DCS World · Transport

C-130J Super Hercules Kneeboard

Back to checklist

Startup ChecklistPrints at actual size

C-130J Super HerculesFLIGHT2.9.0Checklist

DATE PILOT TAIL

01Pre-Flight Planning8 steps

Weather Briefing (METAR / TAF / Sigmet)REVIEWED

NOTAMs / Mission BriefREVIEWED

Flight Plan / RoutePLANNED

Fuel PlanningVERIFIED

Weight & Balance / Cargo ManifestWITHIN LIMITS

Performance - Takeoff DataCALCULATED

Divert BasesIDENTIFIED

Crew BriefingCOMPLETE

02Electrical Power Up5 steps

Battery SwitchON

Battery VoltageCHECK - minimum 24 V

External Power (GPU)CONNECT (if available)

AC InvertersON

Essential Avionics BusVERIFY powered

03APU Start5 steps

APU Master SwitchON

APU Start SwitchCRANK

APU GeneratorON - verify bus powered

APU Bleed AirON

External PowerDISCONNECT (if APU running)

04Avionics / FMS Setup11 steps

Avionics Master SwitchesON (sequentially)

Flight Management System (FMS)INITIALIZE

FMS - Present PositionENTER / VERIFY

FMS - Flight Plan / WaypointsLOADED

HUDON - verify display active

INS / Navigation AlignmentALIGNED

ACAWS (Aircraft Caution and Warning System)CHECK - no abnormal warnings

Radios (UHF / VHF)SET departure frequencies

Transponder / IFFSET assigned code - STBY

AltimetersSET QNH / field elevation

Heading IndicatorALIGNED with magnetic compass

05Engine Start13 steps

Fuel Shutoff Valves - All EnginesOPEN

Engine Start - #3INITIATE

Engine 3 - TIT / N1MONITOR - TIT rising smoothly

Engine 3 IdleSTABLE - TIT, torque, oil pressure in limits

Engine Start - #4INITIATE

Engine 4 IdleSTABLE - all parameters normal

Engine Start - #2INITIATE

Engine 2 IdleSTABLE

Engine Start - #1INITIATE

Engine 1 IdleSTABLE - all 4 engines running

Engine GeneratorsON (all four) - verify buses powered

APU Bleed AirOFF (engines providing bleed)

APU MasterOFF

06Post-Start / Ground Check9 steps

All Engine ParametersCHECK in limits

PropellersVERIFY all turning smoothly - no vibration

Flight ControlsFREE and correct full deflection

TrimSET for takeoff - elevator and rudder neutral

FlapsSET takeoff position (50%)

Landing GearDOWN and LOCKED - 3 greens

Hydraulic SystemsCHECK - all pressures in normal range

Cabin Pressure / Bleed AirCHECK - pressurisation scheduled

CargoSECURED and doors CLOSED

07Taxi7 steps

Parking BrakeRELEASE

Taxi LightsON

Navigation LightsON

Transponder / IFFALT RPTG ON (as required)

BrakesCHECK during first movement

Flight InstrumentsCHECK during taxi

Engine InstrumentsMONITOR - all 4 engines normal

08Before Takeoff12 steps

Parking BrakeSET (holding position)

Flight ControlsCHECKED - free and correct

FlapsCONFIRM 50% (takeoff setting)

TrimSET for takeoff weight and CG

V-SpeedsCONFIRM Vr / V2 for takeoff weight

Departure BriefingCONFIRMED

ACAWSCHECK - no warnings

Transponder / IFFAS REQUIRED

Landing LightsON

Strobe LightsON

ATC / Tactical ClearanceOBTAINED

Parking BrakeRELEASE when cleared onto runway

09Takeoff8 steps

BrakesHOLD on runway

ThrottlesADVANCE to takeoff power

Engine InstrumentsCONFIRM - all 4 at full power

RudderCONTROL - maintain centreline

Rotate at VrSMOOTH back pressure - 10-12 deg nose up

Positive ClimbCONFIRMED

Landing GearUP

BrakesAPPLY briefly then release after gear up

10After Takeoff / Climb10 steps

FlapsRETRACT to 0% above 160 kts

Climb PowerSET - TIT at 932 C (max continuous)

AutopilotENGAGE (if required)

Landing GearCONFIRM UP and locked

FlapsCONFIRM retracted - 0%

Landing LightsOFF above 10,000 ft

PressurisationCHECK - cabin altitude scheduling

AltimeterSET STD above transition altitude

Fuel BalanceCHECK - transfer as required

Engine ParametersMONITOR all 4 - TIT, torque, oil normal

11Cruise / Transit7 steps

AltitudeVERIFY level at cruise altitude

Cruise PowerSET - TIT ~900 C, airspeed ~290-320 kts

Engine InstrumentsCHECK all 4 - all parameters in limits

Fuel QuantityCHECK and balance tanks as required

FMS ProgressMONITOR waypoints and ETAs

RadiosSET for next sector / tactical frequency

Tactical AwarenessMAINTAIN - radar / TCAS monitoring

12Descent / Approach13 steps

Destination Weather / ATISOBTAINED

Approach BriefingCOMPLETED

Descent ClearanceOBTAINED

PowerREDUCE for descent

AltimeterSET local QNH at transition level

10,000 ft - Landing LightsON

Approach SpeedREDUCE to 180-200 kts for configuration

FlapsEXTEND 50% below 200 kts

Landing GearDOWN - 3 greens confirmed

FlapsFULL 100% for landing

TrimADJUST for approach speed and configuration

Approach SpeedSTABILISE at Vapp (~130-150 kts based on weight)

Stable ApproachVERIFY by 500 ft AGL

13Landing8 steps

Short FinalON SPEED and GLIDEPATH

FlareGENTLE back pressure at 30-50 ft

ThrottlesREDUCE to idle at flare

TouchdownMAIN GEAR first

PropellersREVERSE - advance throttles into beta range

BrakesAPPLY progressively as speed decreases

CentrelineMAINTAIN with rudder steering

Below 60 ktsPROPELLERS out of reverse - return throttles to idle

14After Landing7 steps

Runway VacatedCONFIRMED

FlapsRETRACT to 0%

Landing LightsOFF or TAXI

Strobe LightsOFF

Transponder / IFFSTBY or OFF

AltimeterSET local QNH

Taxi to ParkingFOLLOW ground / ATC instructions

15Shutdown15 steps

Parking BrakeSET

Taxi / Landing LightsOFF

Engine CooldownIDLE for 2 min

Engine 1 Fuel CutoffCLOSE

Engine 2 Fuel CutoffCLOSE

Engine 3 Fuel CutoffCLOSE

Engine 4 Fuel CutoffCLOSE

All PropellersCONFIRM stopped / at rest

FMS / AvionicsSHUT DOWN

APUSTART (if external power required at park)

Engine GeneratorsOFF

Navigation LightsOFF

AC InvertersOFF

Battery SwitchOFF

Cargo / RampSECURE or OPEN for offload as required

flightchecklist.app/dcs/c-130jFor flight simulation use onlyCard 1 / 1