor and Lessee that amounts payable hereunder shall
be payable hereunder in all events unless the obligation to pay the
same is terminated pursuant to the express provisions of this
Lease. To the extent permitted by applicable law, Lessee hereby
waives any rights it may now have or that may be conferred upon it,
by statute or otherwise, to terminate, cancel, quit or surrender
this Lease except in accordance with the terms hereof.
Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 4(e), Lessee
shall otherwise have the rights and remedies provided for in this
Lease against Lessor, provided that said rights shall not be
asserted in an action to enforce this Lease in violation of the
terms of this Lease.
f. Lessee and Lessor acknowledge
that the rentals payable pursuant to Section 4(a) were
determined based upon an assumed average annual usage by Lessee of
300 Flight Hours. Lessee and Lessor agree to negotiate in good
faith an adjustment to such rentals in the event that
Lessee’s aggregate usage from the commencement of this
Agreement through the end of any calendar year exceeds 120% of the
product of 300 Flight Hours times the number of years elapsed since
the commencement of this Agreement.
5. RETURN OF AIRCRAFT
.
Upon the termination of this
Agreement, Lessee shall return the Aircraft to Lessor at such
location in the continental United States as may be mutually agreed
upon by Lessor and Lessee, in the condition described in Appendix
D.
The Aircraft shall be equipped and
in the same configuration as it was on delivery. All Manuals, Logs
and Technical Records will be current and accurate with respect to
the period of this Agreement. All modifications, alterations, and
additions made to the aircraft during the Lease will be removed at
Lessee’s expense, except for those made pursuant to an
Airworthiness Directive or service letter or bulletin issued by the
Airframe or Engine manufacturer, and except for those designated by
Lessor, with agreement of Lessee, to remain as part of the
Aircraft.
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Lessor will issue a certificate of
acceptance once the conditions of this section have been complied
with to the reasonable satisfaction of Lessor.
6. LESSEE’S
COVENANTS .
Lessee covenants with
Lessor:
a. That the Aircraft was selected by
Lessee and that it is of a make, size, design and capacity desired
by Lessee for the purposes intended by Lessee.
b. To keep and maintain the Aircraft
in a fully operative and airworthy condition in conformity with any
requirements or airworthiness directives which may from time to
time be made by the manufacturers of the Aircraft, and in
conformity with all applicable laws, orders, rules, regulations,
and directives of governmental departments, boards or authorities,
relating to the maintenance or storage of the Aircraft. Maintenance
costs and costs of complying with any airworthiness directives
shall be borne by Lessee and Lessor as provided in Section 7
hereof.
c. That, at Lessor’s risk and
expense, Lessor or its agent shall have the right at all reasonable
times and on reasonable notice to fully inspect the Aircraft and
any parts thereof, and any documents relating thereto to determine
the condition of the Aircraft, and to further determine whether or
not Lessee is performing according to the covenants and conditions
herein contained.
d. To operate the Aircraft at all
times in conformity with all the applicable laws, orders, rules,
regulations, and authorities, domestic or foreign, and in
conformity with any limitations or restrictions of performance
which may from time to time be recommended by the manufacturers of
the Aircraft, and within the geographical limitations on operations
of the Aircraft pursuant to applicable policies of insurance
maintained by Lessee.
e. To permit the Aircraft to be
operated only by certified pilots employed by Lessee or contracted
by Lessee and who hold valid and subsisting licenses or permits
appropriate to their duties, and who have at least the minimum
total pilot hours required by any policies of insurance on the
Aircraft.
f. Not to use or operate the
Aircraft or permit it to be used or operated illegally or contrary
to any applicable laws, regulations, orders, rules or directives of
any power or government or agency thereof having jurisdiction, and
to indemnify and hold Lessor, harmless from and against any and all
actions, precautions, administrative proceedings or similar
assertions or threats in any way arising out of the custody, use or
operation of the Aircraft during the Term of this Agreement and,
subject to Lessee’s reasonable contest rights, to assume
liability and pay for any and all transgressions, defaults, fines,
penalties or forfeiture incurred, suffered or assessed against
Lessor or the Aircraft during the Term of this Agreement together
with all legal fees, costs and expenses incidental to the foregoing
to the complete exoneration of Lessor.
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g. Not to sublease or otherwise
transfer possession of the Aircraft or any Engine to any Person,
provided that, so long as no Event of Default shall have
occurred and be continuing, Lessee may, upon notice to Lessor
deliver possession of the Airframe or any Engine to the
manufacturer thereof for testing or other similar purposes or to
any FAA-approved repair facility reasonably acceptable to Lessor
for service, repair, maintenance or overhaul work of the Airframe
or any Engine or any part thereof or for alterations or
modifications in or additions to the Airframe or any Engine to the
extent required or permitted by the terms of this Lease.
h. To keep the Aircraft free and
clear of all seizures, security interests, forfeitures, liens,
claims, privileges, debts, taxes, charges, pledges or encumbrances
of any nature whatsoever applicable to any occurrence during the
Term of this Agreement. `
i. That if for any reason any part
of the Aircraft is replaced with a similar part, or any part or
attachment is added thereto, no matter by whom manufactured, the
part so replaced or added shall at once become the property of
Lessor, to the same extent as all the original parts of the
Aircraft, and with the same rights and powers of Lessor in all
respects as if such part had been one of the original parts
thereof, and any such part added will be supported by complete
records back to the original manufacture date. Any new part placed
on the Aircraft shall be free of liens and shall be of same value
and utility as the part being replaced.
j. Subject to Lessee’s
reasonable contest rights, to pay, when due, all license fees and
other fees and assessments necessary for the securing of licenses,
certificates of registration and certificates of airworthiness and
other similar permits for the operation of the Aircraft during the
Term of this Agreement, and further, to pay, when due, all taxes,
fees, assessments or other levies now and hereafter imposed by any
provincial, federal or local government upon the Aircraft, or upon
the leasing, use or operation thereof (but not on the income of
Lessor), whether assessed to Lessor, or to Lessee; provided that
upon payment of such fees, assessments, taxes or levies, Lessee
will promptly deliver the receipts for such payments to Lessor, and
that if Lessor pays any sum or sums constituting an obligation of
Lessee under this Agreement, then the amount of such payments shall
be reimbursed on demand.
k. Subject to Sections 4(d) and 7
hereof, to furnish at its own cost and expense all fuel,
lubricants, and other material necessary for the operation of the
Aircraft, pay all maintenance, storage, hangar (other than home
base hangaring), landing, airport and customs charges and fees and
all other charges of operation, maintenance (except as otherwise
provided herein), or storage of the Aircraft.
l. To assume custody of the Aircraft
and full responsibility for its operation and maintenance during
the Term. In the event of a failure of any component (to include
but not limited to any Engine), it is the responsibility of Lessee
to remove, repair and re-install such item. Subject to
Section 7 hereof, if any Engine or other major component
becomes non-repairable for any cause, it will be replaced with a
replacement of equal value and utility with the same or improved
performance ability the original, all