"aero" is rather obvious, presumably "of the air". However, "plane" seems an
unusual choice of word. To "plane" the air? To fly along a "plane" of air? A
wing "planing" through air?

Since the usage is British (and I think "aeroplane" precedes
"airplane") I turn to the Shorter Oxford, which sez:

middle 19th century (!)

from the French (we will have to call it a Freedom Craft, I suppose)

in which language aero means aero

and plane is from the Greek planos = wandering


all the best -- Dan Ford (email: info AT danford.net)

see the Warbird's Forum at http://www.danford.net/index.htm
Vietnam | Flying Tigers | Pacific War | Brewster Buffalo | Piper Cub