DCS WORLD · Fighter
F/A-18C Hornet Startup Checklist
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F/A-18C Hornet Startup Notes
The Hornet is one of the friendlier cold starts in DCS because the jet is nearly self-sufficient. Battery on, APU on, and wait for the green APU READY light before touching anything else. The ENG CRANK switch goes to R first - the right engine powers the essential systems and provides crossbleed air for the left engine start. While the motors spool, set the INS knob to GND (CV on the boat) and let the roughly four minute alignment run while you build up the rest of the jet.
The classic mistake is leaving the INS in alignment mode: the jet flies fine, but your HSI and weapons data are garbage until you rotate the knob to NAV once alignment quality is good. Pilots also try to crank before the APU READY light is on, rush the throttle to idle before RPM is high enough, and skip T/O TRIM and the FCS checks. Wait for the light, be patient on RPM, and set flaps to HALF before you take the runway.
Common mistakes
- Forgetting to rotate the INS knob from GND to NAV
- Cranking the engine before the APU READY light
- Skipping T/O TRIM and taking off with flaps AUTO
Related Aircraft
Pilot Tools for This Flight
FLIGHT2.0Checklist
F/A-18C HornetDCS WORLD · Startup Checklist · 130 steps · 14 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 / Battery9 steps
| 01 | Battery SwitchON | |
| 02 | External PowerCONNECT (if available)NOTE: Use external power to save battery during alignment. | |
| 03 | Fire Test A & BTEST — Verify audio warningsNOTE: Hold each position and check for FIRE caution messages. | |
| 04 | APU SwitchONCAUTION: Wait for APU READY light before proceeding. | |
| 05 | APU GeneratorON | |
| 06 | Right DDION — Check BIT page | |
| 07 | Left DDION | |
| 08 | AMPCD (Center Display)ON | |
| 09 | HUD BrightnessSET |
PHS 3 — INS Alignment3 steps
| 01 | INS KnobGND (Ground Align)NOTE: Align takes ~4 minutes for fine quality. | |
| 02 | HSI / SA PageMONITOR ALIGNMENTNOTE: Wait for quality 10 (fine) before taxi. | |
| 03 | INS KnobIFA (when aligned) |
PHS 4 — Engine Start8 steps
| 01 | Right Engine CrankPRESS & HOLDNOTE: Hold until ~25% N2, then release. | |
| 02 | Throttle (Right)IDLE (at 25% N2)CAUTION: Advance only after 25% N2 — early advance risks hot start. | |
| 03 | Right EngineMONITOR EGT & RPMWARNING: Hot start: EGT above 750°C — abort immediately. | |
| 04 | Left Engine CrankPRESS & HOLD | |
| 05 | Throttle (Left)IDLE (at 25% N2) | |
| 06 | Left EngineMONITOR EGT & RPM | |
| 07 | APUOFF (after both engines stable) | |
| 08 | External PowerDISCONNECT |
PHS 5 — Post-Start / Systems19 steps
| 01 | Generator SwitchesON (Both) | |
| 02 | Bleed AirNORM (after RPM >60%) | |
| 03 | OBOGS ControlON | |
| 04 | FCS ResetPRESSNOTE: Reset flight control system after power-up. | |
| 05 | FCS BITRUN — Verify no faultsNOTE: Flaps AUTO during BIT, then set for takeoff after. | |
| 06 | RadarOPRNOTE: Select on RDDI — allow warm-up. | |
| 07 | RWRON | |
| 08 | CMDSON — Set program | |
| 09 | IFFSET (Mode 4 ON) | |
| 10 | RadiosSET FREQUENCIES | |
| 11 | TACANSET CHANNEL | |
| 12 | Flight ControlsCYCLE & CHECKCAUTION: Full stick and rudder deflection — check surfaces visually. | |
| 13 | TrimSET TAKEOFF TRIM | |
| 14 | FlapsHALF (Takeoff) | |
| 15 | Ejection SeatARMWARNING: Ensure canopy is clear before arming. | |
| 16 | NWSON | |
| 17 | Anti-SkidON | |
| 18 | CanopyCLOSE & LOCK | |
| 19 | Parking BrakeRELEASE |
PHS 6 — Taxi6 steps
| 01 | Taxi LightON | |
| 02 | Parking BrakeRELEASE | |
| 03 | BrakesCHECK during first movementNOTE: Tap brakes briefly to verify response. | |
| 04 | NWSCHECK — responsiveNOTE: Use NWS HI for tight turns on the ramp. | |
| 05 | InstrumentsCHECK during taxiNOTE: HUD, HSI heading, attitude — should track turns. | |
| 06 | Taxi SpeedSAFE SPEEDCAUTION: Keep slow on ramp and taxiways. |
PHS 7 — Before Takeoff13 steps
| 01 | Ejection SeatCONFIRM ARMEDWARNING: Verify canopy closed and locked. | |
| 02 | CanopyCONFIRM CLOSED & LOCKED | |
| 03 | FlapsHALF | |
| 04 | TrimTAKEOFF (press T/O TRIM button)NOTE: Sets stabilators to correct takeoff trim. | |
| 05 | Launch BarUP (shore takeoff) | |
| 06 | NWSENGAGED | |
| 07 | Anti-SkidON | |
| 08 | Lights — Taxi LightON | |
| 09 | Lights — Position / FormationAS REQUIRED | |
| 10 | Lights — StrobeON | |
| 11 | AltimeterSET (field elevation or 200 ft for radar alt) | |
| 12 | BINGO FuelSETNOTE: Set minimum fuel for return to base. | |
| 13 | Weapon StationsSAFENOTE: Master Arm should be in SAFE for takeoff. |
PHS 8 — Takeoff (Shore)10 steps
| 01 | Lineup on RunwayCENTERLINE | |
| 02 | BrakesHOLD | |
| 03 | ThrottleMIL (100%)CAUTION: Wipe controls before releasing brakes (full stick circle, full forward/aft, full rudder L/R).NOTE: Check engine instruments stabilize. | |
| 04 | BrakesRELEASE | |
| 05 | ThrottleAFTERBURNER (if required)NOTE: Lift finger lifts to go past MIL to AB. | |
| 06 | NWSMAINTAIN centerline | |
| 07 | At Rotation SpeedBACKSTICK — pitch 8-10° nose upNOTE: Rotation speed varies with weight (~130 kts typical). | |
| 08 | Positive ClimbCONFIRMED | |
| 09 | Landing GearUP | |
| 10 | FlapsAUTO |
PHS 9 — After Takeoff / Climb6 steps
| 01 | Landing GearCONFIRM UP | |
| 02 | FlapsCONFIRM AUTO | |
| 03 | AltimeterCHECKNOTE: Set STD above transition altitude. | |
| 04 | AirspeedACCELERATE to climb speed (~300 kts)NOTE: Mil power or as required. | |
| 05 | Climb AltitudeAS ASSIGNED | |
| 06 | Lights — Landing / TaxiOFF |
PHS 10 — Cruise / Transit7 steps
| 01 | AltitudeAT assigned level | |
| 02 | AirspeedAS REQUIREDNOTE: ~0.75-0.85 Mach typical. | |
| 03 | AutopilotENGAGE (if desired)NOTE: Altitude hold, heading hold available. | |
| 04 | Fuel StateMONITORNOTE: Check fuel quantity and balance. | |
| 05 | NavigationCHECK waypoints on HSI/SA | |
| 06 | RadarAS REQUIREDNOTE: Set appropriate mode for mission. | |
| 07 | ECM / RWRMONITOR |
PHS 11 — Descent / Approach11 steps
| 01 | ATIS / Field InformationOBTAINEDNOTE: Note QNH, winds, active runway. | |
| 02 | AltimeterSET local QNH | |
| 03 | AirspeedREDUCE below 350 kts | |
| 04 | ILS / TACANSET and IDENTIFIEDNOTE: Set ICLS if available for precision approach. | |
| 05 | Radar AltimeterSET to field elevation or 200 ft | |
| 06 | Approach Speed~150 KIAS on-speedNOTE: On-speed AoA 8.1° (donut on AoA indexer). | |
| 07 | Landing GearDOWN (below 250 KIAS) | |
| 08 | FlapsFULLNOTE: Set below 250 KIAS. | |
| 09 | HookDOWN (carrier only) | |
| 10 | Landing / Taxi LightsON | |
| 11 | Master ArmSAFE |
PHS 12 — Landing (Shore)6 steps
| 01 | On-Speed AoAMAINTAIN 8.1°CAUTION: Do not flare — fly the jet onto the runway.NOTE: Center the E-bracket on HUD. | |
| 02 | ThrottleIDLE at touchdownNOTE: Hornet does not flare like civilian aircraft. | |
| 03 | NosewheelLOWER gently | |
| 04 | Speed BrakeEXTEND | |
| 05 | BrakingAPPLYNOTE: Use differential braking to maintain centerline. | |
| 06 | NWSENGAGED when below 100 kts |
PHS 13 — After Landing7 steps
| 01 | FlapsAUTO | |
| 02 | Speed BrakeRETRACT | |
| 03 | HookUP | |
| 04 | Landing / Taxi LightsAS REQUIRED | |
| 05 | RadarSTBY | |
| 06 | TransponderSTBY | |
| 07 | Taxi to ParkingNWS ENGAGEDNOTE: Use NWS HI for tight turns. |
PHS 14 — Shutdown17 steps
| 01 | Parking BrakeSET | |
| 02 | Throttle (Left)OFF | |
| 03 | Throttle (Right)OFF | |
| 04 | Ejection SeatSAFEWARNING: Safe the seat before any personnel approach aircraft. | |
| 05 | OBOGSOFF | |
| 06 | CMDSOFF | |
| 07 | RWROFF | |
| 08 | RadarOFF | |
| 09 | Bleed AirOFF | |
| 10 | INSOFF | |
| 11 | RadiosOFF | |
| 12 | LightsALL OFF | |
| 13 | HUD / DDIs / AMPCDOFF | |
| 14 | Generator SwitchesOFF | |
| 15 | APUOFF | |
| 16 | BatteryOFF | |
| 17 | CanopyOPEN (if desired) |