Definition
A label, sticker, or tag installed in the cockpit to mark a piece of equipment as inoperative when an item has been deferred under a Minimum Equipment List (MEL) or other approved deferral procedure. It alerts the pilot that the affected instrument, control, or system is not to be used until repaired and signed off, and it remains in place only until the discrepancy is corrected.
Plain English
A short-term "do not use" sign placed on a broken piece of cockpit equipment so the pilot can clearly see it isn't working. It stays there until the equipment is fixed.
Context Anchor
Seen during preflight, maintenance review, or minimum equipment list checks when an aircraft has an item that is not working but may still be allowed to fly under specific conditions.
Derivation
"Temporary" comes from Latin tempus (time), meaning lasting only a limited time. "Placard" comes from Old French plaquier (to lay flat or stick on), the same root as "plaque." Together: a notice stuck on something for a limited time -- exactly what it is in the cockpit.
Why Pilots Care
It visibly documents deferred items to maintain regulatory compliance and prevent accidental use of inoperative equipment during flight.
Intuition Check
Do not read “temporary” as casual or optional. In this context, a temporary placard is still an official cockpit notice and must be treated as part of the aircraft’s current operating condition.
Example Sentence 1
During preflight, the pilot noticed a temporary placard on the autopilot switch indicating it had been deferred under the MEL.
Example Sentence 2
After the MEL deferral, the mechanic installed a temporary placard stating the transponder was out of service.