F/A-18C HornetDCS WORLD Startup Checklist · 130 steps

F/A-18C Hornet

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F/A-18C Hornet
U.S. Navy / Wikimedia CommonsPublic Domain
Fighter4th Gen

AIRCRAFT BRIEF

The McDonnell Douglas F/A-18C Hornet is a twin-engine, supersonic, all-weather multirole fighter. Entering service in 1983, it became the backbone of U.S. Navy and Marine Corps carrier aviation. The 'C' variant introduced night-attack capability and upgraded avionics. It has seen combat in every major U.S. conflict since Operation El Dorado Canyon in 1986.

Startup Walkthrough

SPECIFICATIONS

manufacturerMcDonnell Douglas (now Boeing)
first Flight1978
roleMultirole fighter
crew1 pilot
engines2x GE F404-GE-402 (17,700 lbf each)
max Speed1,915 km/h (Mach 1.8)
range2,537 km (1,370 nmi)
ceiling50,000 ft
weight23,541 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. Note ceiling and visibility for approach.REVIEWED
03NOTAMs / AirspaceNOTE: Check restricted areas, active MOAs, and NOTAM restrictions.REVIEWED
04Fuel Planning — Bingo / JokerNOTE: Calculate bingo fuel (minimum to return to base) and joker fuel (time to leave target area).SET
05Stores / LoadoutNOTE: Confirm weapons, pylons, pods, and fuel tanks match mission requirements.VERIFIED
06Waypoints / NavigationNOTE: Review steerpoints, IP, target coordinates, and bullseye reference.PROGRAMMED
07Radio Frequencies / IFFNOTE: Set primary, secondary, guard frequencies. Confirm IFF/SIF codes.SET
08Divert BasesNOTE: Know nearest divert fields, runway lengths, and approach frequencies.IDENTIFIED
PHS 2 — Electrical / Battery9 steps
01Battery SwitchON
02External PowerNOTE: Use external power to save battery during alignment.CONNECT (if available)
03Fire Test A & BNOTE: Hold each position and check for FIRE caution messages.TEST — Verify audio warnings
04APU SwitchCAUTION: Wait for APU READY light before proceeding.ON
05APU GeneratorON
06Right DDION — Check BIT page
07Left DDION
08AMPCD (Center Display)ON
09HUD BrightnessSET
PHS 3 — INS Alignment3 steps
01INS KnobNOTE: Align takes ~4 minutes for fine quality.GND (Ground Align)
02HSI / SA PageNOTE: Wait for quality 10 (fine) before taxi.MONITOR ALIGNMENT
03INS KnobIFA (when aligned)
PHS 4 — Engine Start8 steps
01Right Engine CrankNOTE: Hold until ~25% N2, then release.PRESS & HOLD
02Throttle (Right)CAUTION: Advance only after 25% N2 — early advance risks hot start.IDLE (at 25% N2)
03Right EngineWARNING: Hot start: EGT above 750°C — abort immediately.MONITOR EGT & RPM
04Left Engine CrankPRESS & HOLD
05Throttle (Left)IDLE (at 25% N2)
06Left EngineMONITOR EGT & RPM
07APUOFF (after both engines stable)
08External PowerDISCONNECT
PHS 5 — Post-Start / Systems19 steps
01Generator SwitchesON (Both)
02Bleed AirNORM (after RPM >60%)
03OBOGS ControlON
04FCS ResetNOTE: Reset flight control system after power-up.PRESS
05FCS BITNOTE: Flaps AUTO during BIT, then set for takeoff after.RUN — Verify no faults
06RadarNOTE: Select on RDDI — allow warm-up.OPR
07RWRON
08CMDSON — Set program
09IFFSET (Mode 4 ON)
10RadiosSET FREQUENCIES
11TACANSET CHANNEL
12Flight ControlsCAUTION: Full stick and rudder deflection — check surfaces visually.CYCLE & CHECK
13TrimSET TAKEOFF TRIM
14FlapsHALF (Takeoff)
15Ejection SeatWARNING: Ensure canopy is clear before arming.ARM
16NWSON
17Anti-SkidON
18CanopyCLOSE & LOCK
19Parking BrakeRELEASE
PHS 6 — Taxi6 steps
01Taxi LightON
02Parking BrakeRELEASE
03BrakesNOTE: Tap brakes briefly to verify response.CHECK during first movement
04NWSNOTE: Use NWS HI for tight turns on the ramp.CHECK — responsive
05InstrumentsNOTE: HUD, HSI heading, attitude — should track turns.CHECK during taxi
06Taxi SpeedCAUTION: Keep slow on ramp and taxiways.SAFE SPEED
PHS 7 — Before Takeoff13 steps
01Ejection SeatWARNING: Verify canopy closed and locked.CONFIRM ARMED
02CanopyCONFIRM CLOSED & LOCKED
03FlapsHALF
04TrimNOTE: Sets stabilators to correct takeoff trim.TAKEOFF (press T/O TRIM button)
05Launch BarUP (shore takeoff)
06NWSENGAGED
07Anti-SkidON
08Lights — Taxi LightON
09Lights — Position / FormationAS REQUIRED
10Lights — StrobeON
11AltimeterSET (field elevation or 200 ft for radar alt)
12BINGO FuelNOTE: Set minimum fuel for return to base.SET
13Weapon StationsNOTE: Master Arm should be in SAFE for takeoff.SAFE
PHS 8 — Takeoff (Shore)10 steps
01Lineup on RunwayCENTERLINE
02BrakesHOLD
03ThrottleCAUTION: Wipe controls before releasing brakes (full stick circle, full forward/aft, full rudder L/R).NOTE: Check engine instruments stabilize.MIL (100%)
04BrakesRELEASE
05ThrottleNOTE: Lift finger lifts to go past MIL to AB.AFTERBURNER (if required)
06NWSMAINTAIN centerline
07At Rotation SpeedNOTE: Rotation speed varies with weight (~130 kts typical).BACKSTICK — pitch 8-10° nose up
08Positive ClimbCONFIRMED
09Landing GearUP
10FlapsAUTO
PHS 9 — After Takeoff / Climb6 steps
01Landing GearCONFIRM UP
02FlapsCONFIRM AUTO
03AltimeterNOTE: Set STD above transition altitude.CHECK
04AirspeedNOTE: Mil power or as required.ACCELERATE to climb speed (~300 kts)
05Climb AltitudeAS ASSIGNED
06Lights — Landing / TaxiOFF
PHS 10 — Cruise / Transit7 steps
01AltitudeAT assigned level
02AirspeedNOTE: ~0.75-0.85 Mach typical.AS REQUIRED
03AutopilotNOTE: Altitude hold, heading hold available.ENGAGE (if desired)
04Fuel StateNOTE: Check fuel quantity and balance.MONITOR
05NavigationCHECK waypoints on HSI/SA
06RadarNOTE: Set appropriate mode for mission.AS REQUIRED
07ECM / RWRMONITOR
PHS 11 — Descent / Approach11 steps
01ATIS / Field InformationNOTE: Note QNH, winds, active runway.OBTAINED
02AltimeterSET local QNH
03AirspeedREDUCE below 350 kts
04ILS / TACANNOTE: Set ICLS if available for precision approach.SET and IDENTIFIED
05Radar AltimeterSET to field elevation or 200 ft
06Approach SpeedNOTE: On-speed AoA 8.1° (donut on AoA indexer).~150 KIAS on-speed
07Landing GearDOWN (below 250 KIAS)
08FlapsNOTE: Set below 250 KIAS.FULL
09HookDOWN (carrier only)
10Landing / Taxi LightsON
11Master ArmSAFE
PHS 12 — Landing (Shore)6 steps
01On-Speed AoACAUTION: Do not flare — fly the jet onto the runway.NOTE: Center the E-bracket on HUD.MAINTAIN 8.1°
02ThrottleNOTE: Hornet does not flare like civilian aircraft.IDLE at touchdown
03NosewheelLOWER gently
04Speed BrakeEXTEND
05BrakingNOTE: Use differential braking to maintain centerline.APPLY
06NWSENGAGED when below 100 kts
PHS 13 — After Landing7 steps
01FlapsAUTO
02Speed BrakeRETRACT
03HookUP
04Landing / Taxi LightsAS REQUIRED
05RadarSTBY
06TransponderSTBY
07Taxi to ParkingNOTE: Use NWS HI for tight turns.NWS ENGAGED
PHS 14 — Shutdown17 steps
01Parking BrakeSET
02Throttle (Left)OFF
03Throttle (Right)OFF
04Ejection SeatWARNING: Safe the seat before any personnel approach aircraft.SAFE
05OBOGSOFF
06CMDSOFF
07RWROFF
08RadarOFF
09Bleed AirOFF
10INSOFF
11RadiosOFF
12LightsALL OFF
13HUD / DDIs / AMPCDOFF
14Generator SwitchesOFF
15APUOFF
16BatteryOFF
17CanopyOPEN (if desired)