MiG-21bis FishbedDCS WORLD Startup Checklist · 128 steps

MiG-21bis Fishbed

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MiG-21bis Fishbed
Wikimedia CommonsCC BY-SA 4.0
FighterCold War

AIRCRAFT BRIEF

The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 is the most-produced supersonic jet aircraft in history, with over 11,000 built across 60+ countries. The 'bis' variant, introduced in 1972, represented the ultimate evolution of the MiG-21 design with the powerful Tumansky R-25-300 engine featuring an emergency afterburner mode. Fast, agile, and unforgiving, it earned the nickname 'Balalaika' for its delta-wing shape and remains a favorite among DCS pilots for its challenging yet rewarding flight characteristics.

RANGE VISUALIZER

Startup Walkthrough

SPECIFICATIONS

manufacturerMikoyan-Gurevich
first Flight1972
roleInterceptor / Multirole fighter
crew1 pilot
engines1x Tumansky R-25-300 (15,653 lbf with AB)
max Speed2,175 km/h (Mach 2.1)
range1,470 km (794 nmi)
ceiling57,400 ft
weight10,050 kg (MTOW)
PHS 1 — Pre-Flight Planning8 steps
01Mission BriefNOTE: Review mission type, objectives, and threat environment.REVIEWED
02Weather BriefingNOTE: Check departure, operating area, and recovery weather. Delta wing limits low-speed handling.REVIEWED
03NOTAMs / AirspaceNOTE: Check restricted areas and airspace restrictions.REVIEWED
04Fuel Planning - BingoNOTE: Calculate minimum return fuel. Very limited internal fuel - every minute on afterburner counts.SET
05Stores / LoadoutNOTE: Confirm R-3S / R-13M / R-60 missiles, bombs, rockets, and external tank.VERIFIED
06Waypoints / NavigationNOTE: Prepare heading and distance data. Limited nav system - dead reckoning and ground control.PREPARED
07Radio Frequencies / IFFNOTE: Set R-832M radio presets and SRO-2 IFF codes.SET
08Divert BasesNOTE: Know nearest divert fields - limited fuel makes diversions critical.IDENTIFIED
PHS 2 — Electrical / Pre-Start8 steps
01ThrottleOFF
02Parking BrakeSET
03BatteryON
04Ground PowerCONNECT (if available)
05DC BusCHECK - Voltage normal
06Fuel SystemCHECK - Transfer pumps ON
07Fuel QuantityCHECK - Adequate
08Cone (Intake Shock Cone)CHECK - Retracted
PHS 3 — Engine Start8 steps
01Start SystemSELECT - Air start or electric
02Engine Start ButtonNOTE: Tumansky R-25-300 turbojet starts.PRESS
03RPMMONITOR - N1 rising
04ThrottleCAUTION: Advance gently - R-25 is sensitive to fuel flow.IDLE (at 25–30% RPM)
05EGTWARNING: EGT must not exceed 600°C during start.MONITOR
06Engine StabilizeCHECK - ~45% idle RPM
07Oil PressureCHECK - Normal
08Ground PowerDISCONNECT
PHS 4 — Post-Start / Systems10 steps
01GeneratorON
02AC InverterON
03Hydraulic PressureCHECK - Normal (both systems)
04Flight ControlsCYCLE - Stick and rudder full travel
05SAS (Stability Augmentation)ON - Pitch, Yaw
06ARU (Auto-throttle limiter)ON
07FlapsCHECK - Cycle and return
08Air BrakeCHECK - Extend and retract
09TrimSET - Takeoff
10NWSON
PHS 5 — Avionics / Navigation10 steps
01RSBN (Radio Nav)NOTE: Soviet short-range navigation system.ON - Set channel
02ARK (ADF)ON - Set frequency
03Radio (R-832)SET frequency
04SOD (IFF)ON
05SPO (RWR)NOTE: Sirena-3M radar warning receiver.ON
06ASP GunsightNOTE: Select fixed or gyro mode.ON - Set mode
07Radar (RP-22 Sapfir)NOTE: Allow warm-up before OPR.STBY
08AltimeterSET - Field elevation / QFE
09Gyro / KPP (ADI)SET - Cage and uncage
10ClockSET
PHS 6 — Before Taxi7 steps
01CanopyCLOSE & LOCK
02Ejection Seat (KM-1)WARNING: Verify canopy locked before arming.ARM
03Pitot HeatON
04Taxi LightON
05Anti-Collision LightON
06Parking BrakeRELEASE
07BrakesCHECK
PHS 7 — Taxi5 steps
01NWSCHECK responsive
02Taxi SpeedCAUTION: MiG-21 has poor forward visibility - taxi slowly.SAFE - max 15 kts
03InstrumentsCHECK during taxi
04Flight ControlsFREE & CORRECT
05BrakesCHECK - Both sides
PHS 8 — Before Takeoff10 steps
01CanopyCONFIRM LOCKED
02Ejection SeatCONFIRM ARMED
03FlapsNOTE: Flaps down for takeoff.SET - Takeoff (25°)
04TrimSET - Takeoff
05ConeCHECK - Retracted
06RadarOPR (if warm)
07AltimeterSET - Field elevation
08Fuel QuantityCHECK - Adequate
09Master ArmSAFE
10Drag ChuteNOTE: Verify drag chute is loaded and armed.ARMED
PHS 9 — Takeoff10 steps
01Lineup on RunwayCENTERLINE
02BrakesHOLD
03ThrottleNOTE: Check engine instruments.MIL POWER
04BrakesRELEASE
05ThrottleAFTERBURNER (if required)
06NWSMAINTAIN centerline
07RotationNOTE: Ease stick back - lift nose at ~270 km/h.ROTATE at 270–300 km/h
08Positive ClimbCONFIRMED
09Landing GearUP
10FlapsRETRACT (above 400 km/h)
PHS 10 — After Takeoff / Climb7 steps
01Landing GearCONFIRM UP
02FlapsCONFIRM RETRACTED
03AirspeedACCELERATE to 500–600 km/h
04ThrottleMIL or as required
05AltimeterCHECK
06Taxi / Landing LightsOFF
07Climb AltitudeAS ASSIGNED
PHS 11 — Cruise / Transit7 steps
01AltitudeAT assigned level
02AirspeedNOTE: Max Mach 2.1. Cruise ~900 km/h.AS REQUIRED
03Cone (Shock Cone)NOTE: Regulates engine airflow at supersonic speeds.CHECK - Auto extends above Mach 1.5
04AutopilotENGAGE (if desired)
05Fuel StateNOTE: MiG-21 has limited fuel - monitor closely.MONITOR
06Navigation (RSBN)CHECK
07SPO (RWR)MONITOR
PHS 12 — Descent / Approach8 steps
01AirspeedREDUCE below 600 km/h
02AltimeterSET - Local QFE
03RSBN / ARKSET approach aids
04Approach Speed~350 km/h (with flaps)
05Landing GearDOWN (below 500 km/h)
06FlapsDOWN - 45°
07Landing LightON
08Master ArmSAFE
PHS 13 — Landing6 steps
01Approach SpeedNOTE: Delta wing - higher approach speed.MAINTAIN ~330 km/h
02ThrottleIDLE at touchdown
03NosewheelLOWER gently
04Drag ChuteNOTE: Deploy immediately after touchdown.DEPLOY
05BrakingAPPLY
06NWSENGAGE below 150 km/h
PHS 14 — After Landing6 steps
01Drag ChuteJETTISON
02FlapsRETRACT
03RadarSTBY
04SOD (IFF)STBY
05Landing LightOFF
06Taxi to ParkingNWS ENGAGED
PHS 15 — Shutdown18 steps
01Parking BrakeSET
02Radar (Sapfir)OFF
03SPO (RWR)OFF
04SOD (IFF)OFF
05RadioOFF
06RSBNOFF
07ARK (ADF)OFF
08ASP GunsightOFF
09Ejection SeatWARNING: Safe seat before ground crew approach.SAFE
10ThrottleOFF
11SASOFF
12GeneratorOFF
13AC InverterOFF
14Fuel PumpsOFF
15Pitot HeatOFF
16All LightsOFF
17BatteryOFF
18CanopyOPEN