Definition
The labels, signs, and instrument markings that the FAA has officially accepted as part of an airplane's certification, displayed in the cockpit or on instruments to inform the pilot of operating limitations, procedures, or restrictions specific to that aircraft.
Plain English
The official little signs and colored marks inside the airplane that tell the pilot the rules and limits for flying that specific airplane. They are not random stickers — they are part of what makes the airplane legal to fly.
Context Anchor
You see approved placards/markings in the cockpit, on instruments, near controls, and sometimes on the outside of the airplane during preflight or normal operation.
Derivation
Placard' comes from the French 'plaquer,' meaning to lay flat or stick on — a flat notice fastened in place. 'Approved' here means accepted by the FAA during aircraft certification, not simply chosen by the owner. The combination signals that these are official, regulated notices, not informal labels.
Why Pilots Care
Following these ensures the aircraft stays inside its certified limits, which directly affects safety and prevents loss of control or structural issues during approach and landing.
Intuition Check
Do not read approved as simply “looks okay.” In this context, approved means officially accepted for that specific airplane. Do not read placards/markings as decoration; they are operating instructions or limits the pilot must use.
Example Sentence 1
During preflight, the pilot confirmed all approved placards/markings were legible, including the airspeed indicator's color arcs and the 'No Intentional Spins' placard on the panel.
Example Sentence 2
Any configuration change during the stabilized approach had to remain consistent with the speeds listed on the approved placards/markings.