Definition
In FAA regulatory terms, a high performance airplane is one with an engine of more than 200 horsepower. Under 14 CFR 61.31(f), a pilot must receive and log ground and flight training from an authorized instructor in a high performance airplane, and obtain a one-time logbook endorsement, before acting as pilot in command of one.
Plain English
An airplane with a strong engine -- more than 200 horsepower. Before you can fly one as pilot in command, an instructor has to train you in it and sign your logbook saying you're qualified.
Context Anchor
Seen in logbook endorsements, aircraft checkout training, and discussions of what a pilot is legally allowed to fly.
Derivation
Performance comes from a word meaning to carry out or accomplish something. In aviation, it points to what an aircraft can do, such as how much power it has, how fast it can climb, or how demanding it may be to handle. In this FAA endorsement context, the key point is engine power over 200 horsepower.
Why Pilots Care
A pilot must hold a specific endorsement before acting as pilot in command of any high-performance airplane.
Intuition Check
High performance does not simply mean “fast” or “impressive” here. In this endorsement context, it means the airplane has an engine rated at more than 200 horsepower.
Example Sentence 1
Before her first solo flight in the Cessna 182, the instructor gave her a high performance endorsement in her logbook.
Example Sentence 2
The pilot could not act as PIC of the 230-horsepower airplane until the high performance endorsement was obtained.