Definition
Small signs, labels, or markings permanently affixed inside an aircraft that display required operating limitations, warnings, instructions, or information about specific equipment. Placards are part of the aircraft's official documentation and must be present, legible, and correct for the aircraft to be considered airworthy.
Plain English
Required labels and signs inside the aircraft that tell the pilot important limits, warnings, or how to operate something. They are not optional decorations — they are part of what makes the aircraft legal to fly.
Context Anchor
During preflight, a pilot checks that required placards are present, readable, and match the aircraft being flown.
Derivation
From the French 'placard,' meaning a poster or notice fixed to a wall. The aviation use keeps the same idea: a fixed notice the reader is meant to see and obey.
Why Pilots Care
Placards must be legible and present; missing or faded ones can make the aircraft unairworthy and lead to unsafe operation or enforcement action.
Intuition Check
A placard is not just a sticker or decoration. In an aircraft, a placard can carry required safety or operating information that the pilot is expected to follow.
Example Sentence 1
During preflight, the pilot confirmed that all required placards were in place and legible, including the fuel grade marking near the filler cap.
Example Sentence 2
The pilot checked the airspeed placard on the instrument panel before adjusting the flap setting for takeoff.