PMDG 737-800MSFS 2024 Startup Checklist · 164 steps
PMDG 737-800
MSFS 2024 - 0/164 STEPS
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Airliner1990s
AIRCRAFT BRIEF
The Boeing 737-800 is the best-selling variant of the 737 Next Generation family. Entering service in 1998, it became the workhorse of short-to-medium-haul routes worldwide. Over 4,900 were delivered. The PMDG 737 for MSFS is widely regarded as the most detailed and accurate simulation of this aircraft available.
RANGE VISUALIZER
SPECIFICATIONS
manufacturerBoeing
first Flight1997
roleNarrow-body airliner
crew2 pilots + cabin crew
engines2x CFM56-7B26 (26,300 lbf each)
max Speed842 km/h (Mach 0.785)
range5,765 km (3,115 nmi)
ceiling41,000 ft
weight79,010 kg (MTOW)
PHS 1 — Pre-Flight Planning8 steps
| 01 | Weather Briefing (METAR / TAF / Sigmet)NOTE: Check departure, enroute, destination, and alternate weather. | REVIEWED | |
| 02 | NOTAMsNOTE: Check for runway closures, navigation aid outages, and airspace restrictions. | REVIEWED | |
| 03 | OFP / SimBrief Flight PlanNOTE: Generate and review Operational Flight Plan - route, fuel, winds, alternates. | LOADED | |
| 04 | Fuel PlanningNOTE: Block fuel includes taxi, trip, contingency (5%), alternate, final reserve (30 min), and extra. | VERIFIED | |
| 05 | Weight & Balance / LoadsheetCAUTION: Verify ZFW, TOW, and LW are within structural and performance limits. | WITHIN LIMITS | |
| 06 | SID / STAR / Approach ReviewNOTE: Review departure and expected arrival procedures. Note transition levels. | BRIEFED | |
| 07 | MEL / CDL ItemsNOTE: Review any Minimum Equipment List or Configuration Deviation List items. | CHECKED | |
| 08 | Performance - Takeoff SpeedsNOTE: V1, VR, V2, and assumed temperature based on TOW, runway length, and conditions. | CALCULATED |
PHS 2 — Electrical Power Up6 steps
| 01 | Battery Switch | ON (Guard Up) | |
| 02 | Standby Power Switch | AUTO | |
| 03 | APU SwitchNOTE: APU EGT will rise - wait for stable. | START (hold until light) | |
| 04 | APU Generator Bus SwitchesNOTE: Wait for APU GEN OFF BUS lights to extinguish. | ON (Both) | |
| 05 | IRS SelectorCAUTION: Do not move aircraft during alignment (~10 min). | NAV (Both L and R) | |
| 06 | GSX - Ground Power Unit (GPU)NOTE: GSX menu (Ctrl+F12): Ground Power Unit > Connect. Provides external AC power while engines are off. | CONNECT |
PHS 3 — Before Start16 steps
| 01 | Fuel PumpsNOTE: L FWD, L AFT, CTR L, CTR R, R FWD, R AFT. | ALL ON (6 pumps) | |
| 02 | Hydraulic Panel | NORMAL (both pumps ON) | |
| 03 | Pack Switches | AUTO (both) | |
| 04 | Bleed Air | APU BLEED ON, Engine Bleeds OFF | |
| 05 | Flight Controls | CHECK (full travel both axes) | |
| 06 | TrimNOTE: Check loadsheet for trim value. | SET FOR TAKEOFF | |
| 07 | FMC/CDUNOTE: Enter route, performance data, and verify. | PROGRAMMED | |
| 08 | MCP | SET (altitude, heading, speed) | |
| 09 | Transponder | SET ASSIGNED CODE | |
| 10 | Parking Brake | SET | |
| 11 | Beacon LightNOTE: Signal to ground crew that engines will start. | ON | |
| 12 | GSX - Fuel TruckNOTE: GSX menu: Refuel Aircraft. Set desired fuel load before confirming. | REFUEL COMPLETE | |
| 13 | GSX - Catering ServiceNOTE: GSX menu: Call Catering. Forward and aft catering trucks will service the aircraft. | COMPLETE | |
| 14 | GSX - Passenger BoardingNOTE: GSX menu: Board Passengers. Wait for all passengers to board. | COMPLETE | |
| 15 | GSX - All Passenger DoorsCAUTION: Confirm all door indicators show CLOSED before requesting pushback. | CLOSED | |
| 16 | GSX - Pushback RequestNOTE: GSX menu: Request Pushback. Select direction when prompted. | INITIATED |
PHS 4 — Engine Start12 steps
| 01 | Engine Start Selector | GND | |
| 02 | Engine 2 N2NOTE: Right engine first is standard. | WAIT - Monitor rotation to ~20% | |
| 03 | Engine 2 Start LeverCAUTION: Watch EGT - abort if exceeding limits. | CUTOFF → IDLE (at ~20% N2) | |
| 04 | Engine 2WARNING: Shut down if no oil pressure in 60 seconds. | STABILIZE - CHECK Oil Pressure, N1, EGT | |
| 05 | Engine 1 N2 | WAIT - Monitor rotation to ~20% | |
| 06 | Engine 1 Start Lever | CUTOFF → IDLE (at ~20% N2) | |
| 07 | Engine 1 | STABILIZE - CHECK Oil Pressure, N1, EGT | |
| 08 | Engine Start Selector | OFF (after both stable) | |
| 09 | APU Bleed | OFF | |
| 10 | Engine Bleeds | ON (Both) | |
| 11 | Pack Switches | VERIFY AUTO | |
| 12 | GSX - Ground Power Unit (GPU)NOTE: GSX menu: Ground Power Unit > Disconnect. Disconnect once AC bus is powered by engines. | DISCONNECT |
PHS 5 — After Start / Taxi10 steps
| 01 | GeneratorsNOTE: GEN OFF BUS lights should be out. | VERIFY ON (Both) | |
| 02 | APU | OFF | |
| 03 | Hydraulic Pressure | CHECK (all systems green) | |
| 04 | Probe Heat | ON | |
| 05 | Anti-IceNOTE: Engine anti-ice ON if OAT <10C and visible moisture. | AS REQUIRED | |
| 06 | Taxi Light | ON | |
| 07 | FlapsNOTE: Typically 5 or 15 - check performance. | SET FOR TAKEOFF | |
| 08 | Parking Brake | RELEASE | |
| 09 | Brakes | CHECK DURING TAXI | |
| 10 | Flight Instruments | CHECK DURING TAXI |
PHS 6 — Before Takeoff14 steps
| 01 | Takeoff Briefing | COMPLETED | |
| 02 | MCP | SET (altitude, heading, IAS/Mach) | |
| 03 | Flight Directors | ON (Both) | |
| 04 | FlapsNOTE: Check CDU TAKEOFF REF page. | VERIFY takeoff setting (1, 5, 15, or 25) | |
| 05 | Trim | VERIFY set for takeoff | |
| 06 | Speed Brake | DOWN DETENT | |
| 07 | Autobrake | RTO | |
| 08 | TransponderNOTE: Set before entering runway. | TA/RA | |
| 09 | Landing Lights | ON | |
| 10 | Strobe Lights | ON | |
| 11 | Runway Turnoff Lights | ON | |
| 12 | Taxi Light | OFF | |
| 13 | Body Gear SteeringNOTE: Verify on ground panel. | OFF | |
| 14 | Engine Start SwitchesNOTE: Provides continuous ignition for takeoff. | CONT |
PHS 7 — Takeoff11 steps
| 01 | Brakes | HOLD | |
| 02 | Thrust Levers | ADVANCE to ~40% N1 | |
| 03 | EnginesNOTE: Check symmetric thrust. | STABILIZE | |
| 04 | Brakes | RELEASE | |
| 05 | Thrust LeversNOTE: Engage autothrottle. | TOGA or FLX | |
| 06 | FMACAUTION: Reject if FMA shows unexpected modes. | VERIFY modes | |
| 07 | 80 Knots | CALLOUT - cross-check airspeed | |
| 08 | V1WARNING: Do not reject above V1 unless aircraft is unsafe to fly. | CALLOUT - committed to fly | |
| 09 | VRNOTE: Smooth rotation at ~3°/sec. | ROTATE - pitch 15° nose up | |
| 10 | Positive Climb | CONFIRMED | |
| 11 | Landing Gear | UP |
PHS 8 — After Takeoff / Climb11 steps
| 01 | Thrust ReductionNOTE: Typically 1,000-1,500 ft AGL. | AT acceleration altitude | |
| 02 | Autopilot | ON (CMD A) | |
| 03 | FlapsNOTE: Retract incrementally with airspeed increase. | RETRACT on schedule | |
| 04 | Landing Gear | CONFIRM UP | |
| 05 | Engine Start Switches | AUTO | |
| 06 | Speed Brake | CONFIRM DOWN | |
| 07 | Taxi Light / Runway Turnoff | OFF | |
| 08 | 10,000 ft - Landing Lights | OFF | |
| 09 | 10,000 ft - Seat Belt Sign | OFF (conditions permitting) | |
| 10 | Transition Altitude - Altimeter | SET STD (29.92 / 1013) | |
| 11 | Climb PowerNOTE: Verify autothrottle maintaining correct N1. | SET |
PHS 9 — Cruise7 steps
| 01 | Altitude | VERIFY at cruise FL | |
| 02 | Autopilot | ON - verify LNAV/VNAV or HDG/ALT | |
| 03 | Engine Parameters | CHECK normal | |
| 04 | Fuel Quantity & BalanceNOTE: Verify fuel burn matches flight plan. | CHECK | |
| 05 | Flight Progress | MONITOR on CDU LEGS page | |
| 06 | Radios | SET for ATC sectors | |
| 07 | Seat Belt Sign | AS REQUIRED |
PHS 10 — Descent Preparation8 steps
| 01 | ATISNOTE: Note QNH, wind, runway, transition level. | OBTAINED | |
| 02 | CDU - ARRIVALS Page | SELECT STAR and approach | |
| 03 | Approach BriefingNOTE: Review chart, minimums, missed approach. | COMPLETED | |
| 04 | MCP Altitude | SET first constraint | |
| 05 | Autobrake | SET (1, 2, or 3) | |
| 06 | ILS FrequencyNOTE: Verify on both nav radios. | SET and IDENTIFIED | |
| 07 | Landing Altitude | SET on pressurization panel | |
| 08 | VREF | SET on CDU APPROACH REF page |
PHS 11 — Descent7 steps
| 01 | ATC Clearance | OBTAINED | |
| 02 | MCP Altitude | SET cleared altitude | |
| 03 | VNAVNOTE: Or use V/S or LVL CHG for manual descent. | ENGAGED | |
| 04 | Transition Level - AltimeterNOTE: Cross-check both altimeters. | SET local QNH | |
| 05 | 10,000 ft - Landing Lights | ON | |
| 06 | 10,000 ft - Seat Belt Sign | ON | |
| 07 | Speed | BELOW 250 KIAS below 10,000 ft |
PHS 12 — Approach13 steps
| 01 | Speed BrakeNOTE: Arm for landing. | ARM | |
| 02 | Flaps 1NOTE: At flap maneuvering speed. | SET | |
| 03 | APP ButtonNOTE: Arms LOC and G/S capture. | PRESS when cleared for approach | |
| 04 | Flaps 5 | SET | |
| 05 | Landing Gear | DOWN | |
| 06 | Flaps 15 | SET | |
| 07 | Flaps 30 (or 40)NOTE: Flaps 30 typical, 40 for shortest landing. | SET for landing | |
| 08 | Speed | VREF + wind additive | |
| 09 | Landing Gear | CONFIRM DOWN - 3 green lights | |
| 10 | Autobrake | CONFIRM ARMED | |
| 11 | Speed Brake | CONFIRM ARMED | |
| 12 | Runway Turnoff Lights | ON | |
| 13 | Taxi Light | ON |
PHS 13 — Landing10 steps
| 01 | 1,000 ft - Stabilized ApproachWARNING: Go around if not stabilized by 1,000 ft AGL. | VERIFY | |
| 02 | 500 ft - AutopilotNOTE: Or leave for autoland CAT II/III. | DISCONNECT | |
| 03 | VREFNOTE: Adjust for wind. | MAINTAIN | |
| 04 | Flare (~30 ft)NOTE: Gentle backstick, aim for 1,000 ft markers. | REDUCE descent rate | |
| 05 | Thrust Levers | IDLE at touchdown | |
| 06 | Speedbrake | VERIFY DEPLOYED | |
| 07 | Reverse ThrustNOTE: Max reverse for wet/short runways. | SELECT | |
| 08 | Autobrake | VERIFY ACTIVE | |
| 09 | 80 Knots | REVERSE IDLE - stow reversers | |
| 10 | 60 Knots | MANUAL braking as needed |
PHS 14 — After Landing12 steps
| 01 | Runway Vacated | CONFIRMED | |
| 02 | Flaps | UP | |
| 03 | Speed Brake | DOWN | |
| 04 | Strobe Lights | OFF | |
| 05 | Landing Lights | OFF | |
| 06 | Taxi Light | ON | |
| 07 | Runway Turnoff Lights | ON | |
| 08 | Transponder | STBY | |
| 09 | Autobrake | OFF | |
| 10 | APUNOTE: Start for bleed air at gate. | START | |
| 11 | Weather Radar | OFF | |
| 12 | Probe Heat | OFF |
PHS 15 — Parking / Shutdown19 steps
| 01 | Parking Brake | SET | |
| 02 | Taxi Light | OFF | |
| 03 | Runway Turnoff Lights | OFF | |
| 04 | APU Generator | ON (Both buses) | |
| 05 | Engine Start Levers | CUTOFF (Both) | |
| 06 | Seat Belt Sign | OFF | |
| 07 | Beacon Light | OFF | |
| 08 | Fuel Pumps | ALL OFF | |
| 09 | Hydraulic Pumps | OFF | |
| 10 | Pack Switches | OFF | |
| 11 | Engine Bleeds | OFF | |
| 12 | IRS Selectors | OFF (Both) | |
| 13 | APU Bleed | OFF | |
| 14 | APUNOTE: Allow 2 min cooling. | OFF | |
| 15 | Standby Power | OFF | |
| 16 | Battery | OFF | |
| 17 | GSX - Ground Power Unit (GPU)NOTE: GSX menu: Ground Power Unit > Connect. Restores external power for turnaround. | CONNECT | |
| 18 | GSX - Jetway / StairsNOTE: GSX menu: Deboard Passengers. Jetway or airstairs will position automatically. | CONNECTED | |
| 19 | GSX - Passenger DeboardingNOTE: Wait for all passengers to deboard before releasing gate. | COMPLETE |