What must a commercial pilot do to act as pilot-in-command of a high-performance airplane?

To act as pilot-in-command of a high-performance airplane, a commercial pilot must complete the necessary training specialized for high-performance aircraft and receive an endorsement in their logbook from an authorized flight instructor. High-performance airplanes are defined as those with an engine of more than 200 horsepower, and they typically exhibit different handling characteristics compared to lower-performance aircraft.

The endorsement signifies that the pilot has not only received the appropriate instruction but has also demonstrated the requisite knowledge and skills to operate such aircraft safely. This process ensures that the pilot is adequately prepared to handle the specific performance and operational demands of high-performance airplanes, which may include more advanced systems and operating procedures than what the pilot may have encountered in other aircraft types.

Factors such as holding a second-class medical certificate or having a certain amount of flight experience may be important for overall pilot qualifications but do not specifically address the requirement for proficiency and endorsement necessary for operating high-performance airplanes. Additionally, while demonstrating proficiency to an inspector might be a requirement in some contexts, it is not a standard procedure specifically required for high-performance endorsements.