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.
Plain English
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.
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.