DCS WORLD · Rotary
AH-64D Apache Startup Checklist
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FLIGHT2.0Checklist
AH-64D ApacheDCS WORLD · Startup Checklist · 136 steps · 20 phases
PHS 1 — Pre-Flight Planning8 steps
| 01 | Mission BriefREVIEWEDNOTE: Review mission type, battle positions, engagement area, and threat environment. | |
| 02 | Weather BriefingREVIEWEDNOTE: Check departure, operating area, and recovery weather. Ceiling affects NOE operations. | |
| 03 | NOTAMs / AirspaceREVIEWEDNOTE: Check restricted areas, active fire support coordination measures, and airspace restrictions. | |
| 04 | Fuel PlanningCALCULATEDNOTE: Plan fuel for mission duration plus 20-minute reserve. Low-level ops increase fuel burn. | |
| 05 | Weight & Balance / StoresWITHIN LIMITSCAUTION: Account for Hellfires, rockets, 30mm ammo, and fuel. CG shifts as ordnance is expended. | |
| 06 | Performance PlanningCHECKEDNOTE: Check density altitude for hover performance. Max gross weight limited by conditions. | |
| 07 | Route / Battle PositionsREVIEWEDNOTE: Review ingress/egress routes, battle positions, FARP locations, and alternate LZs. | |
| 08 | Radio Frequencies / DatalinkSETNOTE: Set UHF/VHF/FM presets, IDM net, and Longbow datalink settings. Confirm IFF codes. |
PHS 2 — Before Start (PLT)5 steps
| 01 | Power Lever (Both)OFF | |
| 02 | Parking BrakeSET | |
| 03 | Master Zeroize SwitchOFF | |
| 04 | Battery SwitchONNOTE: Left console - flip guard, switch to BATT. | |
| 05 | Master Caution / WarningCHECK - Acknowledge and reset |
PHS 3 — APU Start5 steps
| 01 | APU Button GuardOPEN | |
| 02 | APU ButtonPRESSNOTE: APU takes ~30 seconds to spool up. | |
| 03 | APUMONITOR - Wait for ON indicationCAUTION: Wait for APU fully online before proceeding. | |
| 04 | APU GeneratorON - Verify power available | |
| 05 | Utility HydraulicsCHECK - Pressure indication |
PHS 4 — DMS / Data Setup6 steps
| 01 | MPD (Both)ON - Displays power up | |
| 02 | KU (Keyboard Unit)ON | |
| 03 | DMS SweepRUN - Press TSD on MPDNOTE: Data Management System initializes avionics. Wait for completion. | |
| 04 | EUFD (Up Front Display)CHECK - Verify no faults | |
| 05 | Preset TuningSET - UHF, VHF, FM frequencies | |
| 06 | IFF / TransponderSET |
PHS 5 — IHADSS Boresight4 steps
| 01 | IHADSS PowerONNOTE: Integrated Helmet And Display Sighting System. | |
| 02 | HDU (Helmet Display Unit)ON - Check monocle image | |
| 03 | Boresight ReticleALIGN - Center on reference pointNOTE: Use boresight adjust knobs. Cross-hairs on the boresight target. | |
| 04 | IHADSS BoresightCONFIRM - Image stable and centered |
PHS 6 — Engine Start9 steps
| 01 | Area ClearCHECK - Clear all sidesWARNING: Ensure ground personnel are clear of rotor arc. | |
| 02 | Engine 1 (Left) Power LeverIDLENOTE: Move power lever from OFF to IDLE. | |
| 03 | Engine 1 StartMONITOR - Ng, TGT, oil pressureWARNING: TGT must not exceed 851°C during start. Abort if no rise within 30 sec. | |
| 04 | Engine 1 IdleSTABILIZE - Ng ~63%, TGT below 400°C | |
| 05 | Engine 2 (Right) Power LeverIDLE | |
| 06 | Engine 2 StartMONITOR - Ng, TGT, oil pressure | |
| 07 | Engine 2 IdleSTABILIZE - Ng ~63%, TGT below 400°C | |
| 08 | APUOFF (after both engines stable)NOTE: Engines now provide electrical and hydraulic power. | |
| 09 | Rotor RPMMONITOR - Nr comes to 101%NOTE: Rotor engages automatically. Wait for Nr 101%. |
PHS 7 — After Start / Systems9 steps
| 01 | Power Levers (Both)FLYCAUTION: Advance to FLY detent only after Nr reaches 101%. | |
| 02 | Nr (Rotor RPM)CHECK - 101% ±1% | |
| 03 | Engine InstrumentsCHECK - Both in limitsNOTE: TGT, Ng, oil pressure and temperature. | |
| 04 | Hydraulic PressureCHECK - Primary and utility | |
| 05 | Generator SwitchesON (Both) | |
| 06 | StabilatorAUTO | |
| 07 | Flight ControlsCHECK - Cyclic, collective, pedals full travelNOTE: Move all controls to verify free and correct. | |
| 08 | TrimCHECK - Force trim ON | |
| 09 | FMC / Backup ChannelCHECK - No faults on EUFD |
PHS 8 — Navigation Setup6 steps
| 01 | EGI (GPS/INS)ALIGNNOTE: Embedded GPS/INS alignment. Takes ~90 seconds. | |
| 02 | DopplerON | |
| 03 | TSD (Tactical Situation Display)CHECK - Ownship position | |
| 04 | Waypoints / RouteENTER or verify via KU | |
| 05 | RLGR / Radar AltimeterON - Set low alt warning | |
| 06 | AltimeterSET - Field elevation / QNH |
PHS 9 — Weapons Setup (CPG)7 steps
| 01 | TADS PowerONNOTE: Target Acquisition Designation Sight. | |
| 02 | TADSCHECK - FLIR, DTV, LaserNOTE: Verify TADS imagery on MPD. | |
| 03 | Laser TrackerSET - Codes and LRFD | |
| 04 | FCR (Fire Control Radar)ON - via MMA pageNOTE: Longbow radar - if equipped. | |
| 05 | Weapons PageCHECK - Rocket/missile/gun inventory | |
| 06 | Gun (M230)SET - Burst limit, rateNOTE: 30mm chain gun - CPG has primary control. | |
| 07 | Master ArmSAFENOTE: Keep safe until weapons employment required. |
PHS 10 — Before Taxi5 steps
| 01 | Parking BrakeRELEASE | |
| 02 | NVS ModeSET (if night ops)NOTE: PNVS provides pilot FLIR image. | |
| 03 | Anti-Collision LightON | |
| 04 | Position LightsAS REQUIRED | |
| 05 | EUFDCHECK - No faults |
PHS 11 — Hover / Taxi6 steps
| 01 | Area ClearCHECK - Clear all sides | |
| 02 | CollectiveRAISE smoothlyCAUTION: Monitor torque - do not exceed limits. | |
| 03 | PedalsMAINTAIN headingNOTE: Left pedal to counter main rotor torque. | |
| 04 | Hover Height5–10 ft AGL | |
| 05 | Engine InstrumentsCHECK - Both engines matched | |
| 06 | Taxi SpeedWALKING PACE - Ground taxi or hover taxi |
PHS 12 — Before Takeoff6 steps
| 01 | Engine InstrumentsCHECK - All green | |
| 02 | Fuel QuantityCHECK - Adequate | |
| 03 | EUFDCLEAR - No faults | |
| 04 | RadiosSET - Contact ATC | |
| 05 | WeaponsSAFE for takeoff | |
| 06 | TADS / PNVSSTOWED or as required |
PHS 13 — Takeoff6 steps
| 01 | CollectiveINCREASE to climb power | |
| 02 | CyclicFORWARD - Accelerate through ETLNOTE: Effective translational lift at ~16–24 kts. | |
| 03 | PedalsCOORDINATE - Maintain balanced flight | |
| 04 | Climb Speed60–80 ktsNOTE: Best climb speed for Apache. | |
| 05 | Climb Rate500–1,500 ft/min | |
| 06 | TorqueMONITOR - Stay within limits |
PHS 14 — Climb4 steps
| 01 | Airspeed60–80 kts Vy | |
| 02 | Engine InstrumentsMONITOR - TGT, Ng, torque | |
| 03 | AltimeterCHECK - Set QNH or STD | |
| 04 | Radar AltimeterMONITOR |
PHS 15 — Cruise / Transit8 steps
| 01 | AltitudeAT assigned level | |
| 02 | Airspeed120–140 kts (cruise)NOTE: Max VNE 197 kts. Normal cruise 120–140 kts. | |
| 03 | TorqueCRUISE - Matched engines | |
| 04 | Fuel StateMONITOR - Check quantity and endurance | |
| 05 | Navigation (TSD)CHECK - Waypoints, route | |
| 06 | StabilatorCHECK AUTO - Proper response | |
| 07 | Radios / CommsMONITOR | |
| 08 | TADS / FCRAS REQUIRED for mission |
PHS 16 — Descent5 steps
| 01 | Airspeed100–120 kts descent | |
| 02 | CollectiveREDUCE for descentCAUTION: Avoid rapid collective reduction - may cause Nr droop. | |
| 03 | Rate of Descent300–500 ft/min | |
| 04 | AltimeterSET - Local QNH | |
| 05 | Landing ZoneIDENTIFY - Obstacles, wind, approach path |
PHS 17 — Approach6 steps
| 01 | AirspeedREDUCE - Decelerate to 60–80 kts | |
| 02 | Approach AngleMAINTAIN - Constant approach | |
| 03 | CollectiveMANAGE - Control descent rate | |
| 04 | Landing LightON (if required) | |
| 05 | DecelerateAFT CYCLIC - Reduce to hover speed | |
| 06 | PedalsCOORDINATE heading |
PHS 18 — Landing8 steps
| 01 | HoverESTABLISH at 5–10 ft AGL | |
| 02 | Landing Zone ClearCHECK - Final scan | |
| 03 | CollectiveSLOWLY LOWER | |
| 04 | TouchdownWHEELS on ground - Level attitude | |
| 05 | CollectiveFULL DOWN after stable | |
| 06 | CyclicNEUTRAL | |
| 07 | PedalsNEUTRAL | |
| 08 | Parking BrakeSET |
PHS 19 — After Landing6 steps
| 01 | Master ArmSAFE | |
| 02 | WeaponsSAFE all stations | |
| 03 | FCRSTBY | |
| 04 | TADSSTOW | |
| 05 | Landing LightOFF | |
| 06 | TransponderSTBY |
PHS 20 — Shutdown17 steps
| 01 | CollectiveFULL DOWN | |
| 02 | Power Levers (Both)IDLENOTE: Allow 2-minute cool-down at idle. | |
| 03 | TADSOFF | |
| 04 | FCROFF | |
| 05 | IHADSSOFF | |
| 06 | RadiosOFF | |
| 07 | Navigation / EGIOFF | |
| 08 | Radar AltimeterOFF | |
| 09 | Power Lever - Engine 1OFF | |
| 10 | Power Lever - Engine 2OFF | |
| 11 | Nr (Rotor RPM)MONITOR - Wait for spool-downWARNING: Stay clear of rotor arc until blades stop completely. | |
| 12 | Generator SwitchesOFF | |
| 13 | MPD (Both)OFF | |
| 14 | KUOFF | |
| 15 | Anti-Collision / Position LightsOFF | |
| 16 | Battery SwitchOFF | |
| 17 | Parking BrakeSET |