Harry Combs, who founded premier US fixed-based operator (FBO) network AMR Combs and was president of Gates Learjet from 1971 to 1982, died on 26 December aged 90. Combs formed his first FBO, Mountain State Aviation, in Denver in 1938. Renamed Combs Aviation, it expanded to other locations and eventually was acquired by American Airlines' parent AMR, which ultimately sold the FBO chain to Signature. In December, Combs donated a $1 million Wright Flyer replica to the US National Park Service for display at Kill Devil Hills in North Carolina.

Source: Flight International