Map making question

I probably knew the answer to this question 30 years ago, but I don’t know it now so maybe someone can enlighten me.
Why do some airports have a 3 letter code SFO LGA DFW and others have those funky numbers and letters F51 x10 etc?

Dennis
I’m beginning to think you have toooooo much time on your hands.
Richard

WE HAVE A WINNER.

Steve wins since he answered 2 min before Jerry, who was also right.
Both of you win a 1 hour flight with Laz listening to him use big words.

In reply to:


I’m beginning to think you have toooooo much time on your hands


I do. But it’s raining and I’m afraid of the lightning so I cant fly.
SO, I just try to spend good quality time on the forum wondering about all those little things I always wondered about. . . . like how an airport got it’s name.
So, in the spirit of improving knowledge:
Why is Orlando International Airport named MCO instead of ORL.
Meanwhile, no one has the answer to my original question.

In reply to:


Why is Orlando International Airport named MCO instead of ORL.
Meanwhile, no one has the answer to my original question.


http://www.skygod.com/asstd/abc.html>This answers your 2nd question. This one may answer your first question; I didn’t have time to read it thoroughly.

Dennis,
MCO is Orlando because it used to be McCOy AFB.
You can find the requirements for naming airport identifiers on the FAA site at http://www2.faa.gov/atpubs/LID/ch1.htm

In reply to:


wondering about all those little things I always wondered about. . . .


Dennis,

I know the feeling! I’m on some looonnng business trips (I think I see the “Goddess” for the Sedona Fly-In!)

Here’s one I’ve wondered about: “4AZ is cleared to take off” Take off what? If it means you are cleared to take the airplane off the ground, why don’t they say “4AZ is cleared to put down”. (put the plane down on the ground.)

Or since it’s “Cleared to land”, why isn’t it “Cleared to sky”?

Curious people need to know! [:)]

Walt

ORL is the name of the original Orlando airport: Orlando Executive.