DCS WORLD · Fighter
F-14B Tomcat Startup Checklist
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F-14B Tomcat Startup Notes
The Tomcat is a two-crew jet with no APU, so a cold start begins with the ground crew menu: request external electrical power and low-pressure air before anything will spin. Each F110 is cranked off that external air, throttle to idle once RPM comes up, then repeat on the other side. Meanwhile the INS alignment belongs to the back seat - Jester will run it if you command it, but it takes several minutes, so get it started early.
Most botched Tomcat starts come from skipping the ground crew: with no external air connected, the crank switch does nothing. Pilots also forget the AFCS/SAS channels after start, leave the wing sweep out of AUTO, and taxi while the RIO's alignment is still cooking, which degrades nav and weapons employment. Talk to the crew chief first, give Jester time to finish the alignment, and run the wing sweep and flap checks before you leave the chocks.
Common mistakes
- Cranking engines without requesting external air first
- Taxiing before the INS alignment finishes
- Forgetting to engage the AFCS/SAS channels after start
Related Aircraft
Pilot Tools for This Flight
FLIGHT2.0Checklist
F-14B TomcatDCS WORLD · Startup Checklist · 154 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. Note ceiling and visibility for approach. | |
| 03 | NOTAMs / AirspaceREVIEWEDNOTE: Check restricted areas, active MOAs, and NOTAM restrictions. | |
| 04 | Fuel Planning - Bingo / JokerSETNOTE: Calculate bingo fuel (minimum to return to base) and joker fuel (time to leave target area). | |
| 05 | Stores / LoadoutVERIFIEDNOTE: Confirm weapons, pylons, pods, and fuel tanks match mission requirements. | |
| 06 | Waypoints / NavigationPROGRAMMEDNOTE: Review steerpoints, IP, target coordinates, and bullseye reference. | |
| 07 | Radio Frequencies / IFFSETNOTE: Set primary, secondary, guard frequencies. Confirm IFF/SIF codes. | |
| 08 | Divert BasesIDENTIFIEDNOTE: Know nearest divert fields, runway lengths, and approach frequencies. |
PHS 2 — Electrical / Pre-Start11 steps
| 01 | Oxygen SupplyON - Verify flow indicator | |
| 02 | Ejection SeatCHECK pins removedWARNING: Ensure both seats are armed before flight. | |
| 03 | Throttles (Both)OFF | |
| 04 | Landing Gear HandleDOWN | |
| 05 | Parking BrakeSET | |
| 06 | Wing SweepCHECK - Oversweep or AutoNOTE: If wings in oversweep, pull emergency wing sweep circuit breakers. | |
| 07 | External PowerCONNECTNOTE: Order plane captain to connect external power. | |
| 08 | Ground Power SwitchON | |
| 09 | Master Test SwitchCYCLE positionsNOTE: Verify fire warning lights, instruments, and master caution. | |
| 10 | Fuel QuantityCHECK adequate for mission | |
| 11 | ICS / IntercomCHECK with RIO |
PHS 3 — Engine Start11 steps
| 01 | Engine Crank SwitchR ENG (Right)NOTE: Order plane captain to apply starter air. | |
| 02 | Right ThrottleIDLE at 20% RPMCAUTION: Advance to IDLE only after 20% RPM - early advance risks hot start. | |
| 03 | Right Engine Light-OffMONITOR - within 5–15 secondsWARNING: EGT must not exceed 890°C. If no light-off within 30 sec, abort start. | |
| 04 | Right Engine Stabilize62–78% RPM at idle | |
| 05 | Engine Crank SwitchL ENG (Left) | |
| 06 | Left ThrottleIDLE at 20% RPM | |
| 07 | Left Engine Light-OffMONITOR - within 5–15 seconds | |
| 08 | Left Engine Stabilize62–78% RPM at idle | |
| 09 | Hydraulic PressureCHECK - combined 3,000 PSINOTE: When pressure reaches 3,000 PSI, set ENG CRANK to OFF. | |
| 10 | Engine Crank SwitchOFF | |
| 11 | HYD Transfer PumpSHUTOFF (after cycling) |
PHS 4 — Post-Start / Systems13 steps
| 01 | Stability Augmentation (SAS)ON - Both channels | |
| 02 | AFCS SwitchesON - Pitch, Roll, Yaw | |
| 03 | Master Test SwitchEMERG GEN - Verify operation | |
| 04 | AFTC (Engine Mode Select)CYCLE - Check afterburner fuel controlNOTE: Verify both engines respond to AFTC check. | |
| 05 | Wing Sweep ModeAUTO | |
| 06 | Emergency Wing Sweep HandleSTOW | |
| 07 | FlapsCYCLE - Check full travelNOTE: Verify flaps extend and retract normally. | |
| 08 | SlatsCHECK operation | |
| 09 | Speed BrakeCYCLE - Extend and retract | |
| 10 | Flight ControlsCYCLE - Full deflectionCAUTION: Full stick and rudder - verify control surfaces move correctly. | |
| 11 | TrimSET to 000 | |
| 12 | Standby Attitude IndicatorERECTNOTE: Requires 2+ minutes to stabilize before takeoff. | |
| 13 | External PowerDISCONNECT |
PHS 5 — INS Alignment (RIO)9 steps
| 01 | INS Mode KnobGND ALIGNNOTE: Full alignment takes 8 minutes. Quick align ~90 seconds. | |
| 02 | Waypoints / NavigationENTER mission data | |
| 03 | INS QualityMONITOR - wait for FINE quality | |
| 04 | INS Mode KnobNAV (when aligned) | |
| 05 | RIO DisplaysON - TID, DDD | |
| 06 | RWR (AN/ALR-67)ON | |
| 07 | IFF / TransponderSET | |
| 08 | TACANSET channel and mode | |
| 09 | Radar (AWG-9)STBYNOTE: Select STBY - allow warm-up before going to OPR. |
PHS 6 — Avionics / Weapons10 steps
| 01 | HUD PowerON | |
| 02 | VDI / HSDON - Check displays | |
| 03 | Radar AltimeterON - BIT check | |
| 04 | Anti-SkidBIT - Run self-testNOTE: Check anti-skid indicator lights. | |
| 05 | Compass HeadingCHECK - Cross-check HUD/VDI/HSD | |
| 06 | AltimeterSET - Field elevation | |
| 07 | Radios (UHF / V/UHF)SET frequencies | |
| 08 | ARA-63 (ILS)ON - Test | |
| 09 | Master ArmSAFENOTE: Weapons safe for taxi and takeoff. | |
| 10 | Missile CoolingOFF |
PHS 7 — Before Taxi7 steps
| 01 | CanopyCLOSE & LOCK | |
| 02 | Ejection Seats (Both)ARMWARNING: Verify canopy locked before arming seats. | |
| 03 | Nosewheel SteeringENGAGENOTE: NWS button on stick. | |
| 04 | Taxi LightON | |
| 05 | Anti-Collision LightON | |
| 06 | Parking BrakeRELEASE | |
| 07 | BrakesCHECK during first movement |
PHS 8 — Taxi5 steps
| 01 | Taxi SpeedSAFE - max 10 kts on rampCAUTION: F-14 is heavy - maintain slow taxi speeds. | |
| 02 | Nosewheel SteeringCHECK responsive | |
| 03 | InstrumentsCHECK during taxiNOTE: HUD heading, attitude, compass - verify they track turns. | |
| 04 | Flight ControlsFREE & CORRECT | |
| 05 | Wing SweepAUTO - Check 20° for takeoff |
PHS 9 — Before Takeoff11 steps
| 01 | CanopyCONFIRM CLOSED & LOCKED | |
| 02 | Ejection SeatsCONFIRM ARMED | |
| 03 | FlapsSET for takeoffNOTE: Flaps down for field takeoff. | |
| 04 | Wing Sweep20° (AUTO) | |
| 05 | TrimSET - Nose-up trim for takeoff | |
| 06 | Spoilers (DLC)OFF | |
| 07 | AltimeterSET - Field elevation | |
| 08 | RadarOPR (if warm-up complete) | |
| 09 | Strobe LightsON | |
| 10 | Launch BarUP (shore takeoff) | |
| 11 | BrakesHOLD - Hold on brakes for run-up |
PHS 10 — Takeoff9 steps
| 01 | Lineup on RunwayCENTERLINE | |
| 02 | ThrottlesMIL (Zone 1)NOTE: Advance to military power, check engine instruments. | |
| 03 | BrakesRELEASE | |
| 04 | ThrottlesAFTERBURNER (if required)NOTE: Lift finger lift to advance past MIL detent. | |
| 05 | NWSMAINTAIN centerline | |
| 06 | RotationROTATE at 130–150 ktsNOTE: Ease back on stick - pitch 8–12° nose up. | |
| 07 | Positive ClimbCONFIRMED - Check altimeter and VSI | |
| 08 | Landing GearUP | |
| 09 | FlapsRETRACT |
PHS 11 — After Takeoff / Climb8 steps
| 01 | Landing GearCONFIRM UP - 3 green out | |
| 02 | FlapsCONFIRM RETRACTED | |
| 03 | ThrottlesMIL or as required | |
| 04 | AirspeedACCELERATE to 300 kts | |
| 05 | Wing SweepAUTO - Wings sweep aft with speed | |
| 06 | AltimeterCHECK - Set STD above transition | |
| 07 | Taxi / Landing LightsOFF | |
| 08 | Climb AltitudeAS ASSIGNED |
PHS 12 — Cruise / Transit8 steps
| 01 | AltitudeAT assigned level | |
| 02 | AirspeedAS REQUIREDNOTE: Mach 0.7–0.85 typical cruise. | |
| 03 | AutopilotENGAGE (if desired)NOTE: Altitude hold, heading select available. | |
| 04 | Wing SweepAUTO - Check position vs speed | |
| 05 | Fuel StateMONITOR - Check quantity and balance | |
| 06 | Navigation (TID/HSD)CHECK waypoints | |
| 07 | Radar (AWG-9)AS REQUIREDNOTE: Set mode for mission - TWS, RWS, or Pulse. | |
| 08 | ECM / RWRMONITOR |
PHS 13 — Descent / Approach13 steps
| 01 | ATIS / WeatherOBTAINEDNOTE: Note QNH, winds, active runway. | |
| 02 | AltimeterSET local QNH | |
| 03 | AirspeedREDUCE below 400 kts | |
| 04 | ILS / TACANSET and IDENTIFIED | |
| 05 | Radar AltimeterSET | |
| 06 | DLC (Direct Lift Control)ENGAGE for approachNOTE: Spoilers provide glidepath control. | |
| 07 | Wing SweepCHECK - Wings come forward as speed decreases | |
| 08 | Approach Speed~135 kts on-speedNOTE: AoA indexer: donut centered = on-speed. | |
| 09 | Landing GearDOWN (below 280 kts) | |
| 10 | FlapsDOWN | |
| 11 | HookDOWN (carrier only) | |
| 12 | Landing / Taxi LightsON | |
| 13 | Master ArmSAFE |
PHS 14 — Landing (Shore)7 steps
| 01 | On-Speed AoAMAINTAIN - Donut on AoA indexerCAUTION: Fly the aircraft onto the runway - do not flare aggressively. | |
| 02 | ThrottlesIDLE at touchdown | |
| 03 | NosewheelLOWER gently | |
| 04 | Speed BrakeEXTEND | |
| 05 | BrakingAPPLY - Differential braking for centerline | |
| 06 | NWSENGAGE below 80 kts | |
| 07 | DLCOFF |
PHS 15 — After Landing8 steps
| 01 | FlapsRETRACT | |
| 02 | Speed BrakeRETRACT | |
| 03 | HookUP | |
| 04 | Wing SweepOVERSWEEP (if parking) | |
| 05 | RadarSTBY | |
| 06 | TransponderSTBY | |
| 07 | Landing / Taxi LightsTAXI only | |
| 08 | Taxi to ParkingNWS ENGAGED |
PHS 16 — Shutdown16 steps
| 01 | Parking BrakeSET | |
| 02 | Wing SweepOVERSWEEP | |
| 03 | Radar (AWG-9)OFF | |
| 04 | ECM / RWROFF | |
| 05 | TACANOFF | |
| 06 | IFFOFF | |
| 07 | RadiosOFF | |
| 08 | Throttle (Left)OFF | |
| 09 | Throttle (Right)OFF | |
| 10 | Ejection Seats (Both)SAFEWARNING: Safe both seats before ground crew approach. | |
| 11 | SAS / AFCSOFF | |
| 12 | HUD / VDI / HSDOFF | |
| 13 | Anti-Collision / Strobe LightsOFF | |
| 14 | All LightsOFF | |
| 15 | Ground PowerOFF | |
| 16 | CanopyOPEN |