Definition
A single-engine airplane equipped with an engine of more than 200 horsepower. Under FAA regulations (14 CFR 61.31), a pilot must receive and log specific ground and flight training from an authorized instructor and obtain a one-time endorsement before acting as pilot in command of such an aircraft.
Plain English
A one-engine airplane with a stronger-than-average engine—more than 200 horsepower. Because it is faster and more demanding to fly, the FAA requires the pilot to get extra training and a logbook sign-off before flying one alone.
Context Anchor
Seen in training discussions about single-pilot resource management, aircraft checkout, transition training, and planning for faster single-engine airplanes.
Derivation
"High performance" simply means the aircraft can do more—climb faster, cruise faster, carry more—because of its larger engine. The FAA chose 200 horsepower as the dividing line where the airplane's capability and workload step up enough to justify required additional training.
Why Pilots Care
Identifies aircraft requiring a high-performance endorsement and signals the need for disciplined resource management to maintain safety margins.
Intuition Check
Do not read “high performance” as simply “better” or “sporty.” In this FAA context, it centers on engine power: more than 200 horsepower, with the faster pace and workload that usually come with it.
Example Sentence 1
Before renting the Cessna 182, she completed her high performance single-engine aircraft training and received the required endorsement in her logbook.
Example Sentence 2
Single-pilot resource management becomes especially important when flying a high performance single-engine aircraft in busy airspace.