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DCS WORLD · Fighter
Fw 190 D-9 Dora Startup Checklist
Fw 190 D-9 Dora Startup Notes
The Dora start is all about the circuit breaker panels and the inertia starter. Open the breaker panel and push in all eight forward breakers (battery A6, generator A4, instruments/starter V24, FuG 16ZY, FuG 25a, pitot heat, landing gear E16, flaps/trim/horizon V350), then the second row for the fuel pumps E14 and E13 plus E96 for MW-50. Set the fuel selector AUF, magnetos to M1+M2, and the throttle into the ANLASSEN start detent. One trap catches everyone: the green landing gear OFF button must be ON before power-up, or the gear retracts the moment the electrics come alive.
Flip the starter cover and hold the starter switch down for about 20 seconds while the flywheel spins up, then pull it up and hold until the Jumo fires. Warm-up discipline matters more here than in most warbirds: keep the radiator flaps closed and run 1000-1200 RPM until the oil reaches 40 C, then about 1800 RPM until coolant shows 60-70 C. Taxi and takeoff are done with the cooling flaps fully open (AUF), and the tailwheel has to be unlocked with a push forward on the stick before the Dora will turn. The Bediengerat handles pitch, mixture and blower automatically, so your only in-flight engine chores are the throttle, the MW-50 switch and watching coolant and oil temperatures.
Common mistakes
- Forgetting the green gear OFF button, so the gear collapses when power comes on
- Pulling the starter before the inertia flywheel has fully spun up
- Taxiing or taking off with cold oil and coolant, or with the radiator flaps closed
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Pilot Tools for This Flight
FLIGHT2.17.0Checklist
Fw 190 D-9 DoraDCS WORLD · Startup Checklist · 102 steps · 17 phases
PHS 1 - Pre-Flight Planning7 steps
| 01 | Mission BriefREVIEWEDNOTE: Review mission, interception doctrine, and energy (dive-and-zoom) tactics. | |
| 02 | Weather BriefingREVIEWEDNOTE: Check visibility, cloud cover, icing. Use pitot and windshield heat in icing. | |
| 03 | NOTAMs / AirspaceREVIEWED | |
| 04 | Fuel PlanningSETNOTE: Internal fuel 524 L (232 L front + 292 L rear). 300 L drop tank optional. MW-50 tank 115 L. | |
| 05 | WeaponsVERIFIEDNOTE: 2x MG 151/20 20mm (250 rpg) + 2x MG 131 13mm (475 rpg). R4M, WGr.21, or bombs optional. | |
| 06 | Radio FrequenciesSETNOTE: FuG 16ZY channels: I (squadron), II (group), delta (ATC). | |
| 07 | Divert BasesIDENTIFIED |
PHS 2 - Cockpit Preparation5 steps
| 01 | Seat HarnessFASTENED TIGHT | |
| 02 | Rudder PedalsFULL AND FREE TRAVEL - CENTERED | |
| 03 | Oxygen ValveOPEN - CHECK FLOW AND PRESSURE | |
| 04 | Landing Gear OFF Button (green)ONWARNING: If not set ON, the landing gear will retract when electrical power is applied. | |
| 05 | AltimeterSET QFE (0 AT FIELD ELEVATION) |
PHS 3 - Electrical Power4 steps
| 01 | Circuit Breaker PanelOPEN | |
| 02 | Forward Circuit BreakersALL ON (IN)NOTE: A6 Battery, A4 Generator, V24 Instruments/Starter, F136 FuG 16ZY, F211 FuG 25a, D1 Pitot Heat, E16 Gear, V350 Flaps/Trim/Horizon. | |
| 03 | InstrumentsPOWERED - CHECK GAUGES | |
| 04 | Fuel QuantityCHECKED BOTH TANKSNOTE: Toggle gauge selector VORN (front) / HINTEN (rear). |
PHS 4 - Engine Start11 steps
| 01 | MBG Emergency HandlePUSHED IN (AUTOMATIC MODE) | |
| 02 | Magneto SwitchM1+M2 | |
| 03 | Fuel Tank SelectorAUF (OPEN - FULLY UP) | |
| 04 | Fuel Pump Breakers (E14 + E13)ON (IN)NOTE: Also E85 if a drop tank is fitted. | |
| 05 | MW-50 Power (E96)ON (IN)NOTE: Confirm MW/B4 selector matches tank contents (MW-50 or fuel). | |
| 06 | CanopyCLOSED | |
| 07 | ThrottleANLASSEN (START-IDLE) DETENT | |
| 08 | Starter CoverFLIP OPEN | |
| 09 | Starter SwitchHOLD DOWN ~15-25 SECNOTE: Inertia flywheel spins up. Jumo 213A-1 inline engine. | |
| 10 | Starter SwitchPULL UP AND HOLD - ENGINE FIRES | |
| 11 | Oil PressureRISING - 3-13 kg/cm2WARNING: No oil pressure after start - shut down immediately to prevent engine seizure. |
PHS 5 - Post-Start / Avionics9 steps
| 01 | Engine Warmup1000-1200 RPM UNTIL OIL 40 CNOTE: Keep radiator flaps closed during warmup to speed it up. | |
| 02 | Engine Warmup~1800 RPM UNTIL COOLANT 60-70 CCAUTION: Do not taxi or take off cold. Normal range: oil 110-130 C, coolant 70-120 C. | |
| 03 | Artificial HorizonUNCAGED (Fest TO Los) | |
| 04 | Gunsight (EZ42) GyroONNOTE: Gyro needs ~1.5 min to spin up before combat use. | |
| 05 | Radio (FuG 16ZY)Ft MODE - FREQUENCY AS BRIEFED | |
| 06 | IFF (FuG 25a)ON | |
| 07 | AltimeterQFE CONFIRMED | |
| 08 | Flaps (Landeklappen)START (10 DEG) - VERIFY WING INDICATOR | |
| 09 | Stabilizer Trim0 DEG |
PHS 6 - Guns / Weapons Check2 steps
| 01 | Master Arm (GRUPPE) SwitchesOFF (DOWN) | |
| 02 | Ammo CountersCHECKEDNOTE: MG 151 and MG 131 counters on the instrument panel. |
PHS 7 - Before Taxi4 steps
| 01 | Radiator Flaps (Kühlerklappen)FULLY OPEN (AUF)CAUTION: Taxi and takeoff only with fully open cooling flaps - the Jumo overheats quickly on the ground. | |
| 02 | Oil / Coolant TemperaturesOIL > 40 C / COOLANT > 60 C MINIMUM | |
| 03 | Flight ControlsFREE AND CORRECT | |
| 04 | Wheel ChocksREMOVED (GROUND CREW) |
PHS 8 - Taxi4 steps
| 01 | TailwheelUNLOCK - PUSH STICK FORWARDNOTE: Tailwheel locks straight with stick aft; push forward ~3 cm to unlock for turning. | |
| 02 | BrakesCHECK - SHORT TAPS, DIFFERENTIAL | |
| 03 | S-TURNSWEAVE DURING TAXI - LIMITED FORWARD VISNOTE: Long Jumo nose blocks forward view. Weave continuously. | |
| 04 | Taxi Speed15-20 KM/H MAXNOTE: Keep taxi time short and brake use minimal to limit coolant vaporization and brake heat. |
PHS 9 - Before Takeoff8 steps
| 01 | CanopyCLOSED AND LATCHED | |
| 02 | FlapsSTART POSITION - AMBER LIGHT | |
| 03 | Stabilizer Trim0 DEG | |
| 04 | Radiator FlapsFULLY OPEN (AUF) - CONFIRM | |
| 05 | Landing Gear Safety CoverUP | |
| 06 | Fuel PumpsBOTH ON - GAUGE TO REAR TANK | |
| 07 | Course SetterSET TO DEPARTURE / RUNWAY HEADING | |
| 08 | Pitot HeatON IF ICING CONDITIONS |
PHS 10 - Takeoff7 steps
| 01 | StickFULL AFT - TAILWHEEL LOCKED | |
| 02 | Engine Runup2000 THEN 2500 RPM - GAUGES IN LIMITS | |
| 03 | ThrottleSMOOTHLY TO 3250 RPMWARNING: Avoid sudden throttle bursts. Do not exceed 3,300 RPM on takeoff. | |
| 04 | Tail Rise170-180 KM/H - CENTER STICKNOTE: Let the tail rise gently; watch propeller ground clearance. | |
| 05 | Rotate~200 KM/H | |
| 06 | GearUP BEFORE 250 KM/H - RED EIN LIGHTNOTE: Tap brakes briefly before retraction to stop wheel spin. | |
| 07 | FlapsUP (EIN) BEFORE 250 KM/H |
PHS 11 - After Takeoff / Climb5 steps
| 01 | Radiator FlapsAUTOMATIC (HALF-WAY AUF/ZU) | |
| 02 | Climb Power3250 RPMNOTE: Takeoff/climb power limited to 30 min. Throttle back to 3000 RPM at safe altitude. | |
| 03 | Climb Speed280-290 KM/H IAS | |
| 04 | SuperchargerAUTO - BLOWER SWITCHES ~3,300 MNOTE: Avoid cruising or frequent altitude changes around the switch altitude. | |
| 05 | TemperaturesCOOLANT ~100-110 C IN CLIMB - CHECK OIL |
PHS 12 - Cruise5 steps
| 01 | Cruise Power3000 RPM MAX CONTINUOUSNOTE: Economy settings: 2700 / 2400 / 2100 RPM for range. | |
| 02 | Coolant Temperature~100 C - ADJUST RADIATOR AS REQUIRED | |
| 03 | Fuel ManagementREAR TANK FIRST - WATCH WARNING LIGHTSNOTE: Front tank red lamp ~80-100 L remaining (~15 min at economy). Rear tank white lamp ~10 L. | |
| 04 | OxygenON ABOVE 4,000 M | |
| 05 | Drop TankJETTISON WHEN EMPTYNOTE: Fuel selector to AUF and E85 pump OFF before pulling the RUMPFLAST handle. |
PHS 13 - Combat5 steps
| 01 | MW-50 SwitchEIN FOR EMERGENCY POWERCAUTION: Monitor MW-50 pressure gauge. Boost gain fades above 6,000 m; 115 L lasts ~40 min. | |
| 02 | MBG Emergency HandlePULL ONLY IF REQUIRED (NOTZUG)WARNING: In Notzug mode never exceed 1.55 ATA or 2,700 RPM. | |
| 03 | Gunsight (EZ42)WINGSPAN + RANGE SETNOTE: Fighter 11.2 m, bomber 31.6 m. Set 600 m convergence with the throttle twist grip. | |
| 04 | Master Arm (GRUPPE)UP - WEAPONS ARMED | |
| 05 | Max Dive Speed850 KM/H AT 2 KM (SEE ASI PLACARD)CAUTION: VNE decreases with altitude: 800 km/h at 3 km, 700 at 5 km, 600 at 7 km, 500 at 9 km. |
PHS 14 - Descent / Approach5 steps
| 01 | AltimeterSET QFE | |
| 02 | MW-50 SwitchAUS (OFF) | |
| 03 | WeaponsSAFE | |
| 04 | Coolant TemperatureKEEP ABOVE 60 C IN DESCENTNOTE: Clear the engine periodically during long glides to prevent plug fouling. | |
| 05 | SpeedREDUCE TO ~300 KM/H |
PHS 15 - Landing8 steps
| 01 | GearDOWN (AUS) BELOW 250 KM/H - GREEN LIGHTCAUTION: Gear and flap limit 250 km/h. Check wing marker pins. | |
| 02 | FlapsLAND (AUS - 60 DEG) BELOW 250 KM/H | |
| 03 | Radiator FlapsOPEN (AUF) | |
| 04 | Approach Speed220 KM/H | |
| 05 | Threshold Speed~200 KM/H | |
| 06 | Touchdown160-180 KM/H - THROTTLE IDLE | |
| 07 | TailwheelLOCK BELOW 100 KM/H - STICK AFT | |
| 08 | BrakesGENTLE TAPS AS RUDDER FADES |
PHS 16 - After Landing4 steps
| 01 | FlapsUP (EIN) | |
| 02 | Radiator FlapsFULLY OPEN (AUF) | |
| 03 | Pitot HeatOFF | |
| 04 | WeaponsSAFE CONFIRMED |
PHS 17 - Shutdown9 steps
| 01 | Wheel BrakesHOLD | |
| 02 | Engine Cooldown1600-2000 RPM - COOLANT BELOW 120 CCAUTION: Stopping the engine above 120 C coolant causes coolant loss. Let it cool first. | |
| 03 | MagnetosCYCLE M1 / M2 AT 1200 RPM - BACK TO M1+M2 | |
| 04 | ThrottlePAST IDLE DETENT - ENGINE STOP | |
| 05 | MagnetosOFF | |
| 06 | Fuel Pumps (E14 / E13 / E85)OFF | |
| 07 | Fuel Tank SelectorZU (CLOSED) | |
| 08 | Electrical SystemOFF (BATTERY LAST) | |
| 09 | CanopyOPEN |