SA342 GazelleDCS WORLD Startup Checklist · 72 steps
SA342 Gazelle
DCS WORLD - 0/72 STEPS
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RotaryCold War
AIRCRAFT BRIEF
The Aerospatiale SA 342 Gazelle is a French light utility helicopter that entered service in 1973. It features a distinctive fenestron (shrouded tail rotor) and a rigid rotor system that gives it excellent maneuverability. Armed variants have seen combat in numerous conflicts from the Falklands to the Gulf War, carrying HOT anti-tank missiles, Mistral air-to-air missiles, or 20mm gun pods.
RANGE VISUALIZER
SPECIFICATIONS
manufacturerAerospatiale (Airbus Helicopters)
first Flight1967
roleLight utility / scout / anti-tank helicopter
crew1-2 pilots + up to 3 passengers
engines1x Turbomeca Astazou XIVH (870 shp)
max Speed310 km/h (167 kts)
range670 km (362 nmi)
ceiling16,400 ft
weight2,100 kg (MTOW)
PHS 1 — Pre-Flight Planning7 steps
| 01 | Mission BriefNOTE: Review mission type (recon, anti-tank, CSAR), threat, and LZ. | REVIEWED | |
| 02 | Weather BriefingNOTE: Gazelle is a light helicopter - wind and turbulence have greater effect. | REVIEWED | |
| 03 | NOTAMs / Airspace | REVIEWED | |
| 04 | Fuel PlanningNOTE: Internal fuel ~760 kg. Range approximately 670 km at cruise. | SET | |
| 05 | WeaponsNOTE: HOT missiles, Mistral, or gun pods as fitted. | VERIFIED | |
| 06 | Radio Frequencies | SET | |
| 07 | Alternate LZ / Divert | IDENTIFIED |
PHS 2 — Cockpit Preparation3 steps
| 01 | Seat Harness | FASTENED | |
| 02 | Canopy / Doors | CLOSED AND LATCHED | |
| 03 | Oxygen System (if fitted) | CHECK |
PHS 3 — Electrical Power4 steps
| 01 | Battery Switch | ON | |
| 02 | Instrument Lighting | CHECK - SET AS REQUIRED | |
| 03 | Fuel Quantity | CHECK | |
| 04 | Hydraulic Accumulators | PRESSURIZED - CHECK GAUGE |
PHS 4 — Engine Start10 steps
| 01 | Rotor Brake | RELEASED | |
| 02 | Fuel Cock | OPEN | |
| 03 | Throttle | CLOSED (cold position) | |
| 04 | Engine Start SwitchNOTE: SA342 uses Turbomeca Astazou XIV turboshaft engine. | ON / START | |
| 05 | NG (Gas Generator) | RISING ABOVE 50% | |
| 06 | ThrottleNOTE: Open throttle smoothly as NG passes through 50%. | OPEN TO IDLE WHEN NG > 50% | |
| 07 | TGT During StartWARNING: Hot start if TGT exceeds limit - close throttle and fuel cock. | < 800 C | |
| 08 | Engine Idle Speed | STABLE AT IDLE NG | |
| 09 | Generator | ONLINE - CHECK VOLTAGE | |
| 10 | Main Rotor | ENGAGING AND ACCELERATING |
PHS 5 — Post-Start / Avionics8 steps
| 01 | Rotor RPM | REACHING 360-370 RPM (100% NR) | |
| 02 | Engine Instruments | TGT, NG, NR IN LIMITS | |
| 03 | Hydraulic System | CHECK PRESSURE | |
| 04 | Navigation System | SET - GPS/INS CHECK | |
| 05 | Radio | SET FREQUENCIES | |
| 06 | IFF | SET CODES | |
| 07 | Weapons System | HOT SIGHT OR VIVIANE AS FITTED - CHECK | |
| 08 | Altimeter | SET QNH |
PHS 6 — Before Takeoff4 steps
| 01 | Rotor RPM | 100% NR | |
| 02 | Engine Parameters | IN LIMITS | |
| 03 | Flight Controls | FULL TRAVEL - FREE AND CORRECT | |
| 04 | Weapons | SAFE UNTIL CLEAR OF FRIENDLY FORCES |
PHS 7 — Hover / Taxi4 steps
| 01 | Collective | INCREASE SMOOTHLY TO HOVER HEIGHT | |
| 02 | Cyclic / Pedals | STABILIZE HOVER ATTITUDE | |
| 03 | Hover Height | 1-2 M AGL | |
| 04 | Engine Torque | WITHIN LIMITS |
PHS 8 — Takeoff5 steps
| 01 | Collective | INCREASE FOR CLIMB | |
| 02 | Cyclic | FORWARD FOR TRANSLATIONAL LIFT | |
| 03 | ETL Speed | THROUGH ~30-40 KTS | |
| 04 | Climb Speed | 100-130 KM/H FOR BEST CLIMB RATE | |
| 05 | Engine Torque | DO NOT EXCEED MAX |
PHS 9 — After Takeoff / Cruise4 steps
| 01 | Cruise Speed | 210-220 KM/H TYPICAL | |
| 02 | Cruise Altitude | LOW LEVEL OR AS BRIEFED | |
| 03 | Fuel State | MONITOR | |
| 04 | Engine Instruments | MONITOR |
PHS 10 — Attack / Reconnaissance5 steps
| 01 | HOT Sight / Viviane | TARGET ACQUIRED | |
| 02 | Master Arm | ON | |
| 03 | Weapon Select | HOT MISSILE / GUN AS REQUIRED | |
| 04 | Firing Position | STABILIZE AT EFFECTIVE RANGE | |
| 05 | Post-Attack | EGRESS LOW AND FAST |
PHS 11 — Descent / Approach4 steps
| 01 | Speed | REDUCE TO 100-130 KM/H | |
| 02 | Weapons | SAFE | |
| 03 | Engine Instruments | CHECK | |
| 04 | LZ Assessment | WIND, OBSTACLES, SURFACE CHECKED |
PHS 12 — Landing4 steps
| 01 | Approach Speed | 60-80 KM/H DECELERATING TO HOVER | |
| 02 | Hover | 1-2 M STABLE | |
| 03 | Touchdown | GENTLE - SKIDS LEVEL | |
| 04 | Collective at Touchdown | REDUCE TO FULL DOWN |
PHS 13 — After Landing2 steps
| 01 | Weapons | SAFE AND CONFIRMED | |
| 02 | Collective | FULL DOWN |
PHS 14 — Shutdown8 steps
| 01 | Throttle | IDLE - 1-2 MIN COOLING | |
| 02 | Rotor Brake | APPLY WHEN NR REDUCES AFTER THROTTLE CLOSE | |
| 03 | Fuel Cock | CLOSE (Engine off) | |
| 04 | Throttle | CLOSE FULLY | |
| 05 | Avionics / Radios | OFF | |
| 06 | Generator | OFF | |
| 07 | Battery | OFF | |
| 08 | Rotor | STOPPED - SECURE BLADE |