DCS WORLD · Attack
A-10C II Thunderbolt Startup Checklist
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A-10C II Thunderbolt Startup Notes
The Hog starts from its own battery and APU, but the order matters: battery on, inverter to STBY, fuel boost pumps on, then APU start. Bring the APU generator online before anything else - it carries the start and the avionics. Engines light one at a time by moving each throttle from OFF to IDLE, with the starter fed by APU bleed air. Power the CDU and EGI switches early: the full INS alignment takes around four minutes on the CDU.
The trap everyone falls into is forgetting the CDU and EGI switches on the AAP - with them off, no alignment ever starts and EAC will refuse to arm later. Other regulars: starting engines before the APU generator is online, leaving the APU and its generator running after both engine generators are up, and skipping the pitch and yaw SAS. Wait for INS NAV RDY to flash, select NAV, arm EAC, and only then call yourself ready.
Common mistakes
- Leaving CDU and EGI switches off, so no alignment starts
- Forgetting to engage pitch and yaw SAS
- Leaving the APU running after both generators are online
Related Aircraft
Pilot Tools for This Flight
FLIGHT2.0Checklist
A-10C II ThunderboltDCS WORLD · Startup Checklist · 128 steps · 14 phases
PHS 1 — Pre-Flight Planning8 steps
| 01 | Mission BriefREVIEWEDNOTE: Review CAS mission, JTAC contact info, FAC procedures, and ROE. | |
| 02 | Weather BriefingREVIEWEDNOTE: Check departure, target area, and recovery weather. Low-level ops require good visibility. | |
| 03 | NOTAMs / AirspaceREVIEWEDNOTE: Check restricted areas, active MOAs, and NOTAM restrictions. | |
| 04 | Fuel Planning - Bingo / JokerSETNOTE: Calculate bingo and joker fuel. Low-altitude ops increase fuel burn significantly. | |
| 05 | Stores / LoadoutVERIFIEDNOTE: Confirm ordnance, Maverick variants, pods (TGP/ECM), and gun ammo count. | |
| 06 | Steerpoints / CDUPROGRAMMEDNOTE: Enter steerpoints, mark points, and target coordinates in CDU. | |
| 07 | Radio Frequencies / IFFSETNOTE: Set UHF/VHF/FM presets. Note JTAC and flight frequencies. Confirm IFF codes. | |
| 08 | Divert BasesIDENTIFIEDNOTE: Know nearest divert fields, runway lengths, and approach frequencies. |
PHS 2 — Electrical Power7 steps
| 01 | Battery PowerON | |
| 02 | InverterSTBY | |
| 03 | APU StartPRESSNOTE: Hold APU start button until APU spools up. | |
| 04 | APU GeneratorON (wait for stable) | |
| 05 | Left AC/DC GeneratorPWR | |
| 06 | Right AC/DC GeneratorPWR | |
| 07 | InverterNORM |
PHS 3 — Before Engine Start7 steps
| 01 | Fuel SystemCHECK — Boost Pumps ON (Both Wings) | |
| 02 | CICUONNOTE: Central Interface Control Unit — must be ON before IFFCC. | |
| 03 | IFFCCON (wait for self-test) | |
| 04 | CDUON — Wait for alignmentNOTE: EGI alignment takes ~4-8 minutes. | |
| 05 | CMSPON | |
| 06 | OxygenON — CHECK FLOW | |
| 07 | Seat ArmARMEDCAUTION: Ensure canopy is clear before arming seat. |
PHS 4 — Engine Start9 steps
| 01 | Throttle (Left)OFF | |
| 02 | Left Engine Start ButtonPRESSNOTE: Monitor ITT — light-off around 15% N2. | |
| 03 | Left ThrottleIDLE (at 55% N2)WARNING: Hot start if ITT exceeds 870°C — abort by cutting throttle. | |
| 04 | Left EngineSTABILIZE — Check oil pressure, RPM | |
| 05 | Right Engine Start ButtonPRESS | |
| 06 | Right ThrottleIDLE (at 55% N2) | |
| 07 | Right EngineSTABILIZE | |
| 08 | APU GeneratorOFF | |
| 09 | APUOFF |
PHS 5 — Post-Start / Taxi14 steps
| 01 | Hydraulic PressureCHECK (both systems green) | |
| 02 | Flight ControlsCYCLE & CHECKCAUTION: Full stick and rudder — verify correct deflection. | |
| 03 | TrimSET TAKEOFF | |
| 04 | FlapsMVR (Maneuver/Takeoff) | |
| 05 | Speed BrakeCHECK & RETRACT | |
| 06 | TACANSET | |
| 07 | UHF/VHF RadiosSET FREQUENCIES | |
| 08 | AltimeterSET QNH / QFE | |
| 09 | HSI HeadingSET | |
| 10 | Anti-SkidON | |
| 11 | NWSON | |
| 12 | CanopyCLOSE & LOCK | |
| 13 | Parking BrakeRELEASE | |
| 14 | Taxi LightON |
PHS 6 — Taxi5 steps
| 01 | BrakesCHECK during first movementNOTE: Tap brakes briefly to verify response. | |
| 02 | NWSCHECK — responsive | |
| 03 | InstrumentsCHECK during taxiNOTE: HSI heading, attitude indicator — should track turns. | |
| 04 | Engine InstrumentsMONITORNOTE: ITT, RPM, oil pressure — both engines normal. | |
| 05 | Taxi SpeedSAFE SPEEDCAUTION: Keep slow on ramp and taxiways. |
PHS 7 — Before Takeoff15 steps
| 01 | Ejection SeatCONFIRM ARMEDWARNING: Verify canopy closed. | |
| 02 | CanopyCONFIRM CLOSED & LOCKED | |
| 03 | FlapsMVR (maneuver/takeoff) | |
| 04 | TrimSET for takeoff | |
| 05 | Speed BrakeRETRACTED | |
| 06 | NWSENGAGED | |
| 07 | Anti-SkidON | |
| 08 | Pitot HeatON | |
| 09 | AltimeterSET QNH | |
| 10 | TACANSET and verified | |
| 11 | Lights — TaxiON | |
| 12 | Lights — LandingON | |
| 13 | Lights — StrobeONNOTE: Position/anti-collision as required. | |
| 14 | IFFCCVERIFY operational | |
| 15 | Fuel QuantityCHECKNOTE: Verify adequate for mission. |
PHS 8 — Takeoff10 steps
| 01 | Lineup on RunwayCENTERLINE | |
| 02 | BrakesHOLD | |
| 03 | ThrottlesADVANCE to 90% RPMCAUTION: Wipe controls before releasing brakes.NOTE: Check both engines match. | |
| 04 | BrakesRELEASE | |
| 05 | ThrottlesMAX POWER | |
| 06 | NWSMAINTAIN centerline | |
| 07 | At 120 KIASROTATENOTE: Gentle backstick, lift off ~130 KIAS. Takeoff speed varies with weight and stores. | |
| 08 | Positive ClimbCONFIRMED | |
| 09 | Landing GearUPNOTE: Gear speed limit 250 KIAS. | |
| 10 | FlapsUP (above 150 KIAS) |
PHS 9 — After Takeoff / Climb7 steps
| 01 | Landing GearCONFIRM UP | |
| 02 | FlapsCONFIRM UP | |
| 03 | AltimeterCHECK | |
| 04 | Airspeed250 KIAS climbNOTE: Or as required for departure. | |
| 05 | PowerSET for climb | |
| 06 | Lights — TaxiOFF | |
| 07 | TrimADJUST as needed |
PHS 10 — Cruise / Transit7 steps
| 01 | AltitudeAT assigned level | |
| 02 | PowerSET cruise (~85% RPM)NOTE: A-10C typical cruise 250-300 KIAS. | |
| 03 | Fuel StateMONITORNOTE: Check quantity and balance, crossfeed if needed. | |
| 04 | AutopilotENGAGE (if desired)NOTE: ALT HOLD, HDG HOLD, ATT HOLD available. | |
| 05 | NavigationCHECK CDU/EGI waypoints | |
| 06 | TACANCHECK bearing and range | |
| 07 | SystemsMONITORNOTE: Check engine temps, hydraulics, electrical. |
PHS 11 — Descent / Approach9 steps
| 01 | ATIS / Field InformationOBTAINED | |
| 02 | AltimeterSET local QNH | |
| 03 | Approach BriefingCOMPLETEDNOTE: Review approach plate, minimums, missed approach. | |
| 04 | TACAN / ILSSET and IDENTIFIED | |
| 05 | AirspeedREDUCE for pattern entryNOTE: 200 KIAS typical pattern speed. | |
| 06 | Landing LightON | |
| 07 | GearDOWN (below 250 KIAS) | |
| 08 | FlapsMVR (or DN for full flaps in pattern) | |
| 09 | Speed BrakeAS REQUIRED |
PHS 12 — Landing7 steps
| 01 | Final Approach Speed130-140 KIASCAUTION: Do not get slow — A-10 has high sink rate at low speed.NOTE: Adjust for weight and stores. | |
| 02 | FlapsDN (full)NOTE: For short field, use full flaps. | |
| 03 | TouchdownMAIN GEAR firstNOTE: Hold attitude, lower nose gently. | |
| 04 | Speed BrakeEXTEND | |
| 05 | ThrottlesIDLE | |
| 06 | BrakingAPPLY as requiredNOTE: Differential braking for directional control. | |
| 07 | NWSENGAGED when slow |
PHS 13 — After Landing7 steps
| 01 | FlapsUP | |
| 02 | Speed BrakeRETRACT | |
| 03 | Landing LightOFF | |
| 04 | StrobeOFF (as required) | |
| 05 | Taxi LightON | |
| 06 | TransponderSTBY | |
| 07 | Taxi to ParkingNWS ENGAGED |
PHS 14 — Shutdown16 steps
| 01 | Parking BrakeSET | |
| 02 | Throttle (Left)OFF | |
| 03 | Throttle (Right)OFF | |
| 04 | Ejection SeatSAFEWARNING: Safe the seat before ground crew approaches. | |
| 05 | IFFCCOFF | |
| 06 | CICUOFF | |
| 07 | CDUOFF | |
| 08 | CMSPOFF | |
| 09 | OxygenOFF | |
| 10 | CanopyOPEN | |
| 11 | Fuel Boost PumpsOFF | |
| 12 | InverterSTBY | |
| 13 | APU GeneratorOFF | |
| 14 | Generators (L & R)OFF | |
| 15 | APUOFF | |
| 16 | BatteryOFF |