Photograph: Guests dine at AMR Combs' FBO terminal at SFO. As the first stage of a major airport expansion and modernization, the opening of AMR Combs' new FBO at San Francisco International Airport on September 30 represented more than just the promise of better service for business aviation. It was, according to SFO director John Martin and the new facility's manager, AMR Combs Vice President Steven True, a symbol of cooperation between the airport authority and private enterprise.

A proposed new, small turbine engine from Allison will look nothing at all like the engine builder's current--and ubiquitous--Model 250 turboshaft. While bracketing the same 350- to 800-shp power range, the powerplant will shun the Model 250's reverse-flow gas path for a more straightforward axial-flow configuration.

Leasing continues to be a popular vehicle for enjoying the benefits of business aircraft without the attendant tax exposure, and 1996 proved to be another growth year for the equipment leasing industry. New business volume was up, and lessors taking possession of aircraft at lease terminations experienced better-than-anticipated residuals due to a brisk resale market. One major lease/finance company claimed it increased its business aircraft portfolio by 20 percent.