MiG-21bis FishbedDCS WORLD Startup Checklist · 120 steps

MiG-21bis Fishbed

DCS WORLD — 0/120 STEPS

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MiG-21bis Fishbed
Wikimedia CommonsCC BY-SA 4.0
FighterCold War

AIRCRAFT BRIEF

The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 is the most-produced supersonic jet aircraft in history, with over 11,000 built across 60+ countries. The 'bis' variant, introduced in 1972, represented the ultimate evolution of the MiG-21 design with the powerful Tumansky R-25-300 engine featuring an emergency afterburner mode. Fast, agile, and unforgiving, it earned the nickname 'Balalaika' for its delta-wing shape and remains a favorite among DCS pilots for its challenging yet rewarding flight characteristics.

Startup Walkthrough

SPECIFICATIONS

manufacturerMikoyan-Gurevich
first Flight1972
roleInterceptor / Multirole fighter
crew1 pilot
engines1x Tumansky R-25-300 (15,653 lbf with AB)
max Speed2,175 km/h (Mach 2.1)
range1,470 km (794 nmi)
ceiling57,400 ft
weight10,050 kg (MTOW)
PHS 1 — Electrical / Pre-Start8 steps
01ThrottleOFF
02Parking BrakeSET
03BatteryON
04Ground PowerCONNECT (if available)
05DC BusCHECK — Voltage normal
06Fuel SystemCHECK — Transfer pumps ON
07Fuel QuantityCHECK — Adequate
08Cone (Intake Shock Cone)CHECK — Retracted
PHS 2 — Engine Start8 steps
01Start SystemSELECT — Air start or electric
02Engine Start ButtonNOTE: Tumansky R-25-300 turbojet starts.PRESS
03RPMMONITOR — N1 rising
04ThrottleCAUTION: Advance gently — R-25 is sensitive to fuel flow.IDLE (at 25–30% RPM)
05EGTWARNING: EGT must not exceed 600°C during start.MONITOR
06Engine StabilizeCHECK — ~45% idle RPM
07Oil PressureCHECK — Normal
08Ground PowerDISCONNECT
PHS 3 — Post-Start / Systems10 steps
01GeneratorON
02AC InverterON
03Hydraulic PressureCHECK — Normal (both systems)
04Flight ControlsCYCLE — Stick and rudder full travel
05SAS (Stability Augmentation)ON — Pitch, Yaw
06ARU (Auto-throttle limiter)ON
07FlapsCHECK — Cycle and return
08Air BrakeCHECK — Extend and retract
09TrimSET — Takeoff
10NWSON
PHS 4 — Avionics / Navigation10 steps
01RSBN (Radio Nav)NOTE: Soviet short-range navigation system.ON — Set channel
02ARK (ADF)ON — Set frequency
03Radio (R-832)SET frequency
04SOD (IFF)ON
05SPO (RWR)NOTE: Sirena-3M radar warning receiver.ON
06ASP GunsightNOTE: Select fixed or gyro mode.ON — Set mode
07Radar (RP-22 Sapfir)NOTE: Allow warm-up before OPR.STBY
08AltimeterSET — Field elevation / QFE
09Gyro / KPP (ADI)SET — Cage and uncage
10ClockSET
PHS 5 — Before Taxi7 steps
01CanopyCLOSE & LOCK
02Ejection Seat (KM-1)WARNING: Verify canopy locked before arming.ARM
03Pitot HeatON
04Taxi LightON
05Anti-Collision LightON
06Parking BrakeRELEASE
07BrakesCHECK
PHS 6 — Taxi5 steps
01NWSCHECK responsive
02Taxi SpeedCAUTION: MiG-21 has poor forward visibility — taxi slowly.SAFE — max 15 kts
03InstrumentsCHECK during taxi
04Flight ControlsFREE & CORRECT
05BrakesCHECK — Both sides
PHS 7 — Before Takeoff10 steps
01CanopyCONFIRM LOCKED
02Ejection SeatCONFIRM ARMED
03FlapsNOTE: Flaps down for takeoff.SET — Takeoff (25°)
04TrimSET — Takeoff
05ConeCHECK — Retracted
06RadarOPR (if warm)
07AltimeterSET — Field elevation
08Fuel QuantityCHECK — Adequate
09Master ArmSAFE
10Drag ChuteNOTE: Verify drag chute is loaded and armed.ARMED
PHS 8 — Takeoff10 steps
01Lineup on RunwayCENTERLINE
02BrakesHOLD
03ThrottleNOTE: Check engine instruments.MIL POWER
04BrakesRELEASE
05ThrottleAFTERBURNER (if required)
06NWSMAINTAIN centerline
07RotationNOTE: Ease stick back — lift nose at ~270 km/h.ROTATE at 270–300 km/h
08Positive ClimbCONFIRMED
09Landing GearUP
10FlapsRETRACT (above 400 km/h)
PHS 9 — After Takeoff / Climb7 steps
01Landing GearCONFIRM UP
02FlapsCONFIRM RETRACTED
03AirspeedACCELERATE to 500–600 km/h
04ThrottleMIL or as required
05AltimeterCHECK
06Taxi / Landing LightsOFF
07Climb AltitudeAS ASSIGNED
PHS 10 — Cruise / Transit7 steps
01AltitudeAT assigned level
02AirspeedNOTE: Max Mach 2.1. Cruise ~900 km/h.AS REQUIRED
03Cone (Shock Cone)NOTE: Regulates engine airflow at supersonic speeds.CHECK — Auto extends above Mach 1.5
04AutopilotENGAGE (if desired)
05Fuel StateNOTE: MiG-21 has limited fuel — monitor closely.MONITOR
06Navigation (RSBN)CHECK
07SPO (RWR)MONITOR
PHS 11 — Descent / Approach8 steps
01AirspeedREDUCE below 600 km/h
02AltimeterSET — Local QFE
03RSBN / ARKSET approach aids
04Approach Speed~350 km/h (with flaps)
05Landing GearDOWN (below 500 km/h)
06FlapsDOWN — 45°
07Landing LightON
08Master ArmSAFE
PHS 12 — Landing6 steps
01Approach SpeedNOTE: Delta wing — higher approach speed.MAINTAIN ~330 km/h
02ThrottleIDLE at touchdown
03NosewheelLOWER gently
04Drag ChuteNOTE: Deploy immediately after touchdown.DEPLOY
05BrakingAPPLY
06NWSENGAGE below 150 km/h
PHS 13 — After Landing6 steps
01Drag ChuteJETTISON
02FlapsRETRACT
03RadarSTBY
04SOD (IFF)STBY
05Landing LightOFF
06Taxi to ParkingNWS ENGAGED
PHS 14 — Shutdown18 steps
01Parking BrakeSET
02Radar (Sapfir)OFF
03SPO (RWR)OFF
04SOD (IFF)OFF
05RadioOFF
06RSBNOFF
07ARK (ADF)OFF
08ASP GunsightOFF
09Ejection SeatWARNING: Safe seat before ground crew approach.SAFE
10ThrottleOFF
11SASOFF
12GeneratorOFF
13AC InverterOFF
14Fuel PumpsOFF
15Pitot HeatOFF
16All LightsOFF
17BatteryOFF
18CanopyOPEN