DCS WORLD · Fighter
F-16C Viper Startup Checklist
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F-16C Viper Startup Notes
The Viper needs no ground cart: the Jet Fuel Starter spins the engine off hydraulic accumulators. Main power to MAIN PWR, JFS switch to START 2 (both accumulators), and when RPM passes 20 percent bring the throttle over the idle detent. The JFS drops offline by itself at roughly 55 percent RPM. After that it is mostly waiting: a NORM INS alignment takes about eight minutes, so start it immediately and build up the cockpit while the DED counts down.
The most common error is rotating the INS knob to NAV before alignment is actually complete - wait for the RDY flash on the DED or accept a degraded system. Pilots also miss the idle detent at 20 percent so the engine never lights, leave the canopy open or unlocked, and taxi mid-alignment, which trashes the INS. Work the left console flow top to bottom, treat 20 percent RPM as your cue, and let the eight minutes pass.
Common mistakes
- Switching INS to NAV before RDY flashes
- Missing the idle detent at 20 percent RPM
- Taxiing during alignment and degrading the INS
Related Aircraft
Pilot Tools for This Flight
FLIGHT2.0Checklist
F-16C ViperDCS WORLD · Startup Checklist · 122 steps · 15 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. | |
| 03 | NOTAMs / AirspaceREVIEWEDNOTE: Check restricted areas, active MOAs, and NOTAM restrictions. | |
| 04 | Fuel Planning - Bingo / JokerSETNOTE: Calculate bingo fuel (min to RTB) and joker fuel (leave target area). Single-engine - fuel management is critical. | |
| 05 | Stores / LoadoutVERIFIEDNOTE: Confirm weapons, pylons, pods, and external tanks match mission requirements. | |
| 06 | Steerpoints / DTCPROGRAMMEDNOTE: Load Data Transfer Cartridge or manually enter steerpoints, targets, and threat locations. | |
| 07 | Radio Frequencies / IFFSETNOTE: Set UHF/VHF presets, HAVE QUICK settings. Confirm IFF modes and codes. | |
| 08 | Divert BasesIDENTIFIEDNOTE: Know nearest divert fields, runway lengths, and approach frequencies. |
PHS 2 — Electrical / Battery7 steps
| 01 | Main Power SwitchBATTNOTE: Applies battery power to the aircraft. | |
| 02 | CanopyCLOSE & LOCK | |
| 03 | Main Power SwitchMAIN PWR | |
| 04 | Oxygen SupplyON | |
| 05 | Fuel Master SwitchMASTER (Guard Up)WARNING: Engine cannot receive fuel without this switch. | |
| 06 | ENG FEED KnobNORM | |
| 07 | Cockpit LightsSET AS NEEDED |
PHS 3 — INS Alignment3 steps
| 01 | INS KnobNORMNOTE: Full alignment takes ~8 minutes. Use STOR HDG for faster align if GPS is available. | |
| 02 | DED — INS PageMONITOR ALIGNMENTNOTE: Wait for RDY or ALIGN OK on DED. | |
| 03 | INS KnobNAV (when aligned) |
PHS 4 — Engine Start7 steps
| 01 | JFS SwitchSTART 2NOTE: JFS spins the engine. Use START 1 only if START 2 fails. | |
| 02 | JFS RUN LightCHECK ONNOTE: Should illuminate within ~30 seconds. | |
| 03 | ThrottleIDLE (at 20% RPM)CAUTION: Move to IDLE only after 20% RPM — early advance may cause hot start. | |
| 04 | Engine InstrumentsMONITOR RPM, FTIT, Oil PressureWARNING: FTIT above 750°C — abort start immediately. Move throttle to OFF. | |
| 05 | SEC Caution LightCHECK OFFNOTE: If SEC light stays on, engine is in SEC mode — consider restart. | |
| 06 | HYD/OIL PressCHECK — A & B in green range | |
| 07 | EPU Fuel QuantityCHECK 95-102% |
PHS 5 — Post-Start / Avionics11 steps
| 01 | Avionics Power PanelALL SWITCHES ONNOTE: MMC, ST STA, MFD, UFC, GPS, DL, MAP — all to ON. | |
| 02 | Left MFDON — Check DTE loaded | |
| 03 | Right MFDON | |
| 04 | HUDON — Check symbology | |
| 05 | FCRONNOTE: Radar requires warm-up time. | |
| 06 | RWRON | |
| 07 | CMDSON — Set programNOTE: Verify chaff/flare counts on CMDS page. | |
| 08 | IFF Master KnobNORM | |
| 09 | UHF / VHF RadiosSET FREQUENCIES | |
| 10 | TACANSET CHANNEL | |
| 11 | Probe HeatONNOTE: Pitot heat — required for accurate airspeed. |
PHS 6 — Before Taxi8 steps
| 01 | Flight ControlsCYCLE & CHECKCAUTION: Full stick and rudder deflection — verify correct surface movement. | |
| 02 | TrimSET TAKEOFF TRIM | |
| 03 | Speed BrakeCHECK — Extend & Retract | |
| 04 | NWSONNOTE: AR/NWS button on stick — verify NWS engagement. | |
| 05 | Anti-SkidANTI-SKID | |
| 06 | AltimeterSET QNH / QFE | |
| 07 | Parking BrakeRELEASE | |
| 08 | Chocks / Ground CrewREMOVE / CLEARNOTE: Request ground crew to remove chocks. |
PHS 7 — Taxi5 steps
| 01 | Taxi LightON | |
| 02 | BrakesCHECK during first movementNOTE: Tap brakes briefly to verify response. | |
| 03 | NWSCHECK — responsiveNOTE: Verify NWS steering tracks correctly. | |
| 04 | InstrumentsCHECK during taxiNOTE: HUD heading, ADI attitude — should track turns. | |
| 05 | Taxi SpeedSAFE SPEEDCAUTION: Keep slow on ramp and taxiways. |
PHS 8 — Before Takeoff14 steps
| 01 | Ejection SeatCONFIRM ARMEDWARNING: Verify canopy closed and locked. | |
| 02 | CanopyCONFIRM CLOSED & LOCKED | |
| 03 | Flight ControlsVERIFIED (wipe controls)CAUTION: Full stick circle, full forward/aft, full rudder L/R. | |
| 04 | TrimSET for takeoff | |
| 05 | Speed BrakeCLOSED | |
| 06 | NWSENGAGED | |
| 07 | Anti-SkidANTI-SKID | |
| 08 | ECMAS REQUIRED | |
| 09 | Lights — LandingON | |
| 10 | Lights — StrobeON | |
| 11 | AltimeterSET QNHNOTE: Verify. | |
| 12 | Master ArmOFF | |
| 13 | Stores ConfigVERIFIED on SMS page | |
| 14 | EPUNORMNOTE: Verify EPU fuel >95%. |
PHS 9 — Takeoff10 steps
| 01 | Lineup on RunwayCENTERLINE | |
| 02 | BrakesHOLD | |
| 03 | ThrottleMIL (100%)NOTE: Check engine instruments, nozzle position ~3-4. | |
| 04 | BrakesRELEASE | |
| 05 | ThrottleAB (if required)NOTE: Afterburner for heavy/hot conditions, finger lifts up. | |
| 06 | NWSMAINTAIN centerline | |
| 07 | At 130-150 KIASROTATENOTE: Smooth backstick, 10-15° pitch up. Rotation speed varies with weight. | |
| 08 | Positive ClimbCONFIRMED | |
| 09 | Landing GearUPNOTE: Gear speed limit 300 KIAS. | |
| 10 | CheckPOSITIVE CLIMB, airspeed increasing |
PHS 10 — After Takeoff / Climb6 steps
| 01 | Landing GearCONFIRM UP | |
| 02 | AirspeedACCELERATE to climb speedNOTE: 350 KIAS or 0.9 Mach typical. | |
| 03 | AltimeterCHECKNOTE: Set STD above transition altitude. | |
| 04 | PowerSET for climbNOTE: MIL power or as required. | |
| 05 | Lights — LandingOFF | |
| 06 | TrimADJUST as needed |
PHS 11 — Cruise / Transit7 steps
| 01 | AltitudeAT assigned level | |
| 02 | PowerSET cruiseNOTE: F-16 typical cruise 0.85-0.9 Mach. | |
| 03 | Fuel StateMONITORNOTE: Check total fuel and external tank feeding. | |
| 04 | AutopilotENGAGE (if desired)NOTE: ALT HOLD and HDG SEL available on autopilot panel. | |
| 05 | NavigationCHECK STEERPOINT on HUD and MFD | |
| 06 | FCRAS REQUIREDNOTE: Set appropriate radar mode. | |
| 07 | RWR / CMDSMONITOR |
PHS 12 — Descent / Approach8 steps
| 01 | ATIS / Field InformationOBTAINED | |
| 02 | AltimeterSET local QNH | |
| 03 | ILS / TACANSET and IDENTIFIEDNOTE: Check bearing and DME. | |
| 04 | AirspeedREDUCE for patternNOTE: 250-300 KIAS typical. | |
| 05 | Landing GearDOWN (below 300 KIAS) | |
| 06 | Landing LightON | |
| 07 | Master ArmOFF | |
| 08 | Speed BrakeAS REQUIRED |
PHS 13 — Landing7 steps
| 01 | Final Approach Speed160-170 KIASCAUTION: F-16 approaches are fast — maintain energy.NOTE: Varies with fuel/stores weight. | |
| 02 | TouchdownON SPEEDNOTE: Slight nose up attitude, main gear first. | |
| 03 | Speed BrakeEXTEND | |
| 04 | ThrottleIDLE | |
| 05 | Drag ChuteDEPLOY (if available)NOTE: Not available on all DCS variants. | |
| 06 | BrakingAPPLY as requiredNOTE: Aerobrake initially, then wheel brakes below 100 kts. | |
| 07 | NWSENGAGED when below taxi speed |
PHS 14 — After Landing6 steps
| 01 | Speed BrakeRETRACT | |
| 02 | Landing LightOFF | |
| 03 | StrobeOFF | |
| 04 | TransponderSTBY | |
| 05 | ECMOFF | |
| 06 | Taxi to ParkingNWS ENGAGEDNOTE: Use NWS for steering. |
PHS 15 — Shutdown15 steps
| 01 | Parking BrakeSET (or chocks in place) | |
| 02 | ThrottleOFF | |
| 03 | Ejection SeatSAFEWARNING: Safe the seat before anyone approaches the aircraft. | |
| 04 | Main Power SwitchMAIN PWR | |
| 05 | AvionicsALL OFFNOTE: MMC, ST STA, MFD, UFC, GPS, DL, MAP all OFF. | |
| 06 | FCROFF | |
| 07 | RWROFF | |
| 08 | CMDSOFF | |
| 09 | Probe HeatOFF | |
| 10 | IFFOFF | |
| 11 | LightsALL OFF | |
| 12 | OxygenOFF | |
| 13 | Fuel MasterNORM (guard down)NOTE: Some operators leave in MASTER for quick turnaround. | |
| 14 | Main Power SwitchOFF | |
| 15 | CanopyOPEN (if desired) |