Simplified Procedures in Detail

5. Before Take-off Checks

For the following steps, use the training mission 01 System Start. Alternatively, use 02 Taxi.

Having stopped at the Hold, the following checks are carried out:

  • Set the fuel transfer switch according to the refuelling of your aircraft, FUEL TRANSFER SET LSC-F
If both Pylon Tanks and Tip Tanks are filled, first empty the Pylon Tanks and then the Tip Tanks (FUEL TRANSFER PYL).
For single-pilot operation with 500 litre (400kg) Tip Tanks and Pylon Tanks, the following sequence is recommended for a more favourable Centre of Gravity:
  • Select Pylon Tank (PYL) during engine start, to leak test the system
  • Select Tip Tanks (TIP) during take-off and climb up to approx. 300 kg residual fuel
  • Select Pylon Tanks (PYL) until empty
  • Select Tip Tanks (TIP) until empty

Fuel Transfer, Picture of Brodo, Public domain Cockpit Position Throttle Area, Picture by Brodo, Public domain

  • Landing Light ON, LDG LIGHTS ON LSP
Ldg Light, Picture by Brodo, Public domain Cockpit position LVK, picture by Brodo, Common Free

  • Switch on Pitot Heater, ANTI-ICE / PITOT ON RSC-M
Anti-Ice, picture by Brodo, Public domain Cockpit Position Anti-Ice, Picture by Brodo, Public domain

  • Set the Trims to Neutral HOTAS and RUDDER TRIM IP-L

Aileron/Rudder Trim, Picture by Brodo, Public domain

 Cockpit position LVK, picture by Brodo, Common Free

Rudder Trim Switch, Picture by Brodo, Public domainAileron Trim Switch, Picture by Brodo, Public domain

Cockpit position LVK, picture by Brodo, Common Free

Cockpit Position Controls, Picture by Brodo, Common Free

  • Verify / Set the Flaps to Take-off FLAPS T/O IP-L
Flaps half, Picture by Brodo, Public domain Cockpit Position IP Left, Image from Brodo, Public Domain

  • Check the Canopy is Closed and Locked. CANOPY CLOSE and LOCK IP-L

Canopy, Image by Brodo, Public domain

 Position Canopy, image by Brodo, Public Domain

  • Activate the Ejection Seat, SEAT SAFETY PIN REMOVE SEAT. To arm the ejection seat, pull the Seat Safety Pin out of the seat (between the seat and the joystick). It will automatically be stowed by the game in the Bracket
Seat Safety Pin, Picture by Brodo, Public domainSeat Safety Pin, Image by Brodo, Public domain Cockpitposition Seat Safety Pin, Picture by Brodo, Public

  • One last time before lining up, check all instruments for faulty displays or values outside the normal operating range, INSTRUMENTS CHECK IP and RSP Instruments, Image by Brodo, Public domain
  • Check that all warning and caution lights are off, CAUTION WARNING LIGHTS OUT RSC
CWP, picture by Brodo, Public Domain Cockpit Position CWP, picture by Brodo, Common Free

  • Set the external and internal lights as needed, INT / EXT LIGHTS AS REQ'D RSC
  • First, take a look around to the right and left to see that there is no other aircraft in the approach.

”Clear on Approach, Threshold, Runway and Departure Lane”

 View to the right, image by kaltokri, public domain

View to the left, image by kaltokri, public domain

Then you roll onto the runway, align the aircraft with the centre line and roll straight ahead slightly to ensure that the nose wheel is straightened.  

Runway behind you is wasted

Hold the aircraft on the Toe Brakes BRAKES ON PEDALS

  • Give it a full power THROTTLE FULL HOTAS.
  • Briefly check the engine instruments and warnings for any unusual values.​

Align, image by kaltokri, public domain

You are ready to go, but we will cover that in the next section.

Up Next

The next section continues with the Take-off.