Airport Identifier Logic

On Tue, 12 Aug 2003 18:59:12 GMT, "Jay Honeck"
wrote:

In another thread, someone mentioned that only 13% (or something like that)
of the possible 3-letter combinations are currently used as airport
identifiers. Given this fact, why in the world did they start mixing
numbers into the scene?

For example, why "C89" (for Sylvania Field, in WI) instead of some letter
combo?

Anyone know why the identifiers are a mix of letters and numbers the way
they are?


I don't know the answer to that question but I am very intrigued
myself. I always wondered if there was any significance to the type
of designation. This curiosity rose to a new level when the airport
closest to my house (where I hang out and watch for hours but don't
fly out of) had their designation changed from N67 to KLOM.

This change in designation came after a runway rebuild (and extension)
and the installation of an AWOS. That led me to question whether the
type of designation is determined by the level of facilities that are
offered. Hope somebody knows.
Rich Russell