MSFS 2024 · Rotary
Bell UH-1H Huey Startup Checklist
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FLIGHT2.4.0Checklist
Bell UH-1H HueyMSFS 2024 · Startup Checklist · 128 steps · 16 phases
PHS 1 — Pre-Flight Planning9 steps
| 01 | Mission BriefREVIEWEDNOTE: Review flight plan, destination, passenger/cargo manifest, and mission objectives. | |
| 02 | Weather BriefingREVIEWEDNOTE: Check METAR/TAF at departure and destination. Wind direction critical for helicopter approach planning. | |
| 03 | NOTAMs / AirspaceREVIEWEDNOTE: Check for TFRs, heliport closures, restricted areas, and airspace restrictions along route. | |
| 04 | Fuel PlanningCALCULATEDNOTE: Plan fuel for mission duration plus 20-minute reserve. Factor in hover time at destination. Burn rate ~80 GPH at cruise. | |
| 05 | Weight & Balance / PayloadWITHIN LIMITSCAUTION: Max gross weight 9,500 lbs. Account for passengers, cargo, and fuel. CG position critical for hover stability. | |
| 06 | Performance PlanningCHECKEDNOTE: Check density altitude - determines hover ceiling and max payload. High/hot conditions degrade performance significantly. | |
| 07 | Route / Landing Zone SurveyREVIEWEDNOTE: Review landing zone size, obstacles, approach/departure paths, and alternate landing sites. | |
| 08 | Radio FrequenciesSETNOTE: Set COM1/COM2 frequencies. Note tower, approach, CTAF, and enroute frequencies. | |
| 09 | GSX - Fuel TruckREFUEL COMPLETENOTE: GSX menu: Refuel Aircraft. Note: GSX fuel support varies by airport and helipad. |
PHS 2 — Electrical / Pre-Start8 steps
| 01 | Circuit BreakersCHECK - All in | |
| 02 | Battery SwitchON | |
| 03 | Main Generator SwitchON | |
| 04 | Non-Essential BusON | |
| 05 | Inverter SwitchOFFNOTE: AC power off until after engine start. | |
| 06 | Caution Panel - Low RPM WarningPRESS TO RESETCAUTION: Reset the low RPM warning before starting to prevent audio alert. | |
| 07 | Governor SwitchOFF (Center)NOTE: Will be set to AUTO before engine start sequence. | |
| 08 | Pitot HeatOFF |
PHS 3 — Engine Setup7 steps
| 01 | Governor SwitchAUTO (Forward)NOTE: AUTO allows governor to maintain 6,600 RPM in flight. | |
| 02 | Main Fuel SwitchON (Forward) | |
| 03 | Chip Detector SwitchBOTH (Forward)NOTE: Monitors for metal particles in engine and transmission oil. | |
| 04 | Force Trim SwitchON (Forward) | |
| 05 | Hydraulic Control SwitchON (Forward) | |
| 06 | CollectiveFULL DOWNCAUTION: Collective must be fully lowered before engine start to prevent uncontrolled lift. | |
| 07 | ThrottleCLOSE - Rotate to idle stop positionNOTE: Press idle release button to move throttle past the idle stop detent. |
PHS 4 — Engine Start9 steps
| 01 | Area Around HelicopterCLEARWARNING: Visually confirm no persons or obstacles near rotor disc area. | |
| 02 | Starter ButtonPRESS AND HOLDNOTE: Hold starter until N1 reaches 40%. | |
| 03 | N1 RPMMONITOR - Rotors begin turning at ~15% N1 | |
| 04 | Starter ButtonRELEASE AT 40% N1 | |
| 05 | EGTMONITORWARNING: EGT must not exceed 400°C during start. Exceeding 610°C causes engine damage - abort start immediately. | |
| 06 | ThrottleSLOWLY ADVANCE TO FULL OPEN AT 70% N1CAUTION: Advance throttle gradually - sudden movement risks overtorque or compressor stall. | |
| 07 | N2 / Rotor RPMSTABILIZE AT 6,600 RPM (324 ROTOR)NOTE: Governor auto-maintains RPM. N1 and N2 needles should be married (matched). | |
| 08 | Oil PressureCHECK - 40–70 PSIWARNING: If oil pressure does not rise within 30 seconds of start, shut down immediately. | |
| 09 | EGT (Stabilized)CHECK - Below 400°C at idle |
PHS 5 — Post-Start / Systems9 steps
| 01 | Inverter SwitchMAIN ONNOTE: Enables AC power for instruments. | |
| 02 | Gyro / Attitude IndicatorCHECK - Erect and stableNOTE: Allow 2–3 minutes for gyros to spin up. | |
| 03 | CompassSET HEADING | |
| 04 | AltimeterSET - Field elevation / QNH | |
| 05 | Radios (COM1 / COM2)SET FREQUENCIES | |
| 06 | TransponderSET CODE - STANDBY | |
| 07 | Navigation InstrumentsSET AS REQUIRED | |
| 08 | Caution PanelCHECK - No warnings | |
| 09 | Engine InstrumentsCHECK - All in greenNOTE: Torque, EGT, N1, N2, oil pressure, oil temperature. |
PHS 6 — Before Taxi / Hover Check11 steps
| 01 | Flight ControlsCHECK - Free and correctNOTE: Cyclic, collective, and pedals - full travel in all directions. | |
| 02 | Force TrimCHECK - Functional | |
| 03 | DoorsCLOSED AND LATCHEDNOTE: Or open as required for mission. Ensure doors are secured. | |
| 04 | Crew / PassengersBRIEFED AND SECURENOTE: Brief emergency exits, seatbelts, and no-touch zones near controls. | |
| 05 | Anti-Collision LightON | |
| 06 | Position LightsAS REQUIRED | |
| 07 | Landing LightAS REQUIRED | |
| 08 | Hover Check - CollectiveRAISE SLOWLY TO HOVERCAUTION: Monitor torque - do not exceed limits. If power margin insufficient, reduce payload. | |
| 09 | Hover Check - Left PedalADD TO COUNTER TORQUENOTE: Huey torques right - add left pedal as collective increases. | |
| 10 | Hover Check - Stabilize3–5 FT AGL - IN GROUND EFFECTNOTE: Verify engine instruments in limits, check power margin. | |
| 11 | Hover Check - Engine InstrumentsCHECK - Torque, EGT, RPM in limits |
PHS 7 — Taxi5 steps
| 01 | Area ClearCHECK - Clear all sides | |
| 02 | Hover TaxiFORWARD CYCLIC GENTLYNOTE: Walking pace - maintain 3–5 ft AGL, below translational lift speed. | |
| 03 | PedalsMAINTAIN HEADINGNOTE: Use pedals to maintain heading - do not use cyclic for yaw corrections. | |
| 04 | ObstaclesMONITOR - Maintain clearanceCAUTION: Be aware of tail rotor clearance from obstacles and personnel. | |
| 05 | Ground Taxi (Alternative)LOW COLLECTIVE - SKIDS ON GROUNDNOTE: Only on smooth, level surfaces. Keep RPM at 6,600. |
PHS 8 — Before Takeoff7 steps
| 01 | Engine InstrumentsCHECK - ALL GREENNOTE: Torque, EGT, N1, N2, oil pressure, oil temperature. | |
| 02 | Fuel QuantityCHECK - Adequate for flight | |
| 03 | Caution PanelCLEAR - No warnings | |
| 04 | TransponderSET AND ON (ALT) | |
| 05 | RadiosSET - Contact tower / CTAF | |
| 06 | Wind CheckNOTE - Takeoff into wind preferred | |
| 07 | Departure PathCLEAR OF OBSTACLES |
PHS 9 — Takeoff6 steps
| 01 | CollectiveINCREASE SMOOTHLYCAUTION: Monitor torque - do not exceed 48 PSI. | |
| 02 | PedalsMAINTAIN HEADING | |
| 03 | CyclicFORWARD - Accelerate through ETLNOTE: Expect slight vibration and left yaw at Effective Translational Lift (~15 kts). | |
| 04 | Translational LiftFEEL - Aircraft climbs at ~16–24 ktsNOTE: Helicopter becomes more efficient - reduce collective slightly as lift increases. | |
| 05 | Climb SpeedESTABLISH 60–70 KTSNOTE: Best climb speed for the Huey. | |
| 06 | Climb Rate500–1,000 FT/MINNOTE: Adjust collective and cyclic for desired climb rate. |
PHS 10 — Climb5 steps
| 01 | Airspeed60–70 KTS (Vy)NOTE: Best rate of climb speed. | |
| 02 | Engine InstrumentsMONITOR - All in limits | |
| 03 | TorqueMONITOR - Max continuous 40 PSICAUTION: Prolonged operation above 40 PSI shortens engine life. | |
| 04 | AltimeterCHECK - Set QNH or standard | |
| 05 | Landing LightOFF (above 500 ft AGL) |
PHS 11 — Cruise7 steps
| 01 | AltitudeAT ASSIGNED LEVEL | |
| 02 | Airspeed80–100 KTS (NORMAL CRUISE)NOTE: VNE 120 kts. Adjust for mission and conditions. | |
| 03 | TorqueSET - CRUISE POWERNOTE: Typically 30–35 PSI in cruise. | |
| 04 | Fuel StateMONITOR - Check quantity and burn rate | |
| 05 | NavigationCHECK - Heading, GPS, position | |
| 06 | Engine InstrumentsSCAN - Regular instrument cross-check | |
| 07 | TrimADJUST AS NEEDEDNOTE: Use force trim to relieve control pressure. |
PHS 12 — Descent / Approach10 steps
| 01 | Airspeed80–90 KTS DESCENT SPEED | |
| 02 | CollectiveREDUCE FOR DESCENTCAUTION: Avoid rapid collective reduction - may cause rotor RPM droop below 6,600. | |
| 03 | Rate of Descent300–500 FT/MIN NORMAL | |
| 04 | AltimeterSET - LOCAL QNH | |
| 05 | Landing ZoneIDENTIFY - Wind direction, obstacles, surface | |
| 06 | Landing LightON | |
| 07 | AirspeedREDUCE - Decelerate to 40–60 kts on approach | |
| 08 | Approach AngleMAINTAIN - Steady approach to landing pointNOTE: Aim for a constant angle - typically 8–12 degrees. | |
| 09 | PedalsMAINTAIN HEADING ALIGNMENT | |
| 10 | DecelerateAFT CYCLIC - Reduce to hover speedCAUTION: Do not flare too aggressively - risk of tail strike with low skid clearance. |
PHS 13 — Before Landing4 steps
| 01 | Landing ZoneCONFIRMED CLEARNOTE: Check for obstacles, wires, debris, and personnel. | |
| 02 | WindFINAL CHECK - Note direction and speed | |
| 03 | Engine InstrumentsCHECK - All in limits | |
| 04 | Passengers / CargoSECURE |
PHS 14 — Landing7 steps
| 01 | HoverESTABLISH AT 3–5 FT AGLNOTE: Stabilize in ground effect before landing. | |
| 02 | DriftCHECK - Correct any drift with cyclic | |
| 03 | CollectiveSLOWLY LOWERNOTE: Gentle descent - let skids touch evenly. | |
| 04 | TouchdownSKIDS ON GROUND - LEVEL ATTITUDE | |
| 05 | CollectiveFULL DOWN AFTER TOUCHDOWN | |
| 06 | CyclicNEUTRAL | |
| 07 | PedalsNEUTRAL |
PHS 15 — After Landing5 steps
| 01 | TransponderSTANDBY | |
| 02 | Landing LightOFF | |
| 03 | Anti-Collision LightONNOTE: Keep anti-collision light on while rotors are turning. | |
| 04 | Engine InstrumentsCHECK - All normal | |
| 05 | RadiosAS REQUIRED |
PHS 16 — Shutdown / Securing19 steps
| 01 | CollectiveFULL DOWN | |
| 02 | ThrottleCLOSE TO IDLENOTE: Let engine cool for 2 minutes at idle before shutdown. | |
| 03 | Avionics / RadiosOFF | |
| 04 | TransponderOFF | |
| 05 | Navigation EquipmentOFF | |
| 06 | InverterOFF | |
| 07 | ThrottleCLOSE - ROTATE TO OFFCAUTION: Wait for N1 RPM to drop below 40% before turning off fuel. | |
| 08 | Main Fuel SwitchOFF | |
| 09 | N1 / N2 RPMMONITOR - Wait for full spool-down | |
| 10 | Force TrimOFF | |
| 11 | Hydraulic ControlOFF | |
| 12 | Governor SwitchOFF (Center) | |
| 13 | Non-Essential BusOFF | |
| 14 | Main GeneratorOFF | |
| 15 | Battery SwitchOFF | |
| 16 | Anti-Collision LightOFF | |
| 17 | All LightsOFF | |
| 18 | Rotor BrakeAPPLY WHEN RPM BELOW 30%WARNING: Never apply rotor brake above 30% RPM - causes rotor system damage. | |
| 19 | Tie-Down / ChocksSECURENOTE: Secure main rotor blade and install tie-downs if parking. |