Beechcraft Starship (Black Square) Startup Checklist

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Eric Friedebach / Wikimedia CommonsCC BY 2.0

General Aviation1990s

AIRCRAFT BRIEF

The Beechcraft Starship was the most radical business aircraft ever certified: an all-composite canard pusher with no tail, designed with Burt Rutan and fitted with one of the first civil glass cockpits. It was heavier and more expensive than promised, only 53 were built between 1989 and 1995, and Raytheon later bought back and scrapped most of the fleet. A handful still fly. Black Square's version recreates the Collins avionics suite and models over 230 failures, including turbine engine failures.

RANGE VISUALIZER

Startup Walkthrough

SPECIFICATIONS

manufacturer: Beechcraft (Textron Aviation)
first Flight: 1986 (proof of concept), 1989 (certification)
role: Pressurised canard business turboprop
crew: 1-2 pilots + 6-8 passengers
engines: 2x Pratt and Whitney Canada PT6A-67A (1,200 shp each)
max Speed: 620 km/h (335 kts TAS)
range: 2,600 km (1,400 nmi)
ceiling: 41,000 ft
weight: 6,758 kg (14,900 lbs MTOW)

Sources: Beechcraft Starship - Wikipedia, Beechcraft Starship Performance and Specifications, Black Square - Starship (Just Flight)

FLIGHT2.23.0Checklist

Beechcraft Starship (Black Square)MSFS 2024 · Startup Checklist · 288 steps · 15 phases

DATE PILOT TAIL

PHS 1 - Pre-Flight Planning8 steps

	01	Weather Briefing (METAR / TAF)REVIEWEDNOTE: Service ceiling is 41,000 ft under 13,000 lbs, 35,800 ft at 14,900 lbs. Check winds aloft, tropopause and icing through the whole climb.
	02	NOTAMsREVIEWED
	03	Fuel RequiredCALCULATEDNOTE: Jet A. 550.2 US gal usable of 565.0 total (189.5 per main, 85.6 per aft tank). Max cruise burns roughly 511-556 PPH per engine.
	04	Weight & BalanceWITHIN LIMITSCAUTION: Max ramp 15,010 lbs, max takeoff 14,900 lbs, max landing 13,680 lbs. Full fuel payload is only 1,160 lbs.
	05	Takeoff and Single-Engine PerformanceCALCULATEDWARNING: At 14,900 lbs with flaps extended V1 is 100 kts, Vr 101 kts, V2 113 kts. Vmc is 89 kts flaps extended, 94 kts flaps retracted. Single-engine climb is 670 ft/min feathered, only 50 ft/min windmilling.
	06	Fuel Loading MinimumsCHECKEDCAUTION: Do not take off if the fuel quantity gauges indicate less than 270 pounds per side. Maximum allowable imbalance between wing fuel systems is 150 pounds.
	07	OxygenCHECKEDCAUTION: Maximum cabin differential is 8.4 PSI. A decompression at FL410 gives very little useful consciousness time.
	08	Autopilot Altitude RestrictionBRIEFEDNOTE: Half bank mode is required above 30,000 ft with the autopilot engaged.

PHS 2 - Preflight Checks15 steps

	01	Parking BrakeSET
	02	Control LocksREMOVE
	03	Landing Gear ControlDOWN
	04	BatteryON
	05	Pitch/Roll/Rudder TrimSET TO 0 (NEUTRAL)
	06	Fuel QuantityCHECK
	07	Oxygen PressureCHECK
	08	Airstair Door AnnunciatorCHECKED
	09	BatteryOFF
	10	Wheel ChocksREMOVED
	11	Pitot/Static CoversREMOVED
	12	Engine CoversREMOVED
	13	Gear Locking PinsSTOWED
	14	Emergency ExitSECURE
	15	Airstair DoorLOCKED

PHS 3 - Before Starting Engines44 steps

	01	Circuit Breakers (Left/Right/Aux)ALL IN
	02	Outboard Reversionary PanelsAS REQUIRED
	03	Seatbelts and Shoulder HarnessesFASTENED
	04	Parking BrakeSET
	05	Audio Panels and MicAS REQUIRED
	06	Static SourceNORM
	07	Oxygen SupplySYS READY - PULL
	08	Oxygen MasksTEST
	09	Ice ProtectionOFF
	10	Landing Gear ControlDOWN
	11	Anti-Skid SwitchANTI-SKID
	12	Center Reversionary PanelAS REQUIRED
	13	Standby InstrumentsON
	14	STANDBY BATT PWR ON AnnunciatorILLUMINATED
	15	Power LeversIDLE
	16	Propeller LeversFULL FORWARD
	17	Condition LeversFUEL CUTOFF
	18	Bleed Air ValvesOFF
	19	Temp ModeOFF
	20	BatteryON
	21	Triple-Fed Bus Volts22V MINIMUM
	22	Center Bus Volts23V MINIMUM
	23	EICASON
	24	Firewall Fuel ValvesPUSH CLOSED
	25	Extinguisher and F/W ValveILLUMINATED
	26	Standby PumpsONCAUTION: The left and right standby pumps must be operative for takeoff.
	27	FUEL PRESS LO AnnunciatorsILLUMINATED
	28	Firewall Fuel ValvesPUSH OPEN
	29	Extinguisher and F/W ValveEXTINGUISHED
	30	FUEL PRESS LO AnnunciatorsEXTINGUISHED
	31	Standby PumpsOFF
	32	FUEL PRESS LO AnnunciatorsILLUMINATED
	33	Transfer FlowLEFT AND RIGHT
	34	Fuel Transfer MessageILLUMINATED
	35	FUEL PRESS LO AnnunciatorEXTINGUISHED
	36	Transfer FlowOFF
	37	Avionic Air Fail MessageILLUMINATED
	38	Avionics Alternate BlowerON
	39	AV ALT BLWR ON MessageILLUMINATED
	40	Avionic Air Fail MessageEXTINGUISHED
	41	Avionics Alternate BlowerOFF
	42	Fuel Quantity (Total and Aft)CHECK
	43	Oxygen PressureCONFIRM
	44	LightsAS REQUIRED

PHS 4 - Engine Starting (Battery)23 steps

	01	R Ignition and Engine StartONCAUTION: Starter limits: 30 seconds ON / 5 minutes OFF, 30 seconds ON / 5 minutes OFF, then 30 seconds ON / 30 minutes OFF.
	02	R Condition Lever (12% N1 Minimum)START
	03	N1 and ITT (1000 degC Maximum)MONITORWARNING: 1000 degC is the starting ITT limit for the PT6A-67A.
	04	R Oil PressureCHECKNOTE: Oil pressure limits are 90 PSI min, 135 PSI max.
	05	R Ignition and Engine StartOFF
	06	R Condition Lever (65% N1 Minimum)RUN
	07	R GeneratorRESET THEN ON
	08	R Gen Volts27.5-29.0V
	09	Charge Battery UntilLOADMETER BELOW 50%
	10	L Ignition and Engine StartON
	11	L Condition Lever (12% N1 Minimum)START
	12	N1 and ITT (1000 degC Maximum)MONITOR
	13	L Oil PressureCHECK
	14	L Ignition and Engine StartOFF
	15	L Condition Lever (65% N1 Minimum)RUN
	16	L GeneratorRESET THEN ON
	17	L Gen Volts27.5-29.0V
	18	Gen TiesOPEN
	19	L and R GEN TIES OPEN MessagesILLUMINATED
	20	Triple-Fed Bus Volts26.5-28.0V
	21	Gen TiesNORM
	22	L and R GEN TIES OPEN MessagesEXTINGUISHED
	23	Generator LoadPARALLELED

PHS 5 - Before Taxi14 steps

	01	Pilot and Copilot AvionicsONCAUTION: Ground operation of the integrated avionics with cabin temperatures above 95 degF is limited to 30 minutes.
	02	Standby IndicatorsON
	03	Bleed Air ValvesBOTH
	04	Blowers/TemperatureSET
	05	Temp Mode SelectorAUTO
	06	LightsAS REQUIRED
	07	Cabin Lights or FurnishingsAS REQUIRED
	08	No Smoke and SeatbeltsON
	09	Pilot and Copilot InstrumentsOPERATING
	10	Flap/Forward WingRETRACT
	11	AHRS Aligning MessageEXTINGUISHED
	12	CDU Time, Date and PositionVERIFY
	13	RadarSTANDBY
	14	BrakesCHECKED

PHS 6 - Before Takeoff (Full)101 steps

	01	Fire Ext TestDISCH AND OK ILLUMINATED
	02	Fire Detr TestENG FIRE ILLUMINATED
	03	Flap/Fwd Wing Monitor TestCHECK EICAS
	04	Aux Batt TestCHECK EICAS
	05	Batt Monitor TestBATT CHG ILLUMINATED
	06	Fuel Lo Warn TestCHECK EICAS
	07	Stall Warning TestAOA & SHAKER & HORN
	08	Vmo/Mmo TestHORN
	09	Ldg Gr TestILLUMINATED AND HORN
	10	Annun TestALL LIGHTS ILLUMINATED
	11	Bleed Air TestL R FUS FAIL ILLUMINATED
	12	PowerAS REQUIRED FOR 23 PSI
	13	Bleed Air ValvesOFF
	14	PNEU PRESS LOW MessageILLUMINATED
	15	Pneumatic PressZERO FOR OFF POSITION
	16	Deice VacBOOT FAIL MESSAGES
	17	Bleed Air ValvesL THEN R
	18	PNEU PRESS LOW MessageILLUMINATED
	19	Bleed Air ValvesBOTH
	20	PNEU PRESS LOW MessageEXTINGUISHED
	21	Boot Fail MessagesEXTINGUISHED
	22	Pneumatic Press23-25 PSI FOR BOTH
	23	Press TestCHECK CABIN RATE
	24	Fwd Wing Man SwitchBOOTS INFLATE
	25	Main Wing Inbd SwitchBOOTS INFLATE
	26	Main Wing Outbd SwitchBOOTS INFLATE
	27	Deice Stby TestYELLOW ICING MESSAGE
	28	Standby Deice FailMESSAGE ILLUMINATED
	29	Deice Main TestWHITE ICING MESSAGE
	30	Main Deice FailMESSAGE ILLUMINATED
	31	Engine Ice Actuator SwitchesBOTH STBY
	32	Engine Ice ProtectionBOTH ON
	33	Stall Warning Heat OnLOADMETER INCREASE
	34	Pitot/Static Heat OnLOADMETER INCREASE
	35	Windshield Heat HighLOADMETER INCREASE
	36	Vent/Cable Heat OnLOADMETER INCREASE
	37	Both Engine Anti-Ice MessagesILLUMINATED
	38	Engine Ice Actuator SwitchesBOTH MAIN
	39	Engine Ice ProtectionBOTH OFF
	40	Gnd Ice Detector TestICE MESSAGE ILLUMINATED
	41	Ice ProtectionALL OFF
	42	Deice Seq SwitchINFLATE IN SEQUENCE
	43	Power LeversIDLE
	44	Both Engine Anti-Ice MessagesEXTINGUISHED
	45	Pressurization Altitude1000 FT ABOVE CRUISE
	46	Rate Knob10:00 POSITION
	47	Manual Cabin Alt ControlNORM (FULL CCW)
	48	AvionicsCHECK AND SET
	49	Radar Altimeter TestDH ALERT
	50	AutopilotENGAGE
	51	PFD AP ModesCONFIRM
	52	Heading Hold ModeENGAGE
	53	Heading BugSET 10 DEGREES LEFT
	54	Yoke MovementOBSERVE
	55	Heading BugSET 10 DEGREES RIGHT
	56	Yoke MovementOBSERVE
	57	AutopilotYOKE DISCONNECT
	58	Pitch Trim SwitchNORM
	59	Pitch TrimEXERCISE YOKE SWITCH
	60	Pitch Trim SwitchSTBY
	61	Pitch Trim Dual SwitchesEXERCISE
	62	Pitch Trim SwitchNORM
	63	Roll Trim SwitchNORM
	64	Roll TrimEXERCISE YOKE SWITCH
	65	Rudder Trim SwitchNORM
	66	Rudder Trim Test SwitchSLIDE TO A-TEST
	67	Rudder TrimEXERCISE KNOB
	68	Rudder Trim Test SwitchSLIDE TO B-TEST
	69	Rudder TrimEXERCISE KNOB
	70	Rudder Trim Test SwitchSLIDE TO CENTER
	71	Pitch/Roll/Rudder TrimSET FOR TAKEOFF
	72	Flap/Fwd WingAS DESIREDNOTE: Vfe is 180 kts. Flaps extended gives Vr 101 kts at 14,900 lbs versus 108 kts retracted.
	73	Flight ControlsFREE AND CORRECT
	74	Power LeversIDLE (ABOVE BETA)
	75	Propeller Test SwitchHOLD TO LOW PITCH
	76	Propeller RPMNOTE DECREASE
	77	Propeller Test SwitchHOLD TO OVERSPEED
	78	Power LeversINCREASE TO 1600 RPM
	79	Propeller Test SwitchRELEASE
	80	Propeller RPMNOTE INCREASE
	81	Power LeversIDLE
	82	Engine Auto-IgnitionARM
	83	Both Auto-Ignition MessagesILLUMINATED
	84	Power LeversADVANCE TO 17% TORQUE
	85	Both Auto-Ignition MessagesEXTINGUISHED
	86	Power LeversIDLE
	87	Engine Auto-IgnitionOFF
	88	Propeller LeversLOW RPM
	89	Autofeather SwitchHOLD TO TEST
	90	Power LeversSET APPROX 17% TORQUE
	91	AFX MessagesILLUMINATED ON EICAS
	92	Left Power LeverRETARD TO FEATHER
	93	Left Power LeverRESET TO 17% TORQUE
	94	Right Power LeverRETARD TO FEATHER
	95	Right Power LeverRESET TO 17% TORQUE
	96	AutofeatherARM
	97	Propeller Manual FeatheringCHECK
	98	Power LeversIDLE
	99	Propeller LeversFULL FORWARD
	100	Standby AltimeterSET
	101	Flight and Engine DisplaysCHECK

PHS 7 - Before Takeoff (Final Items)13 steps

	01	Stall Warning HeatON
	02	Pitot/Static HeatON
	03	Engine Ice ProtectionAS REQUIRED
	04	Vent/Cable HeatON
	05	Bleed Air ValvesBOTH
	06	TransponderON
	07	Annunciators and EICAS MessagesCONSIDER
	08	External LightsAS REQUIRED
	09	Cockpit LightsDIM FOR TAKEOFF
	10	Windshield HeatLOW
	11	Engine Auto-IgnitionAS REQUIRED
	12	Generator LoadsCHECK
	13	Pitch/Roll/Rudder TrimCENTERED/GREEN

PHS 8 - Takeoff7 steps

	01	BrakesHOLD
	02	Takeoff Power100% TRQ, 850 degC ITT, 1700 RPMWARNING: 850 degC is the takeoff ITT limit and 1,700 RPM the takeoff engine speed limit. Ng limit is 104.0% in all phases.
	03	AFX MessagesILLUMINATED ON EICAS
	04	BrakesRELEASE
	05	Vr SpeedROTATE TO 8 DEGREESNOTE: Vr at 14,900 lbs is 101 kts flaps extended, 108 kts flaps retracted.
	06	Landing GearUPCAUTION: Vlo (retraction) is 180 kts, Vle 200 kts.
	07	Flap/Fwd WingRETRACT

PHS 9 - Climb7 steps

	01	Yaw DamperON
	02	Climb Power90% TRQ, 840 degC ITT, 1600 RPMNOTE: Recommended climb airspeeds: 180 kts to 10,000 ft, 160 kts to 20,000 ft, 140 kts to 30,000 ft, 130 kts to 41,000 ft.
	03	Propeller SyncON
	04	Engine DisplayMONITOR
	05	Cabin PressurizationMONITORNOTE: Maximum pressure differential is 8.4 PSI.
	06	No Smoke and SeatbeltsAS REQUIRED
	07	LightsAS REQUIRED

PHS 10 - Cruise5 steps

	01	Cruise Power97% TRQ, 840 degC ITT, 1600 RPMCAUTION: Half bank mode is required above 30,000 ft with the autopilot engaged.
	02	AutofeatherOFF
	03	LightsAS REQUIRED
	04	Engine DisplayMONITOR
	05	Fuel QuantityMONITORCAUTION: Maximum allowable fuel imbalance between wing fuel systems is 150 pounds. Crossfeed is permitted only on the ground and in cruise.

PHS 11 - Descent6 steps

	01	Pressurization Altitude500 FT ABOVE LANDING
	02	Rate KnobAS DESIRED
	03	Standby AltimeterSET
	04	No Smoke and SeatbeltsAS REQUIRED
	05	PowerAS REQUIRED
	06	LightsAS REQUIRED

PHS 12 - Before Landing11 steps

	01	Approach SpeedCONFIRM
	02	PressurizationCHECK PROGRESS
	03	No Smoke and SeatbeltsON
	04	AutofeatherARM
	05	Landing GearDOWNCAUTION: Vle is 200 kts.
	06	Flap/Fwd WingEXTENDCAUTION: Vfe is 180 kts.
	07	LightsAS REQUIRED
	08	AutopilotDISCONNECT
	09	Propeller SyncOFF
	10	RadarAS REQUIRED
	11	Yaw DamperOFF

PHS 13 - Normal Landing4 steps

	01	Power LeversIDLE
	02	Propeller LeversFULL FORWARD
	03	Power LeversGROUND FINE
	04	BrakesAS REQUIREDCAUTION: If reverse is used, reverse thrust operation is limited to durations of one minute and power levers go to ground fine below 40 kts.

PHS 14 - After Landing9 steps

	01	Stall Warning HeatOFF
	02	Pitot/Static HeatOFF
	03	Windshield HeatAS REQUIRED
	04	Vent/Cable HeatOFF
	05	Engine Auto-IgnitionOFF
	06	TransponderSTANDBY
	07	LightsAS REQUIRED
	08	TrimSET
	09	Flap/Fwd WingRETRACT

PHS 15 - Shutdown & Securing21 steps

	01	Parking BrakeSET
	02	Oxygen SupplyPUSH OFF
	03	Engine Ice ProtectionOFF
	04	Windshield HeatOFF
	05	Pilot and Copilot AvionicsOFF
	06	Standby InstrumentsOFF
	07	Bleed Air ValvesOFF
	08	Temp ModeOFF
	09	BatteryCHARGED
	10	ITTSTABILIZED AT MIN FOR 1 MINWARNING: ITT must be stabilised at minimum for one full minute before fuel cutoff.
	11	Condition LeversFUEL CUTOFF
	12	PropellersFEATHERED
	13	ITTMONITOR FOR FUEL CUTOFF
	14	Overhead Panel SwitchesALL OFF
	15	EICASOFF
	16	Master SwitchesOFF
	17	Control LocksINSTALL
	18	Wheel ChocksINSTALL
	19	Gear Locking PinsINSTALL
	20	Parking BrakeOFF
	21	External CoversINSTALL