C-130J Super HerculesDCS WORLD Startup Checklist · 138 steps
C-130J Super Hercules
DCS WORLD - 0/138 STEPS
U.S. Air Force / Wikimedia CommonsPublic Domain
TransportModern
AIRCRAFT BRIEF
The Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules first flew on April 5, 1996, as a comprehensive modernisation of the legendary C-130 Hercules family. Powered by four Rolls-Royce AE2100D3 turboprops driving six-bladed Dowty composite propellers, the J-model eliminated the need for a flight engineer and navigator through advanced FADEC and glass cockpit technology. It serves with over 20 nations and remains the premier tactical airlift platform, capable of operating from unpaved forward strips while carrying 92 troops or 45,000 lb of cargo.
RANGE VISUALIZER
SPECIFICATIONS
manufacturerLockheed Martin (ASC simulation)
first Flight1996
roleTactical / strategic military transport
crew3 (2 pilots + 1 loadmaster)
engines4x Rolls-Royce AE2100D3 (4,637 shp each)
max Speed670 km/h (362 kts)
range6,852 km (3,700 nmi) at reduced payload
ceiling28,000 ft (with max payload)
weight70,307 kg (MTOW / 155,000 lb)
PHS 1 — Pre-Flight Planning8 steps
| 01 | Weather Briefing (METAR / TAF / Sigmet)NOTE: Check departure, enroute, and destination weather. Note wind, ceiling, and visibility at landing zone. | REVIEWED | |
| 02 | NOTAMs / Mission BriefNOTE: Review mission objectives, route, threats, ROE, and airspace restrictions. | REVIEWED | |
| 03 | Flight Plan / RouteNOTE: Review waypoints, altitudes, ETAs, and tactical routing for the mission. | PLANNED | |
| 04 | Fuel PlanningNOTE: Calculate fuel for taxi, climb, cruise, and reserves. C-130J burns ~2,400-3,500 lb/hr per engine at cruise. | VERIFIED | |
| 05 | Weight & Balance / Cargo ManifestCAUTION: Verify payload, ZFW, and TOW against limits. MTOW is 155,000 lb (70,307 kg). Check CG for cargo loads. | WITHIN LIMITS | |
| 06 | Performance - Takeoff DataNOTE: Calculate Vr, V2, and takeoff distance based on TOW, pressure altitude, and temperature. | CALCULATED | |
| 07 | Divert BasesNOTE: Identify nearest suitable airfields for emergency diversion. | IDENTIFIED | |
| 08 | Crew BriefingNOTE: Brief crew on mission, roles, emergency procedures, cargo tasks, and comms plan. | COMPLETE |
PHS 2 — Electrical Power Up5 steps
| 01 | Battery Switch | ON | |
| 02 | Battery Voltage | CHECK - minimum 24 V | |
| 03 | External Power (GPU)NOTE: Connect ground power unit before starting APU to preserve battery. | CONNECT (if available) | |
| 04 | AC Inverters | ON | |
| 05 | Essential Avionics Bus | VERIFY powered |
PHS 3 — APU Start5 steps
| 01 | APU Master Switch | ON | |
| 02 | APU Start SwitchNOTE: Hold until APU reaches governed speed (~30-40 sec). Release once running. | CRANK | |
| 03 | APU Generator | ON - verify bus powered | |
| 04 | APU Bleed AirNOTE: Required for engine pneumatic starting. | ON | |
| 05 | External Power | DISCONNECT (if APU running) |
PHS 4 — Avionics / FMS Setup11 steps
| 01 | Avionics Master Switches | ON (sequentially) | |
| 02 | Flight Management System (FMS)NOTE: Allow display units to warm up. Enter mission data. | INITIALIZE | |
| 03 | FMS - Present PositionNOTE: Enter departure airfield coordinates if not auto-populated. | ENTER / VERIFY | |
| 04 | FMS - Flight Plan / WaypointsNOTE: Enter or verify all mission waypoints, altitudes, and airspeeds. | LOADED | |
| 05 | HUD | ON - verify display active | |
| 06 | INS / Navigation AlignmentNOTE: Allow INS to align on ground. Do not move aircraft during alignment. | ALIGNED | |
| 07 | ACAWS (Aircraft Caution and Warning System) | CHECK - no abnormal warnings | |
| 08 | Radios (UHF / VHF) | SET departure frequencies | |
| 09 | Transponder / IFF | SET assigned code - STBY | |
| 10 | Altimeters | SET QNH / field elevation | |
| 11 | Heading Indicator | ALIGNED with magnetic compass |
PHS 5 — Engine Start13 steps
| 01 | Fuel Shutoff Valves - All EnginesNOTE: All four engine fuel cutoff switches OPEN before starting. | OPEN | |
| 02 | Engine Start - #3NOTE: Start inboard engines first. Place Eng 3 start switch to START. | INITIATE | |
| 03 | Engine 3 - TIT / N1CAUTION: Abort start if TIT exceeds 300 C on start or fails to rise within 10 sec. | MONITOR - TIT rising smoothly | |
| 04 | Engine 3 Idle | STABLE - TIT, torque, oil pressure in limits | |
| 05 | Engine Start - #4 | INITIATE | |
| 06 | Engine 4 Idle | STABLE - all parameters normal | |
| 07 | Engine Start - #2 | INITIATE | |
| 08 | Engine 2 Idle | STABLE | |
| 09 | Engine Start - #1 | INITIATE | |
| 10 | Engine 1 Idle | STABLE - all 4 engines running | |
| 11 | Engine GeneratorsNOTE: With all generators online, APU generator can be switched off. | ON (all four) - verify buses powered | |
| 12 | APU Bleed Air | OFF (engines providing bleed) | |
| 13 | APU MasterNOTE: Shut down APU once all 4 engines are running and stable. | OFF |
PHS 6 — Post-Start / Ground Check9 steps
| 01 | All Engine ParametersNOTE: Verify TIT, torque, RPM (~1,020), oil pressure (40-65 psi), and oil temp for all 4 engines. | CHECK in limits | |
| 02 | Propellers | VERIFY all turning smoothly - no vibration | |
| 03 | Flight ControlsNOTE: Check ailerons, elevator, and rudder. Verify control surface response. | FREE and correct full deflection | |
| 04 | Trim | SET for takeoff - elevator and rudder neutral | |
| 05 | FlapsNOTE: Verify flap position indicator matches selection. | SET takeoff position (50%) | |
| 06 | Landing Gear | DOWN and LOCKED - 3 greens | |
| 07 | Hydraulic Systems | CHECK - all pressures in normal range | |
| 08 | Cabin Pressure / Bleed Air | CHECK - pressurisation scheduled | |
| 09 | CargoCAUTION: Verify cargo is tied down and ramp/door is latched before taxi. | SECURED and doors CLOSED |
PHS 7 — Taxi7 steps
| 01 | Parking Brake | RELEASE | |
| 02 | Taxi Lights | ON | |
| 03 | Navigation Lights | ON | |
| 04 | Transponder / IFF | ALT RPTG ON (as required) | |
| 05 | Brakes | CHECK during first movement | |
| 06 | Flight InstrumentsNOTE: Verify heading indicator, attitude, and altimeter during taxi. | CHECK during taxi | |
| 07 | Engine Instruments | MONITOR - all 4 engines normal |
PHS 8 — Before Takeoff12 steps
| 01 | Parking Brake | SET (holding position) | |
| 02 | Flight Controls | CHECKED - free and correct | |
| 03 | Flaps | CONFIRM 50% (takeoff setting) | |
| 04 | Trim | SET for takeoff weight and CG | |
| 05 | V-SpeedsNOTE: Typical Vr 100-120 kts depending on weight and conditions. | CONFIRM Vr / V2 for takeoff weight | |
| 06 | Departure BriefingNOTE: Review SID, initial altitude, engine failure procedure, and abort criteria. | CONFIRMED | |
| 07 | ACAWS | CHECK - no warnings | |
| 08 | Transponder / IFF | AS REQUIRED | |
| 09 | Landing Lights | ON | |
| 10 | Strobe Lights | ON | |
| 11 | ATC / Tactical Clearance | OBTAINED | |
| 12 | Parking Brake | RELEASE when cleared onto runway |
PHS 9 — Takeoff8 steps
| 01 | Brakes | HOLD on runway | |
| 02 | ThrottlesNOTE: Advance all four to maximum power. FADEC controls fuel flow. | ADVANCE to takeoff power | |
| 03 | Engine InstrumentsCAUTION: Abort if any engine fails to reach takeoff power before 80 kts. | CONFIRM - all 4 at full power | |
| 04 | Rudder | CONTROL - maintain centreline | |
| 05 | Rotate at VrNOTE: Gentle steady rotation rate. Avoid over-rotation. | SMOOTH back pressure - 10-12 deg nose up | |
| 06 | Positive Climb | CONFIRMED | |
| 07 | Landing GearNOTE: Select UP once positive rate confirmed. Gear limit ~200 kts. | UP | |
| 08 | Brakes | APPLY briefly then release after gear up |
PHS 10 — After Takeoff / Climb10 steps
| 01 | FlapsNOTE: Do not exceed max flap extension speed when retracting. | RETRACT to 0% above 160 kts | |
| 02 | Climb PowerNOTE: Reduce torque as altitude increases to maintain constant power. | SET - TIT at 932 C (max continuous) | |
| 03 | Autopilot | ENGAGE (if required) | |
| 04 | Landing Gear | CONFIRM UP and locked | |
| 05 | Flaps | CONFIRM retracted - 0% | |
| 06 | Landing Lights | OFF above 10,000 ft | |
| 07 | Pressurisation | CHECK - cabin altitude scheduling | |
| 08 | Altimeter | SET STD above transition altitude | |
| 09 | Fuel BalanceNOTE: Monitor all tank quantities and balance fuel load between tanks. | CHECK - transfer as required | |
| 10 | Engine Parameters | MONITOR all 4 - TIT, torque, oil normal |
PHS 11 — Cruise / Transit7 steps
| 01 | Altitude | VERIFY level at cruise altitude | |
| 02 | Cruise PowerNOTE: Reduce power from climb setting. Adjust torque for altitude. | SET - TIT ~900 C, airspeed ~290-320 kts | |
| 03 | Engine Instruments | CHECK all 4 - all parameters in limits | |
| 04 | Fuel Quantity | CHECK and balance tanks as required | |
| 05 | FMS Progress | MONITOR waypoints and ETAs | |
| 06 | Radios | SET for next sector / tactical frequency | |
| 07 | Tactical Awareness | MAINTAIN - radar / TCAS monitoring |
PHS 12 — Descent / Approach13 steps
| 01 | Destination Weather / ATISNOTE: Note QNH, wind, runway, and any restrictions at landing zone. | OBTAINED | |
| 02 | Approach BriefingNOTE: Review approach procedure, minimums, go-around altitude, and missed approach. | COMPLETED | |
| 03 | Descent Clearance | OBTAINED | |
| 04 | PowerNOTE: Avoid rapid power reduction - allow TIT to cool gradually. | REDUCE for descent | |
| 05 | Altimeter | SET local QNH at transition level | |
| 06 | 10,000 ft - Landing Lights | ON | |
| 07 | Approach Speed | REDUCE to 180-200 kts for configuration | |
| 08 | FlapsNOTE: Deploy incrementally as speed reduces. | EXTEND 50% below 200 kts | |
| 09 | Landing GearNOTE: Select DOWN below 200 kts. Verify three green gear indicators. | DOWN - 3 greens confirmed | |
| 10 | FlapsNOTE: Extend to full once below max flap speed. Verify indicator. | FULL 100% for landing | |
| 11 | Trim | ADJUST for approach speed and configuration | |
| 12 | Approach SpeedNOTE: Maintain stable approach speed. Adjust power to control descent rate. | STABILISE at Vapp (~130-150 kts based on weight) | |
| 13 | Stable ApproachWARNING: If not stable by 500 ft AGL, execute go-around immediately. | VERIFY by 500 ft AGL |
PHS 13 — Landing8 steps
| 01 | Short FinalNOTE: Target descent rate ~500-700 fpm on final. | ON SPEED and GLIDEPATH | |
| 02 | FlareNOTE: Smooth flare to reduce sink rate. Do not over-rotate. | GENTLE back pressure at 30-50 ft | |
| 03 | Throttles | REDUCE to idle at flare | |
| 04 | TouchdownNOTE: Lower nose gear smoothly after main gear contact. | MAIN GEAR first | |
| 05 | PropellersNOTE: Use reverse pitch aggressively on contaminated or short runways. | REVERSE - advance throttles into beta range | |
| 06 | Brakes | APPLY progressively as speed decreases | |
| 07 | Centreline | MAINTAIN with rudder steering | |
| 08 | Below 60 kts | PROPELLERS out of reverse - return throttles to idle |
PHS 14 — After Landing7 steps
| 01 | Runway Vacated | CONFIRMED | |
| 02 | Flaps | RETRACT to 0% | |
| 03 | Landing Lights | OFF or TAXI | |
| 04 | Strobe Lights | OFF | |
| 05 | Transponder / IFF | STBY or OFF | |
| 06 | Altimeter | SET local QNH | |
| 07 | Taxi to Parking | FOLLOW ground / ATC instructions |
PHS 15 — Shutdown15 steps
| 01 | Parking Brake | SET | |
| 02 | Taxi / Landing Lights | OFF | |
| 03 | Engine CooldownNOTE: Allow engines to cool at ground idle before shutdown. Do not shutdown immediately after hard use. | IDLE for 2 min | |
| 04 | Engine 1 Fuel CutoffNOTE: Shut down outboard engines first. | CLOSE | |
| 05 | Engine 2 Fuel Cutoff | CLOSE | |
| 06 | Engine 3 Fuel Cutoff | CLOSE | |
| 07 | Engine 4 Fuel CutoffNOTE: All propellers will begin windmilling to a stop. | CLOSE | |
| 08 | All Propellers | CONFIRM stopped / at rest | |
| 09 | FMS / Avionics | SHUT DOWN | |
| 10 | APU | START (if external power required at park) | |
| 11 | Engine Generators | OFF | |
| 12 | Navigation Lights | OFF | |
| 13 | AC Inverters | OFF | |
| 14 | Battery Switch | OFF | |
| 15 | Cargo / Ramp | SECURE or OPEN for offload as required |