What endorsements are required to act as PIC in a high-performance airplane?

• A. A solo endorsement
• B. A high-performance-airplane endorsement
• C. A complex-airplane endorsement
• D. A type rating

Answer: (B)

To act as PIC in a high-performance airplane, you must have a high-performance-airplane endorsement. This one-time endorsement is earned after completing training with a certified flight instructor and certifies you can safely operate aircraft with more than 200 horsepower, which have different handling and performance characteristics than typical training airplanes. It’s separate from other endorsements you might see: a complex-airplane endorsement covers aircraft with retractable gear, flaps, and other complex systems, and a type rating is required only for certain large or unique airplanes. Even if a high-performance airplane happens to be complex, the key requirement to PIC is the high-performance endorsement; the complex endorsement would apply only if the airplane also meets the complex criteria.