F-15C EagleDCS WORLD Startup Checklist · 111 steps
F-15C Eagle
DCS WORLD - 0/111 STEPS
U.S. Air Force / Wikimedia CommonsPublic Domain
Fighter4th Gen
AIRCRAFT BRIEF
The McDonnell Douglas F-15C Eagle is the definitive air superiority fighter of the Western world, entering service in 1979 as an upgraded version of the original F-15A. With a thrust-to-weight ratio exceeding 1:1, an APG-63 radar, and an unmatched combat record of over 100 kills with zero air-to-air losses, the Eagle set the standard for air dominance fighters. It remains in front-line service with the U.S. Air Force and several allied nations.
RANGE VISUALIZER
SPECIFICATIONS
manufacturerMcDonnell Douglas (now Boeing)
first Flight1972
roleAir superiority fighter
crew1 pilot
engines2x P&W F100-PW-220 (23,770 lbf each with AB)
max Speed2,655 km/h (Mach 2.5)
range5,550 km (3,000 nmi) with drop tanks
ceiling65,000 ft
weight30,845 kg (MTOW)
PHS 1 — Pre-Flight Planning8 steps
| 01 | Mission BriefNOTE: Review mission type, air threat environment, ROE, and escape maneuvers. | REVIEWED | |
| 02 | Weather BriefingNOTE: Check departure, en-route, and recovery weather. Note winds, icing, and visibility. | REVIEWED | |
| 03 | NOTAMs / AirspaceNOTE: Check restricted airspace, MOAs, and active ranges. | REVIEWED | |
| 04 | Fuel Planning - Joker / BingoNOTE: Calculate joker (leave combat) and bingo (minimum RTB) fuel values. | SET | |
| 05 | Weapons / LoadoutNOTE: Confirm AIM-7, AIM-9, AIM-120 counts and pylon configuration. | VERIFIED | |
| 06 | Steerpoints / NavigationNOTE: Review waypoints, CAP points, and bullseye reference. | PROGRAMMED | |
| 07 | Radio Frequencies / IFFNOTE: Set primary, secondary, guard. Confirm IFF modes and codes. | SET | |
| 08 | Divert BasesNOTE: Know nearest diverts, runway lengths, and approach frequencies. | IDENTIFIED |
PHS 2 — Electrical / Initial Power4 steps
| 01 | MAIN PWR SwitchNOTE: Initiates battery power to cockpit. | MAIN PWR | |
| 02 | JFS (Jet Fuel Starter) SwitchNOTE: Activates JFS accumulator. Listen for JFS spin-up. | START 2 | |
| 03 | JFS READY lightNOTE: Confirm JFS ready before throttle advance. | ILLUMINATED | |
| 04 | CanopyCAUTION: Verify canopy locked before engine start. | CLOSED AND LOCKED |
PHS 3 — Left Engine Start6 steps
| 01 | Left ThrottleNOTE: Move left throttle from OFF to IDLE when JFS ready. | IDLE (from OFF) | |
| 02 | Left Engine RPMNOTE: Watch N2 RPM rise above 20% indicating light-off. | RISING | |
| 03 | Left Engine FTITWARNING: Hot start if FTIT exceeds 980 C - pull throttle to OFF immediately. | < 980 C DURING START | |
| 04 | Left Engine RPMNOTE: Engine should stabilize at idle RPM. | 67-68% IDLE | |
| 05 | Left GeneratorNOTE: Check generator switch and observe avionics power. | ONLINE | |
| 06 | Hydraulic Pressure (Left)NOTE: System A hydraulic should be pressurized. | GREEN / NORMAL |
PHS 4 — Right Engine Start7 steps
| 01 | Right ThrottleNOTE: Move right throttle from OFF to IDLE. | IDLE (from OFF) | |
| 02 | Right Engine RPM | RISING | |
| 03 | Right Engine FTITWARNING: Hot start if FTIT exceeds 980 C - pull throttle to OFF immediately. | < 980 C DURING START | |
| 04 | Right Engine RPM | 67-68% IDLE | |
| 05 | Right Generator | ONLINE | |
| 06 | Hydraulic Pressure (Right) | GREEN / NORMAL | |
| 07 | JFS SwitchNOTE: Shut down JFS after both engines are running. | OFF |
PHS 5 — Avionics / Systems Check10 steps
| 01 | MPD / MPCD DisplaysNOTE: Allow BIT self-test to complete on both MPDs and MPCD. | ON - BIT COMPLETE | |
| 02 | UFC (Upfront Controls)NOTE: Check UFC displays active. | POWERED | |
| 03 | INU (Inertial Nav Unit)NOTE: Set NAV MODE to INU. Allow ~8 min for full alignment from cold. | ALIGNING | |
| 04 | Radar (APG-63)NOTE: Radar requires ~3 min warm-up before use. | STANDBY / WARMING UP | |
| 05 | IFFNOTE: Enter IFF mode/code per mission data. | SET CODES | |
| 06 | TACANNOTE: Set home base or recovery TACAN channel. | SET CHANNEL | |
| 07 | Intercom / RadioNOTE: Set primary UHF and secondary UHF frequencies. | SET FREQUENCIES | |
| 08 | EWMS (Electronic Warfare)NOTE: Set up RWR, chaff, flare programs per mission. | CONFIGURED | |
| 09 | AltimeterNOTE: Set local altimeter setting. | SET QNH | |
| 10 | Standby InstrumentsNOTE: Verify standby ADI, altimeter, airspeed are functional. | CHECKED |
PHS 6 — Weapons Systems Check5 steps
| 01 | Master ArmCAUTION: Keep Master Arm SAFE until arming area. | SAFE | |
| 02 | SMS (Stores Management)NOTE: Check SMS pages to confirm weapon loads match expectations. | INVENTORY VERIFIED | |
| 03 | A/A WeaponsNOTE: Confirm AIM-7, AIM-9, AIM-120 symbology on HUD/MPD. | SELECTED AND VERIFIED | |
| 04 | GUNNOTE: 940 rounds of 20mm standard load. | CHECKED - AMMO COUNT VERIFIED | |
| 05 | Chaff / Flare ProgramsNOTE: Program countermeasures per mission threat environment. | SET |
PHS 7 — Before Taxi8 steps
| 01 | INU AlignmentNOTE: Wait for INU to complete alignment before moving. | COMPLETE (STORED HDG or fine align) | |
| 02 | Flight ControlsNOTE: Check stick, rudder full travel in all directions. | FULL TRAVEL - FREE AND CORRECT | |
| 03 | SpeedbrakeNOTE: Verify speedbrake operates and returns to closed. | CYCLE AND STOW | |
| 04 | FlapsNOTE: F-15C uses auto flaps - no manual setting required. | UP | |
| 05 | Trim | SET FOR TAKEOFF | |
| 06 | Nozzle PositionNOTE: Both engine nozzles should be visibly open at idle. | OPEN AT IDLE | |
| 07 | Fuel QuantityNOTE: ~13,123 lbs internal fuel (typical full load). | CHECKED - AS BRIEFED | |
| 08 | Parking Brake | SET UNTIL READY TO TAXI |
PHS 8 — Taxi5 steps
| 01 | Parking Brake | RELEASE | |
| 02 | Throttles | ADVANCE SMOOTHLY TO BREAK FREE | |
| 03 | Brakes | CHECK (left and right independently) | |
| 04 | Nosewheel SteeringNOTE: NWS button on stick activates nosewheel steering. | ENGAGED - CHECK RESPONSE | |
| 05 | Taxi Speed | < 20 KTS ON STRAIGHT / < 10 KTS ON TURNS |
PHS 9 — Before Takeoff8 steps
| 01 | Lineup Check - Controls | FREE AND CORRECT | |
| 02 | Engine ParametersNOTE: N1/N2 RPM, FTIT, oil pressure all normal at idle. | BOTH IN LIMITS | |
| 03 | IFF | ON - MASTER (as briefed) | |
| 04 | Warning LightsCAUTION: Abort if any caution/warning lights illuminated. | NONE ILLUMINATED | |
| 05 | Speed Brake | IN / CLOSED | |
| 06 | Radar Altimeter | ON | |
| 07 | Emergency Gear Handle | STOWED | |
| 08 | Arresting Hook | UP |
PHS 10 — Takeoff7 steps
| 01 | Parking Brake | RELEASE | |
| 02 | Throttles | MIL (then AB if required) | |
| 03 | Engine ParametersNOTE: Verify symmetrical thrust before release. | CHECK BOTH ENGINES IN LIMITS | |
| 04 | Nosewheel Lift-off SpeedNOTE: Rotate at approx 100-120 KIAS depending on weight. | ~100 KIAS | |
| 05 | Rotate / Lift-offNOTE: Apply back pressure, rotate at ~8-10 degrees nose up. | ~130 KIAS | |
| 06 | Positive Rate of ClimbNOTE: Select gear up once positive climb established. | GEAR UP | |
| 07 | Airspeed / Altitude | MONITOR |
PHS 11 — After Takeoff / Climb6 steps
| 01 | Landing GearNOTE: Check gear indicator shows 3 lights out. | UP AND LOCKED | |
| 02 | Throttles | MIL (reduce from AB as needed) | |
| 03 | Climb Speed | 350 KIAS / 0.9 MACH ABOVE 30,000 FT | |
| 04 | RadarNOTE: Switch radar from standby to active after takeoff. | ACTIVE - SEARCH MODE | |
| 05 | Weapons | ARM AS BRIEFED | |
| 06 | Check In | RADIO CHECK ON ASSIGNED FREQUENCY |
PHS 12 — Cruise7 steps
| 01 | Throttle SettingNOTE: Optimal cruise efficiency. Adjust for speed requirement. | 80-85% RPM | |
| 02 | Altitude | AS BRIEFED (FL200-FL400 typical) | |
| 03 | Fuel State | MONITOR - CHECK JOKER FUEL | |
| 04 | Radar Search | SCANNING - MEDIUM PRF OR RWS | |
| 05 | RWR | MONITOR FOR THREATS | |
| 06 | IFF | ACTIVE - CHECK MODES | |
| 07 | Navigation | VERIFY STEERPOINT SEQUENCING |
PHS 13 — Descent / Approach7 steps
| 01 | ATIS / WeatherNOTE: Get current weather and active runway at recovery base. | OBTAINED | |
| 02 | TACAN | SET TO HOME BASE | |
| 03 | Altimeter | SET QNH | |
| 04 | RadarNOTE: Switch radar to standby approaching airfield to deconflict. | STANDBY | |
| 05 | Weapons | MASTER ARM SAFE | |
| 06 | Descent Speed | 300-350 KIAS | |
| 07 | Pattern Entry | BREAK AT 1,500 FT / 350 KIAS |
PHS 14 — Landing10 steps
| 01 | Landing GearCAUTION: Gear must be selected below 250 KIAS. | DOWN - 3 GREEN | |
| 02 | Speedbrake | CLOSED FOR APPROACH | |
| 03 | Approach SpeedNOTE: On-speed AoA approach. Speed varies with weight. | ~150-160 KIAS | |
| 04 | Arresting Hook | DOWN (if barrier engagement planned) | |
| 05 | Final Approach | 3 DEGREE GLIDESLOPE | |
| 06 | Touchdown | MAINS FIRST - ON CENTERLINE | |
| 07 | Throttles at Touchdown | IDLE | |
| 08 | Speedbrake | EXTEND AFTER TOUCHDOWN | |
| 09 | Brakes | APPLY AS REQUIRED | |
| 10 | Anti-skid | ACTIVE (do not pump brakes) |
PHS 15 — After Landing5 steps
| 01 | Speedbrake | IN / RETRACTED | |
| 02 | Radar | STANDBY | |
| 03 | IFF | STANDBY / OFF | |
| 04 | ECS / Air Conditioning | AS REQUIRED | |
| 05 | Taxi to Parking | FOLLOW MARSHALLER / TAXIWAY SIGNS |
PHS 16 — Shutdown8 steps
| 01 | Parking Brake | SET | |
| 02 | ThrottlesNOTE: Cool down engines before shutdown to prevent hot spots. | IDLE - ALLOW 2 MIN COOL DOWN | |
| 03 | Avionics | OFF (radar, IFF, radios) | |
| 04 | Left Throttle | OFF | |
| 05 | Right Throttle | OFF | |
| 06 | MAIN PWR Switch | OFF | |
| 07 | Battery | OFF | |
| 08 | Canopy | OPEN |