A-4E SkyhawkDCS WORLD Startup Checklist · 117 steps

A-4E Skyhawk

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A-4E Skyhawk
U.S. Navy / Wikimedia CommonsPublic Domain
AttackVietnam Era

AIRCRAFT BRIEF

The Douglas A-4 Skyhawk is a single-seat, single-engine light attack aircraft that served the U.S. Navy and Marines from 1956 through the 1990s. Nicknamed 'Heinemann's Hot Rod' after its designer Ed Heinemann, it was designed to be half the Navy's specified weight limit while delivering a nuclear weapon. Over 2,960 were built, and it served as the primary adversary aircraft at TOPGUN for decades.

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Startup Walkthrough

SPECIFICATIONS

manufacturerDouglas Aircraft (now Boeing)
first Flight1954
roleLight attack aircraft
crew1 pilot
engines1x P&W J52-P-8A (9,300 lbf)
max Speed1,077 km/h (582 kts)
range3,220 km (1,740 nmi)
ceiling42,250 ft
weight11,113 kg (MTOW)
PHS 1 — Pre-Flight Planning8 steps
01Mission BriefNOTE: Review mission type, objectives, ROE, and threat environment.REVIEWED
02Weather BriefingNOTE: Check departure, target area, and recovery weather.REVIEWED
03NOTAMs / AirspaceNOTE: Check restricted areas and airspace restrictions.REVIEWED
04Fuel Planning - BingoNOTE: Calculate minimum fuel for return. Small airframe - limited fuel capacity.SET
05Stores / LoadoutNOTE: Confirm bombs, rockets, Sidewinders, and external tanks on 5 hardpoints.VERIFIED
06Waypoints / NavigationNOTE: Prepare headings and distances. SHARS nav system requires manual updates.PREPARED
07Radio Frequencies / IFFNOTE: Set UHF presets and IFF/SIF codes.SET
08Divert BasesNOTE: Know nearest divert fields, runway lengths, and approach frequencies.IDENTIFIED
PHS 2 — Electrical / Pre-Start7 steps
01ThrottleOFF
02Parking BrakeSET
03Battery SwitchON
04External PowerNOTE: Comm menu - request ground power.REQUEST from ground crew
05Generator SwitchON
06Fuel ShutoffOPEN
07Fuel QuantityCHECK - Adequate
PHS 3 — Engine Start7 steps
01Engine Start SwitchNOTE: J52-P-8A turbojet begins spool.START
02RPMMONITOR - Rising
03EGTWARNING: EGT must not exceed 600°C during start.MONITOR
04ThrottleCAUTION: Advance gently to IDLE.IDLE (when RPM >10%)
05Engine StabilizeCHECK - ~55% RPM at idle
06Oil PressureCHECK - Normal
07External PowerNOTE: Request ground crew disconnect power.DISCONNECT
PHS 4 — Post-Start / Systems9 steps
01GeneratorVERIFY ON
02Hydraulic PressureCHECK - Normal
03Flight ControlsCYCLE - Stick and rudder full travel
04FlapsCHECK - Cycle and return to UP
05Speed BrakeCHECK - Extend and retract
06SlatsCHECK - Cycle
07SpoilersCHECK
08TrimSET - Takeoff
09NWSON
PHS 5 — Avionics / Navigation10 steps
01Gyro / CompassSET heading
02AltimeterSET - Field elevation
03Radar AltimeterON
04APN-153 Doppler NavNOTE: Navigation computer - if installed.ON
05BDHI (Bearing Distance)CHECK
06Radio (UHF)SET frequency
07TACANSET channel
08IFF / TransponderSET
09GunsightNOTE: AN/ASG-19 or CCIP computer.ON - Set mode
10Master ArmSAFE
PHS 6 — Before Taxi6 steps
01CanopyCLOSE & LOCK
02Ejection SeatWARNING: Verify canopy locked before arming.ARM
03Taxi LightON
04Anti-Collision LightON
05Parking BrakeRELEASE
06BrakesCHECK
PHS 7 — Taxi5 steps
01NWSCHECK responsive
02Taxi SpeedSAFE - max 10 kts
03InstrumentsCHECK during taxi
04Flight ControlsFREE & CORRECT
05BrakesCHECK
PHS 8 — Before Takeoff8 steps
01CanopyCONFIRM LOCKED
02Ejection SeatCONFIRM ARMED
03FlapsNOTE: Half flaps for field takeoff.SET - Half for takeoff
04TrimSET - Takeoff
05AltimeterSET - Field elevation
06Strobe LightsON
07Fuel QuantityCHECK - Adequate
08Master ArmSAFE
PHS 9 — Takeoff9 steps
01Lineup on RunwayCENTERLINE
02BrakesHOLD
03ThrottleNOTE: No afterburner on A-4E.FULL POWER (100%)
04BrakesRELEASE
05NWSMAINTAIN centerline
06RotationROTATE at 130–140 kts
07Positive ClimbCONFIRMED
08Landing GearUP
09FlapsRETRACT (above 180 kts)
PHS 10 — After Takeoff / Climb6 steps
01Landing GearCONFIRM UP
02FlapsCONFIRM RETRACTED
03AirspeedACCELERATE to 250 kts
04AltimeterCHECK
05Taxi / Landing LightsOFF
06Climb AltitudeAS ASSIGNED
PHS 11 — Cruise / Transit6 steps
01AltitudeAT assigned level
02AirspeedNOTE: Max 565 kts. Cruise ~400 kts.AS REQUIRED
03Fuel StateNOTE: A-4E has limited fuel - monitor closely.MONITOR
04NavigationCHECK - BDHI, TACAN
05Engine InstrumentsSCAN - RPM, EGT, oil
06TrimADJUST as needed
PHS 12 — Descent / Approach10 steps
01ATIS / WeatherOBTAINED
02AltimeterSET local QNH
03AirspeedREDUCE below 250 kts
04TACAN / ILSSET and IDENTIFIED
05Approach Speed~135 kts
06Landing GearDOWN (below 200 kts)
07FlapsDOWN
08HookDOWN (carrier only)
09Landing LightON
10Master ArmSAFE
PHS 13 — Landing (Shore)6 steps
01Approach SpeedMAINTAIN ~130 kts
02ThrottleIDLE at touchdown
03NosewheelLOWER gently
04Speed BrakeEXTEND
05BrakingAPPLY
06NWSENGAGE below 80 kts
PHS 14 — After Landing7 steps
01FlapsRETRACT
02Speed BrakeRETRACT
03HookUP
04SpoilersRETRACT
05TransponderSTBY
06Landing LightOFF
07Taxi to ParkingNWS ENGAGED
PHS 15 — Shutdown13 steps
01Parking BrakeSET
02GunsightOFF
03RadioOFF
04TACANOFF
05IFFOFF
06Navigation EquipmentOFF
07Ejection SeatWARNING: Safe seat before ground crew approach.SAFE
08ThrottleOFF
09Fuel ShutoffCLOSED
10GeneratorOFF
11All LightsOFF
12BatteryOFF
13CanopyOPEN