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FALCON BMS · Fighter
F-16C Block 50 Startup Checklist
F-16C Block 50 Startup Notes
BMS models the Viper's Jet Fuel Starter with real consequences: the JFS runs off hydraulic accumulators that are only recharged by a running engine, so a botched start costs you attempts you cannot get back on the ramp. Main power on, JFS to START 2, and at 20 percent RPM lift the throttle over the idle detent (a separate keybind in BMS). The JFS cuts off around 55 percent, the generator comes online, and a NORM alignment then takes about eight minutes.
The classic BMS failure is missing the idle detent: the engine just motors, the JFS gives up, and you have drained your accumulators for nothing. Just as common is rotating the INS knob to NAV before RDY flashes on the DED, which leaves you with a degraded alignment, and powering the whole avionics stack before the generator is online. Fly the ramp start flow in order, treat 20 percent RPM as your cue, and let the alignment finish.
Common mistakes
- Missing the idle detent and draining the JFS accumulators
- Going to NAV before RDY flashes on the DED
- Powering full avionics before the main generator is online
Related Aircraft
Pilot Tools for This Flight
FLIGHT2.17.1Checklist
F-16C Block 50FALCON BMS · Startup Checklist · 144 steps · 18 phases
PHS 1 - Pre-Flight Planning8 steps
| 01 | Mission BriefREVIEWEDNOTE: Review mission type, objectives, ROE, threat environment, and timeline. | |
| 02 | Weather BriefingREVIEWEDNOTE: Check departure, target area, and recovery weather. Note icing levels. | |
| 03 | NOTAMs / AirspaceREVIEWEDNOTE: Check restricted areas, active MOAs, and NOTAM restrictions. | |
| 04 | Fuel Planning - Bingo / JokerSETNOTE: Calculate bingo fuel (min to RTB) and joker fuel (leave target area). Single-engine - fuel management is critical. | |
| 05 | Stores / LoadoutVERIFIEDNOTE: Confirm weapons, pylons, pods, and external tanks match mission requirements. | |
| 06 | Data Cartridge (DC)LOADEDNOTE: Verify DC contains correct steerpoints, threats, radios, and IFF codes for the mission. | |
| 07 | Radio Frequencies / IFFSETNOTE: Set UHF/VHF presets. Confirm IFF Mode 1/2/3/4 codes. Brief EMCON restrictions. | |
| 08 | Divert BasesIDENTIFIEDNOTE: Know nearest divert fields, runway lengths, and approach frequencies. |
PHS 2 - Electrical Power7 steps
| 01 | Main Power SwitchBATTNOTE: Applies battery power. Cockpit will partially illuminate. | |
| 02 | CanopyCLOSE & LOCKNOTE: Ensure canopy is fully latched before applying main power. | |
| 03 | Main Power SwitchMAIN PWRNOTE: Applies main electrical bus power. | |
| 04 | Oxygen Supply LeverON | |
| 05 | Fuel Master SwitchMASTER (Guard Up)WARNING: Engine cannot receive fuel without this switch. | |
| 06 | ENG FEED KnobNORM | |
| 07 | Cockpit LightingSET AS NEEDED |
PHS 3 - Avionics Power-Up10 steps
| 01 | Avionics Power KnobONNOTE: Wait ~30 seconds for avionics to initialise before proceeding. | |
| 02 | MMC SwitchMMC | |
| 03 | ST STA SwitchST STA | |
| 04 | MFD SwitchMFD | |
| 05 | UFC SwitchUFC | |
| 06 | GPS SwitchGPS | |
| 07 | DL SwitchDL | |
| 08 | Master ArmSAFE | |
| 09 | Left HDPT SwitchOFFNOTE: Hardpoint switches - off during startup. | |
| 10 | Right HDPT SwitchOFF |
PHS 4 - Before Engine Start6 steps
| 01 | ThrottleCUTOFFWARNING: Throttle must be in CUTOFF before JFS activation. | |
| 02 | STORES CONFIG SwitchCAT I or CAT IIINOTE: Set based on external stores loaded. | |
| 03 | Anti-Ice SwitchAS REQUIRED | |
| 04 | Seat Arm HandleARMEDCAUTION: Ensure area is clear before arming ejection seat. | |
| 05 | Parking BrakeSET | |
| 06 | Wheel ChocksIN PLACE (Confirm with Crew Chief) |
PHS 5 - Engine Start (JFS)9 steps
| 01 | JFS SwitchSTART 2NOTE: Jet Fuel Starter activates. Listen for JFS spool-up. | |
| 02 | JFS RPMSTABILISED (~100%)NOTE: Wait for JFS to reach operating speed before advancing throttle. | |
| 03 | ThrottleIDLENOTE: Advance to IDLE when JFS is at speed. Engine light-off should occur. | |
| 04 | Engine RPMINCREASINGCAUTION: If no light-off by 20% RPM, retard throttle to CUTOFF immediately. | |
| 05 | Oil PressureRISING WITHIN 10 SECWARNING: Shut down immediately if oil pressure does not rise. | |
| 06 | Nozzle Position60–80% (SETTLING)NOTE: Nozzle should open wide then settle as engine accelerates. | |
| 07 | Engine RPM at IDLE~62–65%NOTE: Allow engine to fully stabilise at idle. | |
| 08 | JFS SwitchOFF (Auto)NOTE: JFS will cut out automatically once engine reaches idle. Verify JFS RUN light extinguishes. | |
| 09 | FLCS BITINITIATENOTE: Press FLCS BIT button on left console. Flight control system self-test. |
PHS 6 - Post-Start Checks6 steps
| 01 | EPU SwitchNORM (Guard closed)CAUTION: Ensure EPU ARM light is extinguished. | |
| 02 | FLCS BIT LightEXTINGUISHED (Test Complete) | |
| 03 | Caution / Warning LightsALL CLEARNOTE: ADDRESS any remaining caution lights before proceeding. | |
| 04 | Hydraulic Pressure (A & B)2,850–3,250 PSI | |
| 05 | FUEL QTYCHECKNOTE: Verify fuel quantity matches pre-flight plan. Check BINGO setting. | |
| 06 | Engine instrumentsIN LIMITSNOTE: Verify RPM, FTIT (Fanjet Turbine Inlet Temp), Nozzle %, Oil PSI all stable. |
PHS 7 - INS / Navigation Alignment8 steps
| 01 | INS KnobNORMNOTE: Switch to NORM to begin full inertial alignment. Allow 4–8 minutes for full alignment. | |
| 02 | Data CartridgeINSERT & LOADNOTE: Insert DC into Data Transfer Equipment (DTE) slot. LOAD button light will extinguish when loaded. | |
| 03 | UFC - STPT 1VERIFY COORDINATESNOTE: Confirm steerpoints match briefed coordinates. | |
| 04 | IFF Master KnobNORMNOTE: Set IFF codes as briefed. | |
| 05 | IFF Mode 4ON (Code Loaded) | |
| 06 | TACANT/R, Channel SETNOTE: Set TACAN channel for departure airfield. | |
| 07 | HSI Course / HeadingSETNOTE: Confirm correct bearing pointer and desired course. | |
| 08 | INS Alignment StatusALIGNED (IFA or NAV)NOTE: Wait for ALIGN light on DED to show ALIGN or 8-ball to move. |
PHS 8 - Weapons & Sensors5 steps
| 01 | SMS (Stores Management System)VERIFY LOADOUTNOTE: Check MFD SMS page. Confirm all stations match briefed weapons. | |
| 02 | Weapon FuzingSET AS BRIEFED | |
| 03 | FCR (Fire Control Radar)ON / WARM UPNOTE: Allow radar to warm up during alignment. Verify BIT pass on MFD. | |
| 04 | EWS (Electronic Warfare)PROGRAMS SETNOTE: Set chaff and flare programs per threat environment briefing. | |
| 05 | ECM PodON (If equipped)NOTE: Allow warm-up time before ECM is operational. |
PHS 9 - Before Taxi7 steps
| 01 | Radar AltimeterON, SET 200 FTNOTE: Set low altitude warning as appropriate for departure. | |
| 02 | AltimeterSET QNH / FIELD ELEVATIONNOTE: Set baro altimeter to current QNH. Verify field elevation ±75 ft. | |
| 03 | LightsAS REQUIREDNOTE: Nav lights on. Anti-collision as required. Taxi light on. | |
| 04 | Flight ControlsCHECK FREE & CORRECTNOTE: Full deflection check - stick fore/aft, left/right; rudder left/right. | |
| 05 | BrakesCHECKCAUTION: Test toe brakes before releasing parking brake. | |
| 06 | Parking BrakeRELEASENOTE: Release when cleared to taxi. | |
| 07 | Nose Wheel SteeringENGAGED (NWS light ON) |
PHS 10 - Taxi7 steps
| 01 | Taxi SpeedSAFE FOR SURFACE AND WEIGHTCAUTION: If taxi speed or direction cannot be controlled, shut down the engine immediately.NOTE: Judge speed against surface condition, gross weight, slope and thrust. | |
| 02 | Nose Wheel SteeringENGAGED BELOW TAXI SPEEDWARNING: An NWS malfunction at any speed can cause an abrupt turn, tire skid or blowout, or aircraft tipping.NOTE: NWS should not be engaged above taxi speed unless needed to prevent departure from the prepared surface. | |
| 03 | BrakesCHECKED, MODERATE APPLICATIONNOTE: Using less than moderate braking to slow to taxi speed increases the likelihood of hot brakes. | |
| 04 | Contaminated SurfacesAVOID DEEP WATER, SLUSH, SNOWNOTE: Avoids brake icing. On ice or hard packed snow use a combination of NWS and differential braking for directional control. | |
| 05 | Flight Instruments and HUDCHECKED DURING TURNS | |
| 06 | Arresting CablesCROSS BELOW 90 KNOTS GROUNDSPEEDCAUTION: Crossing a cable in a three-point attitude above 90 knots groundspeed with a centreline store may cause a cable strike. | |
| 07 | Arming AreaHOLD, HANDS VISIBLENOTE: Master Arm stays SAFE until the arming crew has cleared the aircraft. |
PHS 11 - Before Takeoff7 steps
| 01 | CanopyCLOSED AND LOCKED | |
| 02 | Ejection Safety LeverARMED (DOWN)WARNING: The seat is safe until this lever is armed. Confirm it before taking the runway. | |
| 03 | Seat Belt, Harness and G-SuitCONNECTED AND SECURE | |
| 04 | TrimSETNOTE: With asymmetric stores, set roll trim before takeoff to prevent wing drop. | |
| 05 | SpeedbrakesCLOSED | |
| 06 | Engine InstrumentsCHECKED, NORMAL | |
| 07 | Takeoff and Rotation SpeedsCOMPUTEDNOTE: Rotation is initiated 10 knots below computed takeoff speed for a non-afterburner takeoff, or 15 knots below for an afterburner takeoff. |
PHS 12 - Takeoff9 steps
| 01 | ThrottleIDLENOTE: Check oil pressure at idle to compute the target for the required rise on advancing to MIL or MAX. | |
| 02 | ThrottleADVANCE TO APPROXIMATELY 90% RPMNOTE: 90 percent is the GE100 / GE129 figure. The PW220 and PW229 jets use 80 and 85 percent and do not apply to the Block 50. | |
| 03 | Parking BrakeVERIFY DISENGAGED | |
| 04 | Engine InstrumentsCHECKED, NORMAL INDICATIONS | |
| 05 | BrakesRELEASE BEFORE EXCEEDING 90% RPM | |
| 06 | ThrottleADVANCE TO DESIRED THRUSTNOTE: At MIL, normal GE100 / GE129 operation shows a nozzle position of 15 percent or less after 5 seconds. | |
| 07 | Afterburner (if used)LIGHT-OFF WITHIN 5 SECONDSCAUTION: Less than 15 seconds spacing behind an aircraft using afterburner raises the chance of an AB blowout or no light from hot gas ingestion.NOTE: Within 5 seconds above 4 degC, or 10 seconds at 4 degC or below. The GE nozzle preopens up to 10 percent beyond the MIL position when AB is selected. | |
| 08 | Rotation8 TO 12 DEGREES NOSE UPWARNING: Do not apply aft stick more than 10 to 15 knots below computed takeoff speed. Early rotation causes overrotation, skipping and increased takeoff distance. | |
| 09 | Landing GearUP WHEN SAFELY AIRBORNEWARNING: Do not rush gear retraction after liftoff. Gear and flap retraction happen together and the lift loss can settle the aircraft back onto the runway.NOTE: Gear must be up and locked before exceeding 300 knots. Trailing edge flaps retract with the gear handle. |
PHS 13 - After Takeoff / Climb9 steps
| 01 | Landing Gear and HandleUP AND LOCKED, LIGHT OUTNOTE: Ensure the handle is fully up. An intermediate handle position retracts the gear but does not lock, and it can drop under g. | |
| 02 | Landing and Taxi LightsOFF | |
| 03 | Climb ScheduleSCHEDULED AIRSPEED, THEN MACHNOTE: Climb at the scheduled airspeed to the scheduled Mach number, then hold the Mach to the desired altitude. | |
| 04 | FuelQUANTITY, TRANSFER AND BALANCE CHECKEDNOTE: Rotate the FUEL QTY SEL knob and confirm the sum of the pointers agrees with the totalizer. | |
| 05 | FUEL QTY SEL KnobNORMNOTE: NORM is required for automatic forward fuel transfer, the trapped fuel warning, and for the BINGO computation to be based on fuselage fuel. | |
| 06 | Oxygen SystemCHECKED | |
| 07 | Cockpit PressurizationCHECKEDWARNING: The CABIN PRESS caution light does not illuminate until cockpit pressure altitude is above 27,000 ft. | |
| 08 | Engine InstrumentsCHECKED | |
| 09 | HYD PRESS A and BCHECKED |
PHS 14 - Cruise / Transit6 steps
| 01 | Operating Airspeed Below 10,000 ft MSL300 TO 350 KNOTSNOTE: 350 to 400 knots for formation rejoins on departure; 400 to 450 knots as the entry speed for g-awareness exercises. | |
| 02 | Fuel Transfer RateMONITOREDWARNING: Maximum transfer is 18,000 pph from the 300-gallon tank and 30,000 pph from the 370 or 600-gallon tanks. Sustained higher flow depletes fuselage fuel and can flame the engine out with external fuel remaining. | |
| 03 | Fuel BalanceCHECKED AT INTERVALS | |
| 04 | Negative G FlightLIMITEDNOTE: With both reservoir tanks full, negative g is limited to 10 seconds in afterburner and 30 seconds at MIL thrust or below. | |
| 05 | Engine Instruments and SystemsCHECKED AT INTERVALS | |
| 06 | Air Refueling Speed (if tasked)310 KNOTS AT 30,000 FTNOTE: Standard cruise and air refuelling speed unless specifically directed otherwise. |
PHS 15 - Descent / Approach7 steps
| 01 | FuelQUANTITY, TRANSFER AND BALANCE CHECKED | |
| 02 | Final Approach AirspeedCOMPUTED | |
| 03 | Landing LightON | |
| 04 | AltimeterSET, ELECT VS PNEU CROSSCHECKEDWARNING: An erroneous ELECT altitude can display without a CADC caution light or a transfer to PNEU.NOTE: Below 20,000 ft subsonic with under 500 fpm vertical speed, ELECT and PNEU should agree within 270 ft, and ELECT to HUD within 75 ft. | |
| 05 | Attitude ReferencesADI, HUD AND SAI CHECKED | |
| 06 | ANTI ICE SwitchAS REQUIRED | |
| 07 | Initial300 KNOTSNOTE: At the break, retard the throttle and open the speedbrakes as required. |
PHS 16 - Landing8 steps
| 01 | Landing GearDOWN BELOW 300 KNOTSWARNING: Physically confirm the gear handle is fully down. An intermediate position can still give safe indications but is not locked.NOTE: Lowered on the downwind leg and rechecked down during the base turn. | |
| 02 | SpeedbrakesOPEN | |
| 03 | Final Approach11 TO 13 DEGREES AOANOTE: Arrive on final at the computed approach airspeed and AOA. Thrust can be reduced sooner on an 11-degree approach than a 13-degree one. | |
| 04 | Anti-Skid SwitchVERIFY ANTI-SKIDWARNING: A very small movement out of ANTI-SKID engages the parking brake. Landing with the parking brake engaged fails the main tires at touchdown. | |
| 05 | TouchdownREDUCE SINK RATE TO MINIMUM PRACTICALCAUTION: Do not touch down with the brake pedals depressed. A touchdown protection or WOW switch failure can lock the wheels and blow the main tires. | |
| 06 | Aerodynamic BrakingTWO-POINT TO APPROXIMATELY 100 KNOTSCAUTION: Do not exceed 13 degrees AOA. The nozzle, speedbrakes and ventral fins can contact the runway beyond 15 degrees pitch.NOTE: Most effective at 13 degrees AOA; below 11 degrees it is significantly reduced. Effective as low as 80 knots. | |
| 07 | NosewheelFLY TO THE RUNWAYNOTE: Lower to the three-point attitude after decelerating to 100 knots, judged on runway length and condition. | |
| 08 | Wheel BrakesMODERATE TO HEAVY, DECELERATE TO TAXI SPEED |
PHS 17 - After Landing11 steps
| 01 | Parking BrakeDO NOT USE FOR 30 MINUTESWARNING: Parking brake use within 30 minutes of a normal landing can cause residual heat damage and raises the chance of a brake fire. Use chocks or minimum toe pressure. | |
| 02 | Probe Heat SwitchOFF | |
| 03 | ECM PowerOFF | |
| 04 | SpeedbrakesCLOSED | |
| 05 | Ejection Safety LeverSAFE (UP) | |
| 06 | IFF MASTER KnobSTBY | |
| 07 | IFF M-4 CODE SwitchHOLD | |
| 08 | Landing and Taxi LightsAS REQUIRED | |
| 09 | ZEROIZE SwitchAS REQUIRED | |
| 10 | Canopy HandleUPNOTE: Unlocking deflates the canopy seal before the canopy is opened. | |
| 11 | Armament SwitchesOFF, SAFE OR NORMAL |
PHS 18 - Shutdown14 steps
| 01 | EPU Safety PinREQUEST INNOTE: Requested through the comm menu. If the pin is not installed, place the EPU switch OFF before shutdown. | |
| 02 | EGI / INSCHECKED, STEERPOINT SELECTEDNOTE: Velocity VX or VY greater than 5 fps is out of tolerance. | |
| 03 | AVTR Power SwitchUNTHRDNOTE: At least 15 seconds before shutdown so the tapes unthread. | |
| 04 | C and I KnobBACKUP | |
| 05 | TWS SwitchesOFF | |
| 06 | EGI / INS KnobOFFNOTE: The INS needs aircraft power for 10 more seconds to store flight data. | |
| 07 | AvionicsOFFNOTE: HUD thumbwheels, SNSR PWR, AVIONICS POWER, HMCS INT knob and COMM radios. Position the MMC switch OFF last. | |
| 08 | ThrottleOFFWARNING: A post-shutdown tailpipe fire is possible on the GE129. Avoid the inlet and exhaust areas for 5 minutes after shutdown.NOTE: The GE129 needs no oil scavenge shutdown; that step applies to the PW220 only. | |
| 09 | JFS RUN LightCHECKED | |
| 10 | EPU GEN and EPU PMG LightsCONFIRM OFF | |
| 11 | MAIN PWR SwitchOFF BELOW 20% RPMNOTE: On the GE129, delay MAIN PWR OFF until engine rpm decreases through 20 percent so the exhaust nozzle stays open. | |
| 12 | Personal EquipmentDISCONNECT AND STOWNOTE: Oxygen hose, survival kit straps, lapbelt, g-suit hose and vest hose. Use both hands on the g-suit hose. | |
| 13 | Oxygen RegulatorOFF AND 100% | |
| 14 | HUD GlareshieldSTOWED VERTICALLY |