F-16C ViperDCS WORLD Startup Checklist · 122 steps

F-16C Viper

DCS WORLD - 0/122 STEPS

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F-16C Viper
U.S. Air Force / Wikimedia CommonsPublic Domain
Fighter4th Gen

AIRCRAFT BRIEF

The General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon - universally known as the 'Viper' - is the most numerous Western fighter in service, with over 4,600 built since 1976. Originally designed as a lightweight air superiority day fighter, it evolved into a versatile multirole aircraft. The Block 50/52 F-16C featured in DCS includes the APG-68 radar, HARM targeting system, and full precision strike capability.

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Startup Walkthrough

SPECIFICATIONS

manufacturerGeneral Dynamics (now Lockheed Martin)
first Flight1974
roleMultirole fighter
crew1 pilot
engines1x GE F110-GE-129 (29,500 lbf)
max Speed2,120 km/h (Mach 2.0)
range4,220 km (2,280 nmi)
ceiling50,000+ ft
weight21,772 kg (MTOW)
PHS 1 — Pre-Flight Planning8 steps
01Mission BriefNOTE: Review mission type, objectives, ROE, and threat environment.REVIEWED
02Weather BriefingNOTE: Check departure, target area, and recovery weather.REVIEWED
03NOTAMs / AirspaceNOTE: Check restricted areas, active MOAs, and NOTAM restrictions.REVIEWED
04Fuel Planning - Bingo / JokerNOTE: Calculate bingo fuel (min to RTB) and joker fuel (leave target area). Single-engine - fuel management is critical.SET
05Stores / LoadoutNOTE: Confirm weapons, pylons, pods, and external tanks match mission requirements.VERIFIED
06Steerpoints / DTCNOTE: Load Data Transfer Cartridge or manually enter steerpoints, targets, and threat locations.PROGRAMMED
07Radio Frequencies / IFFNOTE: Set UHF/VHF presets, HAVE QUICK settings. Confirm IFF modes and codes.SET
08Divert BasesNOTE: Know nearest divert fields, runway lengths, and approach frequencies.IDENTIFIED
PHS 2 — Electrical / Battery7 steps
01Main Power SwitchNOTE: Applies battery power to the aircraft.BATT
02CanopyCLOSE & LOCK
03Main Power SwitchMAIN PWR
04Oxygen SupplyON
05Fuel Master SwitchWARNING: Engine cannot receive fuel without this switch.MASTER (Guard Up)
06ENG FEED KnobNORM
07Cockpit LightsSET AS NEEDED
PHS 3 — INS Alignment3 steps
01INS KnobNOTE: Full alignment takes ~8 minutes. Use STOR HDG for faster align if GPS is available.NORM
02DED — INS PageNOTE: Wait for RDY or ALIGN OK on DED.MONITOR ALIGNMENT
03INS KnobNAV (when aligned)
PHS 4 — Engine Start7 steps
01JFS SwitchNOTE: JFS spins the engine. Use START 1 only if START 2 fails.START 2
02JFS RUN LightNOTE: Should illuminate within ~30 seconds.CHECK ON
03ThrottleCAUTION: Move to IDLE only after 20% RPM — early advance may cause hot start.IDLE (at 20% RPM)
04Engine InstrumentsWARNING: FTIT above 750°C — abort start immediately. Move throttle to OFF.MONITOR RPM, FTIT, Oil Pressure
05SEC Caution LightNOTE: If SEC light stays on, engine is in SEC mode — consider restart.CHECK OFF
06HYD/OIL PressCHECK — A & B in green range
07EPU Fuel QuantityCHECK 95-102%
PHS 5 — Post-Start / Avionics11 steps
01Avionics Power PanelNOTE: MMC, ST STA, MFD, UFC, GPS, DL, MAP — all to ON.ALL SWITCHES ON
02Left MFDON — Check DTE loaded
03Right MFDON
04HUDON — Check symbology
05FCRNOTE: Radar requires warm-up time.ON
06RWRON
07CMDSNOTE: Verify chaff/flare counts on CMDS page.ON — Set program
08IFF Master KnobNORM
09UHF / VHF RadiosSET FREQUENCIES
10TACANSET CHANNEL
11Probe HeatNOTE: Pitot heat — required for accurate airspeed.ON
PHS 6 — Before Taxi8 steps
01Flight ControlsCAUTION: Full stick and rudder deflection — verify correct surface movement.CYCLE & CHECK
02TrimSET TAKEOFF TRIM
03Speed BrakeCHECK — Extend & Retract
04NWSNOTE: AR/NWS button on stick — verify NWS engagement.ON
05Anti-SkidANTI-SKID
06AltimeterSET QNH / QFE
07Parking BrakeRELEASE
08Chocks / Ground CrewNOTE: Request ground crew to remove chocks.REMOVE / CLEAR
PHS 7 — Taxi5 steps
01Taxi LightON
02BrakesNOTE: Tap brakes briefly to verify response.CHECK during first movement
03NWSNOTE: Verify NWS steering tracks correctly.CHECK — responsive
04InstrumentsNOTE: HUD heading, ADI attitude — should track turns.CHECK during taxi
05Taxi SpeedCAUTION: Keep slow on ramp and taxiways.SAFE SPEED
PHS 8 — Before Takeoff14 steps
01Ejection SeatWARNING: Verify canopy closed and locked.CONFIRM ARMED
02CanopyCONFIRM CLOSED & LOCKED
03Flight ControlsCAUTION: Full stick circle, full forward/aft, full rudder L/R.VERIFIED (wipe controls)
04TrimSET for takeoff
05Speed BrakeCLOSED
06NWSENGAGED
07Anti-SkidANTI-SKID
08ECMAS REQUIRED
09Lights — LandingON
10Lights — StrobeON
11AltimeterNOTE: Verify.SET QNH
12Master ArmOFF
13Stores ConfigVERIFIED on SMS page
14EPUNOTE: Verify EPU fuel >95%.NORM
PHS 9 — Takeoff10 steps
01Lineup on RunwayCENTERLINE
02BrakesHOLD
03ThrottleNOTE: Check engine instruments, nozzle position ~3-4.MIL (100%)
04BrakesRELEASE
05ThrottleNOTE: Afterburner for heavy/hot conditions, finger lifts up.AB (if required)
06NWSMAINTAIN centerline
07At 130-150 KIASNOTE: Smooth backstick, 10-15° pitch up. Rotation speed varies with weight.ROTATE
08Positive ClimbCONFIRMED
09Landing GearNOTE: Gear speed limit 300 KIAS.UP
10CheckPOSITIVE CLIMB, airspeed increasing
PHS 10 — After Takeoff / Climb6 steps
01Landing GearCONFIRM UP
02AirspeedNOTE: 350 KIAS or 0.9 Mach typical.ACCELERATE to climb speed
03AltimeterNOTE: Set STD above transition altitude.CHECK
04PowerNOTE: MIL power or as required.SET for climb
05Lights — LandingOFF
06TrimADJUST as needed
PHS 11 — Cruise / Transit7 steps
01AltitudeAT assigned level
02PowerNOTE: F-16 typical cruise 0.85-0.9 Mach.SET cruise
03Fuel StateNOTE: Check total fuel and external tank feeding.MONITOR
04AutopilotNOTE: ALT HOLD and HDG SEL available on autopilot panel.ENGAGE (if desired)
05NavigationCHECK STEERPOINT on HUD and MFD
06FCRNOTE: Set appropriate radar mode.AS REQUIRED
07RWR / CMDSMONITOR
PHS 12 — Descent / Approach8 steps
01ATIS / Field InformationOBTAINED
02AltimeterSET local QNH
03ILS / TACANNOTE: Check bearing and DME.SET and IDENTIFIED
04AirspeedNOTE: 250-300 KIAS typical.REDUCE for pattern
05Landing GearDOWN (below 300 KIAS)
06Landing LightON
07Master ArmOFF
08Speed BrakeAS REQUIRED
PHS 13 — Landing7 steps
01Final Approach SpeedCAUTION: F-16 approaches are fast — maintain energy.NOTE: Varies with fuel/stores weight.160-170 KIAS
02TouchdownNOTE: Slight nose up attitude, main gear first.ON SPEED
03Speed BrakeEXTEND
04ThrottleIDLE
05Drag ChuteNOTE: Not available on all DCS variants.DEPLOY (if available)
06BrakingNOTE: Aerobrake initially, then wheel brakes below 100 kts.APPLY as required
07NWSENGAGED when below taxi speed
PHS 14 — After Landing6 steps
01Speed BrakeRETRACT
02Landing LightOFF
03StrobeOFF
04TransponderSTBY
05ECMOFF
06Taxi to ParkingNOTE: Use NWS for steering.NWS ENGAGED
PHS 15 — Shutdown15 steps
01Parking BrakeSET (or chocks in place)
02ThrottleOFF
03Ejection SeatWARNING: Safe the seat before anyone approaches the aircraft.SAFE
04Main Power SwitchMAIN PWR
05AvionicsNOTE: MMC, ST STA, MFD, UFC, GPS, DL, MAP all OFF.ALL OFF
06FCROFF
07RWROFF
08CMDSOFF
09Probe HeatOFF
10IFFOFF
11LightsALL OFF
12OxygenOFF
13Fuel MasterNOTE: Some operators leave in MASTER for quick turnaround.NORM (guard down)
14Main Power SwitchOFF
15CanopyOPEN (if desired)