Plain English Meaning
An airplane with an engine bigger than 200 horsepower. Pilots need extra training and a sign-off from an instructor before they can fly one as pilot in command.
Full Definition
Airplanes defined by the FAA as having an engine of more than 200 horsepower. Under 14 CFR 61.31, a pilot must receive specific ground and flight training and a one-time logbook endorsement from an authorized instructor before acting as pilot in command of a high-performance airplane.
Context Anchor
Seen in training plans, aircraft checkout requirements, and discussions of what airplanes a pilot is legally qualified to fly.
Why Pilots Care
Operating these aircraft without the required endorsement is both illegal and unsafe; the extra training ensures the pilot can manage higher power, speed, and systems complexity.
Intuition Check
High-performance does not just mean “fast” or “fancy.” In this FAA use, it means the airplane has an engine rated at more than 200 horsepower.
Example Sentence 1
Before her first flight in the Cessna 182, the instructor reviewed the systems and procedures required for the high-performance airplane endorsement.
Example Sentence 2
Transitioning to high-performance airplanes requires careful attention to manifold pressure and propeller control during takeoff and climb.