November 2004

Have you ever wondered why we refer to some airplanes by name while sticking to the numbers for others? For one thing, it’s sometimes simpler. I mean, it’s a lot easier to say “G-III” than “Grumman Gulfstream G-1159A,” and “T-206” is a lot easier and drier to say than “Turbo-System Super Skywagon,” isn’t it? The real reason we call some models by their name or nickname is that when it’s a good name, it fits.

For instance, can you imagine a P-51 being referred to as the North American Nimrod, or a 172 named the Clyde, after Mr. Cessna? Would you go to a classical piano concert if the performer’s name was Bubba? No matter how much research a marketer or designer does on the psychology of a name and its esthetic value in the market, the flying/buying public holds an option on what it will be called.