DCS F-16 checklist

Welcome to the F-16 checklist, a comprehensive guide designed to demystify the myriad buttons and switches within the cockpit of the F-16 Fighting Falcon. This checklist is your key to understanding the functions associated with each button, ensuring that you have a clear and concise reference for operating this cutting-edge fighter aircraft. The checklist is specifically tailored for optimal use on a compact tablet, ensuring convenience for easy accessibility during your flight.

EXTERIOR INSPECTION Uncheck all in start list.

1	Wheel Chocks – Request Placed.
2	Rearm/Refuel Menu – Set.

3	Helmet device – Selected.

VERIFY CHECK Uncheck all in start list.

1	FUEL MASTER switch – MASTER.
2	ENG FEED knob – NORM.
3	EPU switch – NORM.
4	Throttle – OFF.
5	LG handle – DN and locked.
6	HOOK switch – UP.

7	MASTER ARM switch – OFF.
8	AIR SOURCE knob – NORM.
9	C&I Knob – BACKUP.
10	EXT LIGHTING control panel – As required. a. Anti collision - fl# b. Position - Steady c. Wing/Tail - as req (non tac, brt day, dim, night) d. Fuselage/Form/AR - OFF e. Taxi/Landing - OFF
11	Ejection safety lever – Safe (up).
12	MAIN PWR switch – OFF.

PRE START Uncheck all in start list.

1	MAIN PWR switch – BATT. a. MAIN, STBY, FLCS RLY lights – ON
2	AVIONICS - UFC > ON.
3	Set PRIMARY and AUXILIARY briefed channels.
4	FLCS PWR TEST switch – TEST and hold. a. FLCS PWR lights (4) – ON b. ACFT BATT TO FLCS light – ON c. FLCS RLY light – OFF d. FLCS PMG light – ON
5	FLCS PWR TEST switch – Release.

6	JFS RUN light – Check OFF.
7	MAIN PWR switch – MAIN PWR. a. FLCS RLY light – ON b. ELEC SYS light – ON c. SEC light – ON d. ENGINE light – ON e. HYD/OIL PRESS light – ON
8	EPU and EPU PMG light – Confirm OFF.
9	Communications – Established.
10	Canopy – As desired.

COLD START Uncheck all in start list.

1	JFS Switch – As required. a. JFS RUN light – ON within 30 sec b. ACFT BATT – TO FLCS light c. FLCS RLY light – OFF d. FLCS PMG light – PN
2	SEC caution light – Check off (~20% RPM).
3	Throttle – Advance to IDLE at 20% RPM. a. 25% RPM — HYD/OIL light ON b. HYD A & B – Above 1000 psi
4	ENGINE warning light – OFF at ~55% RPM.
5	JFS switch – Confirm OFF.
6	HYD/OIL PRESS warning light – OFF.

7	FUEL FLOW – 500-2000 pph.
8	OIL pressure – 15 psi (minimum).
9	NOZ POS – Greater than 80%.
10	RPM – 65-77%.
11	FTIT – 625° or less.
12	HYD PRESS A&B – 2850-3250 psi.

POST START Uncheck all in start list.

PRE TAXI Uncheck all in start list.

1	Canopy – Close and lock.
2	INS knob – NAV.
3	MIDS knob – ON.
4	C&I knob – UFC.

5	DTC – Load.
6	MIDS initialization – Accomplish. a. DED – Verify NET STATUS page b. ICP – Depress T-ILS to access page c. TACAN CHANNEL – Entered d. HSI – Select TCN or PLS/TCN
7	Wheel chocks – Remove.
8	Exterior lights – As required.

TAXI Uncheck all in start list.

1	Brakes and NWS – Check.

2	Heading – Check.

BEFORE TAKEOFF Uncheck all in start list.

1	ALT FLAPS switch – NORM.
2	Trim – check pitch and yaw centered and roll as required.
3	ENG CONT switch – PRI (guard down).
4	Speedbrakes – Closed.
5	Canopy – Close, lock, light off.
6	IFF – Set and check.
7	External tanks - Verify feeding.
8	FUEL QTY SEL knob – NORM.
9	STORES CONFIG switch – As required.

10	Weapons – On, setup and align.
11	TGP – Stow.
12	PROBE HEAT switch – PROBE HEAT.
13	RDR ALT switch – RDR ALT.
14	Ejection safety lever – Arm (down).
15	ALOW MSL FLOOR data – Check.
16	ECM panel – As required.
17	Rotate/T/O speed – Compute.

CLIMB/IN-FLIGHT-OPERATIONAL CHECKS Uncheck all in start list.

1	Gear lights – Check 3 off.
2	Fuel – Check quantity.
3	FUEL QTY SEL knob – NORM.

4	Engine instruments – Check.
5	HYD PRESS A & B – Check.

DESCENT/BEFORE LANDING Uncheck all in start list.

1	MASTER/LASER ARM – OFF.
2	Fuel – Check quantity.
3	Final approach airspeed – Compute.
4	Landing light – ON.

5	Altimeter – Check altimeter setting.
6	ANTI ICE switch – As required.
7	TGP – Stow.

AFTER LANDING Uncheck all in start list.

1	PROBE HEAT switch – OFF.
2	ECM power – OFF.
3	Speedbrakes – Close.
4	Ejection safety lever – Safe (up).

5	IFF MASTER knob – STBY.
6	IFF M-4 CODE switch – HOLD.
7	LANDING TAXI lights – As required.
8	ZEROIZE switch – As required.

PRIOR TO ENGINE SHUTDOWN Uncheck all in start list.

1	Canopy handle – Up.
2	C&I knob – BACKUP.

3	Avionics – OFF.

PRIOR TO HOT REFUELING Uncheck all in start list.

1	AFTER LANDING checks – Complete.
2	AIR REFUEL switch – OPEN; RDY light on.

3	RF switch – SILENT.
4	GND JETT ENABLE switch – OFF.

HOT REFUELING COMPLETE Uncheck all in start list.

1	AIR REFUEL switch – CLOSE.
2	RF switch – As required.

3	TAXI and BEFORE TAKEOFF checks – Perform.

FLAMEOUT LANDING Uncheck all in start list.

1	Stores – Jettison (if required).
2	Airspeed – 200.
3	EPU sw – ON.
4	JFS sw – START 2 below 20,000 feet MSL.
5	AIR SOURCE knob – RAM (below 25,000 ft).

6	DEFOG lever – Forward.
7	LG handle – DOWN.
8	ALT GEAR handle – Pull (if required).
9	Airspeed – 190 kts optimum in pattern.
10	After touchdown: a. HOOK sw – DOWN b. Engage parking brake c. OXYGEN – 100% d. AIR SOURCE knob – OFF e. EPU sw – OFF f. Shut down the engine

FENCE IN/OUT CHECK Uncheck all in start list.

1	Firepower, fuel (balanced and inert).
2	Emitters. a. TACAN set to A/A or off b. Radar, RALT and radios c. ALR and ALQ d. IFF e. Lights
3	Navigation.

4	Chaff/flare Armed, and camera on.
5	Employment of ECM and Master arm.

RADAR (MFD page = FCR) Show extra information.

Symbology CRM / RWS mode:

	Cursor with highest and lowest scan altitude.		Steerpoint.
	Current ping on target, gets darker after ping.		SAM, Soft-lock.
	STT lock.

MFD buttons
NORM - EXP	NORM, Normal zoomed out view. EXP, Expand zoomed in view.
🡙40 - 🡙80 - 🡙160	View range, lines on right side of MFD are 25%, 50% and 75% of the range.
A6 - A2 - A1	Azimuth (scan volume left-right) of 60°, 20° and 10° for radar.
1B - 2B - 3B	Bar (scan volume up-down) steps for radar.

CRM / RWS mode, Range While Search. Shows real-time radar pings.
1x TMS up	SAM, Situational Awareness Mode. Soft-lock, enemy does not know it's tracked.
2x TMS up	STT, Single Track Target.
TMS down	Unlock target.
TMS left, short	Request IFF, Identification Friend-or-Foe responce.
TMS right, long	Switch to CRM / TWS mode.
DMS down	Make page SOI.
DMS left	Toggle left MFD pages.

CRM / TWS mode, Track While Scan. Shows prediction of targets flightpath.
1x TMS up	Make system target / NO-LOCK
2x TMS up	STT, Single Track Target.
TMS right, short	With cursor not on any target: Make all targets a system target.
TMS right, short	With cursor on a target: LOCK closest target OR switch to next target.
TMS down	Unlock target / dump.

TARGETING POD (MFD page = TGP) Show extra information.

There is no extra information at this moment.

MFD buttons
TV - WHOT - BHOT	TV, television view. WHOT, white hot IR view. BHOT, black hot IR view.

CCRP mode, Continuously Computed Release Point. Needs to be selected as bombing mode on the weapon page.
TMS up	Point track (auto-follow).
2x TMS down	Center zero, swivel TGP to current STP (steerpoint).
TMS left	Cycle TV/WHOT/BHOT.
TMS right	Area track (STP) 3x max.

ELECTRONIC COUNTERMEASURE POD Show extra information.

ECM transmit knob.

ECM buttons.

- With the ECM pod, store config needs to be set to 3.
- Startup the ECM by pressing all 6 square buttons on the ECM panel. If they are on they should have an orange S.
- Set the transmit knob to 1 (by default it's set to 3, which means it's continues transmitting and everyone knows where you are).
- Blue T means it's transmitting for jamming.

CMS buttons
CMS down	Automatic ECM (green S).
CMS left	Chaff and/or flare (depending on program).
CMS right	Turn off automatic jamming.

MARK POINTS Show extra information.

	MARK (7) ICP button.		M-SEL (0) ICP button.
		Warning reset ICP switch.

Remove data notification in HUD: Hit ICP warning reset.

Via TGP
MARK (7)	On ICP opens mark point.
TMS up	Send TGP coordinates to ICP/DED.
IFF IN long	Send/share data to your flight.
Via HMCD
MARK (7)	On ICP opens mark point.
TMS up long	Puts marker on HMCD crosshair.
TMS up	Pins marker.
TMS up	Send marker coordinates to ICP/DED.
IFF IN long	Send/share data to your flight.
Optional	To make it a STPT hit M-SEL (0) on ICP.

Air-to-air refueling Show extra information.

	Air refuel switch.		DED data switch.
	List button.		ALOW (2) button.

Uncheck all in list.

1	Send intent to refuel (\ menu) to tanker which then replies with altitude and speed for refueling.
2	Add DED data to HUD by switching the DED data switch.
3	Open list by pressing list button.

4	Select list 2 BNGO by pressing the ALOW (2) button.
5	Open fuel cap by switching air refuel switch (Auto pilot will be disabled).
6	Send ready pre-contact (\ menu) to tanker when you're in position.

TACAN - ILS - IFR Show extra information.

	Barometeric altimeter.		T-ILS (1) ICP button.
	SEQ dobber.		ENTR button.
	M-SEL (0) ICP button.		HSI, M button and CRS knob.

- If a TACAN channel doesn't have a band mentioned on the map, you should use X-ray.
- The TACAN has 3 modes, namely: REC = receive, T/R = transmit and receive, A/A TR = air to air transmit and receive. They are shown by the DED when on the TACAN - ILS page.
- For IFR you need to be at 300 feet AGL for every mile out. Don't forget to set the barometeric altimeter correctly. Contact approach and request landing, they will reply with the QFE that you need to set in the barometer.

Cheatsheet true heading(shown in the F10 map) to magnetic heading.
Caucasus: -6° Germany: -4° Syria: -4/5° Persian Gulf: -2° Mariana: -1° Nevada: -12° Normandy(Modern): +1° Normandy(1944 WWII): +11/12°

Uncheck all in list.

1	Set the barometeric altimeter correctly for the airfield.
2	Hit the T-ILS button on the ICP.
3	Set the desired mode by using the SEQ on the dobber.
4	Dobber down, enter the channel number and hit ENTR.
5	If needed change the BAND by hitting the M-SEL button.
6	Set ILS FRQ and CRS(magnetic).

7	Set the HSI to TCN via the M(mode) button.
8	Set the desired course with the CRS knob.
9	Once the approach is lined up switch the HSI to mode PLS/TCN.
10	Fly the ILS steering cue(circle in HUD) into the flight vector.
11	Land without dying!

Air Traffic Control procedures

STARTUP

Pilot: [AIRPORT] TOWER, this is [CALL SIGN] (formation) REQUEST STARTUP (intentions: eg. VFR DEPARTURE TRAINING AREA ALPHA)	ATC: -
Pilot: -	ATC: [CALL SIGN] (formation) START UP APPROVED, QNH [XXXX] [CS] CONDITIONS
Pilot: QNH (read back) [CALL SIGN]	ATC: -

CLEARANCE

Pilot: -	ATC: [CALL SIGN] REPORT READY TO COPY ATC CLEARANCE
Pilot: [AIRPORT] TOWER, [CALL SIGN] READY FOR CLEARANCE	ATC: -
Pilot: -	ATC: [CALL SIGN] (FORMATION) CLEARED FOR VFR DEPARTURE TO [ZONE] EXIT [REPORTING POINT] SQUAWK XXXX WHEN AIRBORNE CONTACT APPROACH CHANNEL 3
Pilot: [READBACK]	ATC: -

TAXI

TAXI BEFORE TAKEOFF
Pilot: [AIRPORT] TOWER, [CALL SIGN] (FORMATION, N F-16) (AT PARKING XXX) REQUEST TAXI	ATC: -
Pilot: -	ATC: [CALL SIGN] (FORMATION) TAXI TO HOLDING POINT RUNWAY XX VIA XY, SQUAWK IN SEQUENCE
Pilot: [READBACK] SQUAWK IN SEQUENCE	ATC: -
TAXI AFTER LANDING
Pilot: [CALL SIGN] RUNWAY VACATED	ATC: -
Pilot: -	ATC: [CALL SIGN] TAXI VIA [A\|B\|C\|D] TO STAND XX
Pilot: VIA X TO STAND Y [CALL SIGN]	ATC: -

TAKEOFF

Pilot: [AIRPORT] TOWER, [CALL SIGN] READY FOR DEPARTURE	ATC: -
Pilot: -	ATC: [CALL SIGN] WIND XXX DEGREES XX KNOTS RUNWAY XX CLEARED FOR TAKEOFF, REPORT AIRBORNE
Pilot: RUNWAY XX CLEARED FOR TAKEOFF [CALL SIGN]	ATC: -
Pilot: [CALLSIGN] AIRBORNE	ATC: [CALLSIGN] ROGER

DEPARTURE

Pilot: [AIRPORT] APPROACH, [CALLSIGN] VFR DEPARTURE EXIT XXX	ATC: [CALLSIGN] ROGER
Pilot: -	ATC: [CALL SIGN] LEAVING THE ZONE, REGIONAL QNH XXXX, (MONITOR [AIRPORT] RADAR ON CHANNEL 11)
Pilot: XXXX ([AIRPORT] RADAR CHANNEL 11) [CALL SIGN]	ATC: -

ARRIVAL

Pilot: [AIRPORT] APPROACH, [CALL SIGN], (position, altitude) REQUEST LANDING INSTRUCTIONS FOR VISUAL APPROACH	ATC: -
Pilot: -	ATC: [CALL SIGN] [RUNWAY] QNH XXXX, [CONDITION] REPORT ENTRY [XXX]
Pilot: [RUNWAY] [QNH] REPORTING ENTRY [XXX] [CALL SIGN]	ATC: -
Pilot: [CALL SIGN] ENTERING XXX	ATC: -
Pilot: -	ATC: [CALL SIGN] CONTACT [AIRPORT] TOWER CHANNEL 2
Pilot: TOWER CHANNEL 2 [CALL SIGN]	ATC: -

HANDOVER TO TOWER

Pilot: -	ATC: [CALL SIGN] WHEN VACATING THE RUNWAY, CONTACT [AIRPORT] TOWER CHANNEL 2
Pilot: [READBACK]	ATC: -

LANDING (VFR)

Pilot: [AIRPORT] TOWER [CALL SIGN] (FORMATION) AT ENTRY XXX XXXXFT FOR LANDING / TOUCH AND GO	ATC: -
Pilot: -	ATC: [CALL SIGN] (FORMATION) JOIN INITIAL [RUNWAY NUMBER] (LEFT HAND) BREAK QNH XXX
Pilot: QNH XXXX [CALL SIGN]	ATC: -
Pilot: [CALL SIGN] (FORMATION) INITIAL RUNWAY XX FOR LANDING	ATC: -
Pilot: -	ATC: [CALL SIGN] (FORMATION) BREAK [number of how many people are in front] WIND XXX DEGREES XX KNOTS
Pilot: BREAK [NUMBER] [CALL SIGN]	ATC: -
Pilot: [CALL SIGN] ON THE BREAK	ATC: -
Pilot: -	ATC: [CALL SIGN] FINAL [NUMBER]
Pilot: FINAL [NUMBER], [CALL SIGN]	ATC: -
Pilot: [CALL SIGN] FINAL GEAR DOWN TO LAND	ATC: -
Pilot: -	ATC: [CALL SIGN] RUNWAY XX CLEARED TO LAND
Pilot: RUNWAY XX CLEARED TO LAND [CALL SIGN]	ATC: -

1	TEST switch panel – Check: a. PROBE HEAT switch – TEST b. Verify caution light flashing c. PROBE HEAT switch – OFF d. FIRE & OHEAT DETECT button – Test e. Verify OVERHEAT caution light f. Verify ENG FIRE warn lights g. MAL & IND LTS button – TEST h. Verify VMS audio messages and light indicators ON
2	SEC – CHECK: a. Throttle – IDLE for at least 30 sec b. Brakes – Apply c. ENG CONT switch – SEC d. Verify NOZZLE closing to <5% e. SEC caution light – ON f. Throttle – Advance to 73% minimum g. Verify engine response to throttle h. Throttle – IDLE i. ENG CONT switch – PRI j. Verify nozzle opening to >80% k. SEC caution light – OFF l. Brakes – Release
3	EPU – Check: a. OXYGEN – 100% b. EXT LIGHTING POSITION – FLASH c. EPU GEN and EPI PMG lights – OFF d. EPU switch – Confirm NORM e. Brakes – Apply f. Throttle – Increase 5% g. EPU/GEN TEST switch – Hold EPU/GEN h. EPU AIR light – ON i. FLCS PWR light – ON j. EPU RUN light – ON 5 sec minimum k. EPU/GEN TEST switch – OFF l. Throttle – Idle m. Brakes – Release n. EXT LIGHTING POSITION – Steady o. OXYGEN – As required
4	AVIONICS POWER panel – Set. a. MMC switch – MMC b. ST STA switch – ST STA c. MFD switch – MFD (24 sec warmup) d. UFC switch – UFC e. GPS switch – GPS f. DL switch – DL (10 sec after MMC) g. MIDS LVT knob – OFF h. Altimeter – Set i. EGI – ALIGN NORM
5	SNSR PWR panel – Set. a. LEFT HDPT switch – As required b. RIGHT HDPT switch – As required c. FCR switch – FCR d. RDR ALT switch – STBY
6	HUD – As desired.
7	Ejection seat – Adjust position height.
8	HMCS SYMBOLOGY INT knob – ON and align.
9	IFF MASTER knob – STBY.
10	LMFD – FLCS.
11	TRIM check – NEUTRAL-NORM.
12	FLT CONTROL panel: all switches positions looking inward.
13	Flight controls – Cycle.

14	FLCS BIT – Initiate and monitor.
15	LMFD – FLCS – BIT PASS message in parallel with FLCS BIT check run: a. Gear lights – Check three green b. EPU FUEL QUANTITY 95-102% c. MFDs – As desired d. Standby Attitude Indicator – Uncage
16	CMDS Panel – As required.
17	Speed brakes switch – Cycle.
18	DBU Check: a. Digital BACKUP switch – BACKUP b. Flight controls – Cycle c. DBU Warning light – Check on d. DIGITAL BACKUP switch – OFF
19	TRIM CHECK: a. TRIM/AP switch – DISC b. Trim – Up/Down/Left/Right c. Trim – Check no effect d. TRIM/AP switch – NORM
20	MPO CHECK.
21	FLCS lights – Check OFF.
22	AR system (if required) – Check.
23	Brakes – Check both channels.
24	Anti-ice – As required.
25	Avionic BIT’s – As desired.
26	Bullseye – ON.

Settings

F-16 shortcuts

DCS F-16 checklist

EXTERIOR INSPECTION Uncheck all in start list.

VERIFY CHECK Uncheck all in start list.

PRE START Uncheck all in start list.

COLD START Uncheck all in start list.

POST START Uncheck all in start list.

PRE TAXI Uncheck all in start list.

TAXI Uncheck all in start list.

BEFORE TAKEOFF Uncheck all in start list.

CLIMB/IN-FLIGHT-OPERATIONAL CHECKS Uncheck all in start list.

DESCENT/BEFORE LANDING Uncheck all in start list.

AFTER LANDING Uncheck all in start list.

PRIOR TO ENGINE SHUTDOWN Uncheck all in start list.

PRIOR TO HOT REFUELING Uncheck all in start list.

HOT REFUELING COMPLETE Uncheck all in start list.

FLAMEOUT LANDING Uncheck all in start list.

FENCE IN/OUT CHECK Uncheck all in start list.

RADAR (MFD page = FCR) Show extra information.

TARGETING POD (MFD page = TGP) Show extra information.

ELECTRONIC COUNTERMEASURE POD Show extra information.

MARK POINTS Show extra information.

Air-to-air refueling Show extra information.

TACAN - ILS - IFR Show extra information.

Air Traffic Control procedures

Settings Fullscreen

F-16 shortcuts

DCS F-16 checklist

EXTERIOR INSPECTION Uncheck all in start list.

VERIFY CHECK Uncheck all in start list.

PRE START Uncheck all in start list.

COLD START Uncheck all in start list.

POST START Uncheck all in start list.

PRE TAXI Uncheck all in start list.

TAXI Uncheck all in start list.

BEFORE TAKEOFF Uncheck all in start list.

CLIMB/IN-FLIGHT-OPERATIONAL CHECKS Uncheck all in start list.

DESCENT/BEFORE LANDING Uncheck all in start list.

AFTER LANDING Uncheck all in start list.

PRIOR TO ENGINE SHUTDOWN Uncheck all in start list.

PRIOR TO HOT REFUELING Uncheck all in start list.

HOT REFUELING COMPLETE Uncheck all in start list.

FLAMEOUT LANDING Uncheck all in start list.

FENCE IN/OUT CHECK Uncheck all in start list.

RADAR (MFD page = FCR) Show extra information.

TARGETING POD (MFD page = TGP) Show extra information.

ELECTRONIC COUNTERMEASURE POD Show extra information.

MARK POINTS Show extra information.

Air-to-air refueling Show extra information.

TACAN - ILS - IFR Show extra information.

Air Traffic Control procedures

Settings