Which condition defines a high performance airplane?

A high performance airplane is defined specifically as a piston-driven aircraft with an engine rating of over 200 horsepower. This classification is important because it has implications for the pilot's training and certification requirements. Pilots operating high-performance airplanes must have received specific training to manage the added complexity and performance capabilities of these aircraft, such as speed, climb rate, and handling characteristics.

The other choices touch on different capabilities or features of aircraft but do not align with the regulatory definition of high performance. For instance, while an autopilot may enhance flight operations, it does not determine an aircraft’s performance classification. Additionally, the ability to achieve vertical takeoff relates more to operational capabilities and categories like rotorcraft or specific models of fixed-wing aircraft, rather than defining high performance based on engine output. Lastly, cruising speed alone does not qualify an aircraft as high performance; the focus is primarily on engine horsepower rather than speed metrics. Thus, a piston engine rating over 200 horsepower qualifies the airplane as high performance, impacting pilot requirements and operational considerations.