Definition
An aircraft with an engine of more than 200 horsepower. Under FAA regulations (14 CFR 61.31), a pilot must receive and log ground and flight training from an authorized instructor and obtain a one-time endorsement before acting as pilot in command of a high-performance aircraft.
Plain English
An airplane whose engine produces more than 200 horsepower. To fly one as pilot in command, you need a special sign-off from an instructor in your logbook, given just once.
Context Anchor
Seen in pilot training, aircraft checkout, rental requirements, logbook endorsements, and FAA pilot qualification discussions.
Derivation
High indicates exceeding a regulatory threshold; performance refers to measurable flight capabilities such as power and speed. The term arose from FAA classification systems that tie aircraft capability to required pilot qualifications.
Why Pilots Care
Determines whether a pilot must obtain a high-performance endorsement before acting as pilot in command.
Intuition Check
High-performance does not just mean “fast” or “fancy” here. In this context, the key point is the engine power: more than 200 horsepower.
Example Sentence 1
Before renting the Cessna 182, the pilot needed a high-performance endorsement because its engine produces 230 horsepower.
Example Sentence 2
A student who has only flown a Cessna 172 must receive additional training before operating a high-performance aircraft as pilot in command.