Definition
A placard installed in an aircraft that shows the approved weight and balance loading limits for that specific airplane, including maximum weights for each seat, baggage compartment, and fuel, along with any restrictions needed to keep the center of gravity within limits.
Plain English
A small printed sign in the aircraft that tells you exactly how much weight you can put where, so the airplane stays within its safe loading limits.
Context Anchor
Seen in weight-and-balance planning, especially when using the table method shown in the aircraft information or on a placard in the airplane.
Derivation
Placard comes from the French plaquer, meaning to plate or stick on. A placard is literally something fixed in place to display information that must not be missed.
Why Pilots Care
Provides the precise station arms required to keep the center of gravity within the approved envelope and maintain safe handling qualities.
Intuition Check
Do not read “schedule” as a time schedule here. A loading schedule placard is a posted loading guide, not a calendar or timetable.
Example Sentence 1
Before loading the bags, the pilot checked the loading schedule placard to confirm the rear baggage compartment limit.
Example Sentence 2
Using the table method, the student pilot located each station arm directly from the loading schedule placard mounted near the main door.