FAA Commercial Pilot Airplane (CAX)Aircraft SystemsMedium
A client asks a flight instructor whether a high-performance endorsement is required to act as pilot in command of an airplane with fixed landing gear and a 210-horsepower engine. What should the instructor say?
- AYes, but only if the airplane is also classified as complex
- BNo endorsement is needed because the gear is fixed, not retractable
- CNo, high-performance status applies only to airplanes with constant-speed propellers
- DYes, because the engine produces more than 200 horsepower, making the airplane high-performance regardless of gear type
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. Yes, because the engine produces more than 200 horsepower, making the airplane high-performance regardless of gear type
14 CFR 61.1(b) defines a high-performance airplane simply as one with an engine of more than 200 horsepower. Landing gear type and complex status are unrelated to this determination.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. High-performance and complex are independent, separately required endorsements.
- B. Gear type is irrelevant to the high-performance definition.
- C. Propeller type is part of the complex definition, not high-performance.
High-Performance Airplane Definition
An airplane with an engine rated at more than 200 horsepower, per 14 CFR 61.1.
- Based solely on horsepower, not gear or propeller type
- Separate endorsement from complex airplane endorsement
- An airplane can be high-performance without being complex, or both
Memory trick: Over 200 horses = high-performance, no matter the legs (gear).