DCS WORLD · Attack
AV-8B Harrier II Startup Checklist
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FLIGHT2.0Checklist
AV-8B Harrier IIDCS WORLD · Startup Checklist · 131 steps · 16 phases
PHS 1 — Pre-Flight Planning8 steps
| 01 | Mission BriefREVIEWEDNOTE: Review mission type, objectives, ROE, and threat environment. | |
| 02 | Weather BriefingREVIEWEDNOTE: Check departure, target area, and recovery weather. Wind critical for VSTOL ops. | |
| 03 | NOTAMs / AirspaceREVIEWEDNOTE: Check restricted areas and airspace restrictions. | |
| 04 | Fuel Planning - Bingo / JokerSETNOTE: Calculate bingo and joker fuel. VSTOL ops burn significantly more fuel - plan accordingly. | |
| 05 | Stores / LoadoutVERIFIEDNOTE: Confirm weapons, pods, and external tanks. Check CG limits with stores - critical for hover. | |
| 06 | Waypoints / NavigationPROGRAMMEDNOTE: Enter waypoints and target coordinates. | |
| 07 | Radio Frequencies / IFFSETNOTE: Set UHF/VHF presets and IFF codes. | |
| 08 | Divert Bases / FARPIDENTIFIEDNOTE: Know nearest divert fields and Forward Arming and Refueling Points. |
PHS 2 — Electrical / Pre-Start7 steps
| 01 | ThrottleOFF | |
| 02 | Parking BrakeSET | |
| 03 | Nozzle LeverFULL AFT (0°)NOTE: Nozzles pointing aft for conventional flight. | |
| 04 | Battery SwitchON | |
| 05 | External PowerCONNECT (if available) | |
| 06 | GeneratorON | |
| 07 | Fuel ShutoffON |
PHS 3 — Engine Start7 steps
| 01 | H2O Mode SwitchOFF | |
| 02 | Engine Start ButtonPRESSNOTE: Pegasus engine starts - monitor JPT. | |
| 03 | JPT (Jet Pipe Temp)MONITORWARNING: JPT must not exceed 675°C during start. Abort if exceeded. | |
| 04 | RPMMONITOR - Rising | |
| 05 | ThrottleIDLE (when RPM >15%)CAUTION: Advance to IDLE only after RPM indication. | |
| 06 | Engine StabilizeCHECK - ~55% RPM at idle, JPT below 500°C | |
| 07 | External PowerDISCONNECT |
PHS 4 — Post-Start / Systems10 steps
| 01 | GeneratorVERIFY ON | |
| 02 | Hydraulic PressureCHECK - Normal | |
| 03 | Flight ControlsCYCLE - Stick and rudderNOTE: Nozzles at 0° for control check. | |
| 04 | Reaction Control SystemCHECK - Verify puffersNOTE: RCS provides control authority in hover/VSTOL. | |
| 05 | Nozzle LeverCYCLE - Check nozzle rotationCAUTION: Verify nozzles move smoothly through full range. | |
| 06 | FlapsCHECK - Cycle and return | |
| 07 | Speed BrakeCHECK - Extend and retract | |
| 08 | TrimSET - Takeoff | |
| 09 | NWSON | |
| 10 | Anti-SkidON |
PHS 5 — INS / Avionics14 steps
| 01 | INS KnobGND ALIGNNOTE: Full alignment ~8 minutes. Carrier align available. | |
| 02 | INS StatusMONITOR - Wait for NAV ready | |
| 03 | INS KnobNAV (when aligned) | |
| 04 | HUDON - Brightness as required | |
| 05 | MPCD / MFDON | |
| 06 | ODU (Option Display Unit)CHECK | |
| 07 | Radar (APG-65)STBYNOTE: Allow warm-up time. | |
| 08 | RWR (ALR-67)ON | |
| 09 | CMDS (ALE-39)ON - Set program | |
| 10 | IFF / TransponderSET | |
| 11 | Radios (UHF / VHF)SET frequencies | |
| 12 | TACANSET channel | |
| 13 | AltimeterSET - Field elevation | |
| 14 | DMT (Dual Mode Tracker)ON (if targeting pod equipped) |
PHS 6 — Before Taxi8 steps
| 01 | CanopyCLOSE & LOCK | |
| 02 | Ejection SeatARMWARNING: Verify canopy locked. | |
| 03 | VSTOL Master ModeSET (for vertical/short takeoff)NOTE: Select STO or VSTOL mode as required. | |
| 04 | FlapsSTO positionNOTE: Set for short takeoff - STOL flap setting. | |
| 05 | TrimSET - 0° rudder, 0° aileron, 4° nose down | |
| 06 | Taxi LightON | |
| 07 | Anti-Collision LightON | |
| 08 | Parking BrakeRELEASE |
PHS 7 — Taxi5 steps
| 01 | NWSCHECK responsive | |
| 02 | Taxi SpeedSAFE - max 10 kts | |
| 03 | Nozzle LeverCHECK - Full aft (0°) | |
| 04 | InstrumentsCHECK during taxi | |
| 05 | BrakesCHECK |
PHS 8 — Before Takeoff (STO)7 steps
| 01 | Nozzle AngleSET - ~50° (short takeoff)NOTE: STO nozzle setting for rolling takeoff. | |
| 02 | Water InjectionSET - TO mode (if required)NOTE: H2O provides additional thrust for takeoff. | |
| 03 | FlapsSTO | |
| 04 | TrimVERIFY - 4° nose down stabilator | |
| 05 | Fuel QuantityCHECK - Adequate | |
| 06 | Master ArmSAFE | |
| 07 | Strobe LightsON |
PHS 9 — Takeoff (Short Takeoff)10 steps
| 01 | Lineup on RunwayCENTERLINE | |
| 02 | BrakesHOLD | |
| 03 | ThrottleFULL POWERNOTE: Nozzles at ~50° provide both lift and thrust. | |
| 04 | BrakesRELEASE | |
| 05 | At 80–100 ktsROTATE - Slight aft stick | |
| 06 | Positive ClimbCONFIRMED | |
| 07 | Landing GearUP | |
| 08 | Nozzle LeverSLOWLY rotate AFT (0°)CAUTION: Transition smoothly - do not slam nozzles aft. | |
| 09 | FlapsRETRACT (above 180 kts) | |
| 10 | Water InjectionOFF |
PHS 10 — After Takeoff / Climb6 steps
| 01 | Landing GearCONFIRM UP | |
| 02 | NozzlesCONFIRM 0° (full aft) | |
| 03 | AirspeedACCELERATE to 300 kts | |
| 04 | AltimeterCHECK | |
| 05 | Taxi / Landing LightsOFF | |
| 06 | Climb AltitudeAS ASSIGNED |
PHS 11 — Cruise / Transit7 steps
| 01 | AltitudeAT assigned level | |
| 02 | AirspeedAS REQUIREDNOTE: Max speed ~575 kts. Cruise ~400 kts. | |
| 03 | AutopilotENGAGE (if desired) | |
| 04 | Fuel StateMONITORNOTE: Harrier has limited range - watch fuel closely. | |
| 05 | NavigationCHECK waypoints | |
| 06 | RadarAS REQUIRED | |
| 07 | RWR / CMDSMONITOR |
PHS 12 — Descent / Approach9 steps
| 01 | ATIS / WeatherOBTAINED | |
| 02 | AltimeterSET local QNH | |
| 03 | AirspeedREDUCE below 300 kts | |
| 04 | Landing ModeSELECT - VSTOL or conventional | |
| 05 | Nozzle LeverSET for approach (if VSTOL)NOTE: Slowly rotate nozzles forward for deceleration. | |
| 06 | Landing GearDOWN (below 210 kts) | |
| 07 | FlapsDOWN | |
| 08 | Landing LightON | |
| 09 | Master ArmSAFE |
PHS 13 — Landing (Conventional)5 steps
| 01 | Approach Speed~130 ktsNOTE: Conventional approach speed. | |
| 02 | ThrottleIDLE at touchdown | |
| 03 | NosewheelLOWER gently | |
| 04 | BrakingAPPLY | |
| 05 | NWSENGAGE |
PHS 14 — Landing (Vertical)8 steps
| 01 | Nozzle Lever~80° (braking stop)NOTE: Decelerate to hover. | |
| 02 | AirspeedREDUCE to hover - below 40 kts | |
| 03 | Nozzle Lever90° (full down - hover)NOTE: Nozzles straight down for hover. | |
| 04 | ThrottleMANAGE - Control descent rate | |
| 05 | RCSACTIVE - Puffers control attitudeCAUTION: Avoid rapid or large control inputs in hover. | |
| 06 | DescentSLOW - 2–3 ft/sec max | |
| 07 | TouchdownGEAR on deck - Level attitude | |
| 08 | ThrottleIDLE after stable on deck |
PHS 15 — After Landing5 steps
| 01 | Nozzle LeverFULL AFT (0°) | |
| 02 | FlapsRETRACT | |
| 03 | RadarSTBY | |
| 04 | TransponderSTBY | |
| 05 | Landing LightOFF |
PHS 16 — Shutdown15 steps
| 01 | Parking BrakeSET | |
| 02 | RadarOFF | |
| 03 | RWROFF | |
| 04 | CMDSOFF | |
| 05 | RadiosOFF | |
| 06 | TACANOFF | |
| 07 | IFFOFF | |
| 08 | Ejection SeatSAFEWARNING: Safe seat before ground crew approach. | |
| 09 | ThrottleOFF | |
| 10 | Fuel ShutoffOFF | |
| 11 | GeneratorOFF | |
| 12 | HUD / DisplaysOFF | |
| 13 | All LightsOFF | |
| 14 | BatteryOFF | |
| 15 | CanopyOPEN |