F-14B TomcatDCS WORLD Startup Checklist · 146 steps
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U.S. Navy / Wikimedia CommonsPublic Domain
Fighter4th Gen
AIRCRAFT BRIEF
The Grumman F-14 Tomcat is a twin-engine, variable-sweep wing fighter that served as the U.S. Navy's primary air superiority fighter from 1974 to 2006. Made famous by the film Top Gun, it carried the powerful AWG-9 radar and AIM-54 Phoenix missile, capable of engaging six targets simultaneously at ranges over 100 miles. The F-14B variant introduced the more reliable GE F110-GE-400 engines, solving the compressor stall issues that plagued the original TF30 engines.
SPECIFICATIONS
manufacturerGrumman Aerospace
first Flight1970
roleAir superiority fighter / Fleet defense
crew2 (Pilot + RIO)
engines2x GE F110-GE-400 (27,080 lbf each with AB)
max Speed2,485 km/h (Mach 2.34)
range2,960 km (1,600 nmi)
ceiling53,000 ft
weight33,720 kg (MTOW)
PHS 1 — Electrical / Pre-Start11 steps
| 01 | Oxygen Supply | ON — Verify flow indicator | |
| 02 | Ejection SeatWARNING: Ensure both seats are armed before flight. | CHECK pins removed | |
| 03 | Throttles (Both) | OFF | |
| 04 | Landing Gear Handle | DOWN | |
| 05 | Parking Brake | SET | |
| 06 | Wing SweepNOTE: If wings in oversweep, pull emergency wing sweep circuit breakers. | CHECK — Oversweep or Auto | |
| 07 | External PowerNOTE: Order plane captain to connect external power. | CONNECT | |
| 08 | Ground Power Switch | ON | |
| 09 | Master Test SwitchNOTE: Verify fire warning lights, instruments, and master caution. | CYCLE positions | |
| 10 | Fuel Quantity | CHECK adequate for mission | |
| 11 | ICS / Intercom | CHECK with RIO |
PHS 2 — Engine Start11 steps
| 01 | Engine Crank SwitchNOTE: Order plane captain to apply starter air. | R ENG (Right) | |
| 02 | Right ThrottleCAUTION: Advance to IDLE only after 20% RPM — early advance risks hot start. | IDLE at 20% RPM | |
| 03 | Right Engine Light-OffWARNING: EGT must not exceed 890°C. If no light-off within 30 sec, abort start. | MONITOR — within 5–15 seconds | |
| 04 | Right Engine Stabilize | 62–78% RPM at idle | |
| 05 | Engine Crank Switch | L ENG (Left) | |
| 06 | Left Throttle | IDLE at 20% RPM | |
| 07 | Left Engine Light-Off | MONITOR — within 5–15 seconds | |
| 08 | Left Engine Stabilize | 62–78% RPM at idle | |
| 09 | Hydraulic PressureNOTE: When pressure reaches 3,000 PSI, set ENG CRANK to OFF. | CHECK — combined 3,000 PSI | |
| 10 | Engine Crank Switch | OFF | |
| 11 | HYD Transfer Pump | SHUTOFF (after cycling) |
PHS 3 — Post-Start / Systems13 steps
| 01 | Stability Augmentation (SAS) | ON — Both channels | |
| 02 | AFCS Switches | ON — Pitch, Roll, Yaw | |
| 03 | Master Test Switch | EMERG GEN — Verify operation | |
| 04 | AFTC (Engine Mode Select)NOTE: Verify both engines respond to AFTC check. | CYCLE — Check afterburner fuel control | |
| 05 | Wing Sweep Mode | AUTO | |
| 06 | Emergency Wing Sweep Handle | STOW | |
| 07 | FlapsNOTE: Verify flaps extend and retract normally. | CYCLE — Check full travel | |
| 08 | Slats | CHECK operation | |
| 09 | Speed Brake | CYCLE — Extend and retract | |
| 10 | Flight ControlsCAUTION: Full stick and rudder — verify control surfaces move correctly. | CYCLE — Full deflection | |
| 11 | Trim | SET to 000 | |
| 12 | Standby Attitude IndicatorNOTE: Requires 2+ minutes to stabilize before takeoff. | ERECT | |
| 13 | External Power | DISCONNECT |
PHS 4 — INS Alignment (RIO)9 steps
| 01 | INS Mode KnobNOTE: Full alignment takes 8 minutes. Quick align ~90 seconds. | GND ALIGN | |
| 02 | Waypoints / Navigation | ENTER mission data | |
| 03 | INS Quality | MONITOR — wait for FINE quality | |
| 04 | INS Mode Knob | NAV (when aligned) | |
| 05 | RIO Displays | ON — TID, DDD | |
| 06 | RWR (AN/ALR-67) | ON | |
| 07 | IFF / Transponder | SET | |
| 08 | TACAN | SET channel and mode | |
| 09 | Radar (AWG-9)NOTE: Select STBY — allow warm-up before going to OPR. | STBY |
PHS 5 — Avionics / Weapons10 steps
| 01 | HUD Power | ON | |
| 02 | VDI / HSD | ON — Check displays | |
| 03 | Radar Altimeter | ON — BIT check | |
| 04 | Anti-SkidNOTE: Check anti-skid indicator lights. | BIT — Run self-test | |
| 05 | Compass Heading | CHECK — Cross-check HUD/VDI/HSD | |
| 06 | Altimeter | SET — Field elevation | |
| 07 | Radios (UHF / V/UHF) | SET frequencies | |
| 08 | ARA-63 (ILS) | ON — Test | |
| 09 | Master ArmNOTE: Weapons safe for taxi and takeoff. | SAFE | |
| 10 | Missile Cooling | OFF |
PHS 6 — Before Taxi7 steps
| 01 | Canopy | CLOSE & LOCK | |
| 02 | Ejection Seats (Both)WARNING: Verify canopy locked before arming seats. | ARM | |
| 03 | Nosewheel SteeringNOTE: NWS button on stick. | ENGAGE | |
| 04 | Taxi Light | ON | |
| 05 | Anti-Collision Light | ON | |
| 06 | Parking Brake | RELEASE | |
| 07 | Brakes | CHECK during first movement |
PHS 7 — Taxi5 steps
| 01 | Taxi SpeedCAUTION: F-14 is heavy — maintain slow taxi speeds. | SAFE — max 10 kts on ramp | |
| 02 | Nosewheel Steering | CHECK responsive | |
| 03 | InstrumentsNOTE: HUD heading, attitude, compass — verify they track turns. | CHECK during taxi | |
| 04 | Flight Controls | FREE & CORRECT | |
| 05 | Wing Sweep | AUTO — Check 20° for takeoff |
PHS 8 — Before Takeoff11 steps
| 01 | Canopy | CONFIRM CLOSED & LOCKED | |
| 02 | Ejection Seats | CONFIRM ARMED | |
| 03 | FlapsNOTE: Flaps down for field takeoff. | SET for takeoff | |
| 04 | Wing Sweep | 20° (AUTO) | |
| 05 | Trim | SET — Nose-up trim for takeoff | |
| 06 | Spoilers (DLC) | OFF | |
| 07 | Altimeter | SET — Field elevation | |
| 08 | Radar | OPR (if warm-up complete) | |
| 09 | Strobe Lights | ON | |
| 10 | Launch Bar | UP (shore takeoff) | |
| 11 | Brakes | HOLD — Hold on brakes for run-up |
PHS 9 — Takeoff9 steps
| 01 | Lineup on Runway | CENTERLINE | |
| 02 | ThrottlesNOTE: Advance to military power, check engine instruments. | MIL (Zone 1) | |
| 03 | Brakes | RELEASE | |
| 04 | ThrottlesNOTE: Lift finger lift to advance past MIL detent. | AFTERBURNER (if required) | |
| 05 | NWS | MAINTAIN centerline | |
| 06 | RotationNOTE: Ease back on stick — pitch 8–12° nose up. | ROTATE at 130–150 kts | |
| 07 | Positive Climb | CONFIRMED — Check altimeter and VSI | |
| 08 | Landing Gear | UP | |
| 09 | Flaps | RETRACT |
PHS 10 — After Takeoff / Climb8 steps
| 01 | Landing Gear | CONFIRM UP — 3 green out | |
| 02 | Flaps | CONFIRM RETRACTED | |
| 03 | Throttles | MIL or as required | |
| 04 | Airspeed | ACCELERATE to 300 kts | |
| 05 | Wing Sweep | AUTO — Wings sweep aft with speed | |
| 06 | Altimeter | CHECK — Set STD above transition | |
| 07 | Taxi / Landing Lights | OFF | |
| 08 | Climb Altitude | AS ASSIGNED |
PHS 11 — Cruise / Transit8 steps
| 01 | Altitude | AT assigned level | |
| 02 | AirspeedNOTE: Mach 0.7–0.85 typical cruise. | AS REQUIRED | |
| 03 | AutopilotNOTE: Altitude hold, heading select available. | ENGAGE (if desired) | |
| 04 | Wing Sweep | AUTO — Check position vs speed | |
| 05 | Fuel State | MONITOR — Check quantity and balance | |
| 06 | Navigation (TID/HSD) | CHECK waypoints | |
| 07 | Radar (AWG-9)NOTE: Set mode for mission — TWS, RWS, or Pulse. | AS REQUIRED | |
| 08 | ECM / RWR | MONITOR |
PHS 12 — Descent / Approach13 steps
| 01 | ATIS / WeatherNOTE: Note QNH, winds, active runway. | OBTAINED | |
| 02 | Altimeter | SET local QNH | |
| 03 | Airspeed | REDUCE below 400 kts | |
| 04 | ILS / TACAN | SET and IDENTIFIED | |
| 05 | Radar Altimeter | SET | |
| 06 | DLC (Direct Lift Control)NOTE: Spoilers provide glidepath control. | ENGAGE for approach | |
| 07 | Wing Sweep | CHECK — Wings come forward as speed decreases | |
| 08 | Approach SpeedNOTE: AoA indexer: donut centered = on-speed. | ~135 kts on-speed | |
| 09 | Landing Gear | DOWN (below 280 kts) | |
| 10 | Flaps | DOWN | |
| 11 | Hook | DOWN (carrier only) | |
| 12 | Landing / Taxi Lights | ON | |
| 13 | Master Arm | SAFE |
PHS 13 — Landing (Shore)7 steps
| 01 | On-Speed AoACAUTION: Fly the aircraft onto the runway — do not flare aggressively. | MAINTAIN — Donut on AoA indexer | |
| 02 | Throttles | IDLE at touchdown | |
| 03 | Nosewheel | LOWER gently | |
| 04 | Speed Brake | EXTEND | |
| 05 | Braking | APPLY — Differential braking for centerline | |
| 06 | NWS | ENGAGE below 80 kts | |
| 07 | DLC | OFF |
PHS 14 — After Landing8 steps
| 01 | Flaps | RETRACT | |
| 02 | Speed Brake | RETRACT | |
| 03 | Hook | UP | |
| 04 | Wing Sweep | OVERSWEEP (if parking) | |
| 05 | Radar | STBY | |
| 06 | Transponder | STBY | |
| 07 | Landing / Taxi Lights | TAXI only | |
| 08 | Taxi to Parking | NWS ENGAGED |
PHS 15 — Shutdown16 steps
| 01 | Parking Brake | SET | |
| 02 | Wing Sweep | OVERSWEEP | |
| 03 | Radar (AWG-9) | OFF | |
| 04 | ECM / RWR | OFF | |
| 05 | TACAN | OFF | |
| 06 | IFF | OFF | |
| 07 | Radios | OFF | |
| 08 | Throttle (Left) | OFF | |
| 09 | Throttle (Right) | OFF | |
| 10 | Ejection Seats (Both)WARNING: Safe both seats before ground crew approach. | SAFE | |
| 11 | SAS / AFCS | OFF | |
| 12 | HUD / VDI / HSD | OFF | |
| 13 | Anti-Collision / Strobe Lights | OFF | |
| 14 | All Lights | OFF | |
| 15 | Ground Power | OFF | |
| 16 | Canopy | OPEN |