Beginners guide to starting the Cessna 172 from cold and dark in Microsoft Flight Simulator

It occurred to me while writing up a start-up guide for the Cessna 172 recently that I had never recorded a video showing it for newcomers. It's worth noting - this is NOT a complete guide - there is no walk-around, no preflight inspection, and so on - I'm purely showing you the functional steps required to get the plane up and running. Along the way I work through my own notes - which you can download from the link below:
ko-fi.com/s/0a...
#msfs #flightsimulator #aviation #flying #flight #simulator #microsoft #asobo #tobii
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Useful resources:
My homepage:
- jonbeckett.online
My flight simulation blog (subscribe by email for free!):
- jonbeckett.sub...
All of the functional procedures I have written up to get aircraft up and running in simulators:
- ko-fi.com/jonb...
The flight simulation community I founded (join for free!):
- virtualflight....
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Resources I use to create content:
Microsoft Flight Simulator
- www.flightsimu...
Navigraph (charts, flight planning, and tracking)
- navigraph.com
Copyright © 2023 Jeppesen. All rights reserved. The charts are available to the flight simulation community via Navigraph.
LittleNavMap (mapping software)
- albar965.githu...
OBS (Screen and audio capture)
- obsproject.com/
Tobii Eye Tracker 5 (head and eye tracking)
- gaming.tobii.c...
Volanta (flight tracking)
- volanta.app/
Simbrief (flight planning)
- simbrief.com
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Computer Specification:
- CPU : Intel Core i7 @ 3.60 Ghz (Skylake)
- GPU : NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080
- RAM : 16Gb
- HDD : 1863 Gb NVME
- NET : 500 megabit fibre

[@jonbeckett]

To download my start-up guide, visit the link below: ko-fi.com/s/0a0b3b693b

[@elmarbartel2699]

Just found your description for the start up of the 747-8. Would you have an explication for why the FMC does not work here while using the cockpit view which shows this instrument in large, please? I help myself by creating/adjusting an own view of the FMC from a side above. Good day!

[@jonbeckett]

@@elmarbartel2699 Without seeing what you're doing, it's difficult to say.

[@elmarbartel2699]

@@jonbeckett Thanks so much for your reply. After restarting the sim several times - it works!😅

[@jerrygreeno7181]

Please

[@elmarbartel2699]

Thank you so much!!! Your very practical tutorial brings me back from „desperately trying to learn how to handle the FMC of the 747“ to the joy of the uncomplicated and wonderful flying around with a plane. 😅 A great reminder of what the sim is really for…. Especially with these incredible sceneries. Thanks again. Love it.

[@ukar69]

I used to fly a ‘98 172R. The worst part of the preflight was checking the fuel drains. The 152 and PA28s have three, one under each wing and under the nose. The 172 had a total of 13, five under each wing and three under the nose. Unless you did them in the same order each time, you’d wonder if you’d done them all.

[@OfficialSheffieldCouncil]

Worst part as well is not connecting the end correctly and all the fuel flys out all over the hand and arm. Happened a few times to me.

[@stefanblackadder5236]

Thanks Jonathan. You should add checking the trim before takeoff because it’s universal to any aircraft.

[@ColtonRMagby]

I used this checklist this morning, and it made flying from KCXW to KLIT a lot easier, even though it's already straightforward.

[@pappinr]

Another bang on video Jonathan! Thank you so much. I live in Canada (Northern Ontario) but find myself flying all over the UK because of wanting to mimic your flights! My relatives live in and around Newcastle. Maybe I should fly around there sometime soon. Cheers!

[@ensorgumbs]

These series have been very helpful

[@yams900]

Good work mate ! I always enjoy watching your video creations :)

[@martygenska8117]

When you do a run-up check; you also need to check oil pressure/oil temps/amps/carb heat and finally idle. Just saying.

[@jonbeckett]

I may end up adding those tests - it's difficult to strike a balance between things that make a difference in the simulator versus the real world :)

[@basvh666]

Thank you ! just started playing this game in Vr its amazing

[@mofayer]

Which vr setup are you using? I used to play on PC years ago but vr sounds really fun, will probably try again.

[@basvh666]

oh i got a pico 4 pro. i think its only available in China. so i cant really help you with it.@@mofayer

[@paulcoyne4152]

Hi. I may be a bit late to this party, but is there any way to put your start-up guide PDF in the Check list tool bar for people like myself who use VR

[@joevoss335]

Thanks for all you do good sir

[@Mattlee1976]

Thanks

[@howardslade267]

Thanks for all your great videos. Do you have a procedure for starting the C182 RG?

[@jonbeckett]

That's a good idea!

[@johnblanchfield5796]

Great content as usual. Quick question: should Standby Battery be switched off after start up?

[@jonbeckett]

No - it should be left armed - so it can kick in if required.

[@user-ju8ye5he7x]

What a clear accent! Do you aways speak in?

[@jonbeckett]

Yes. It's the way I alway speak :)

[@Chucklesrailarchive]

When l learnt to fly we always did a low rpm mag check as well. Some years ago now maybe things have changed. But as you say it’s only a sim. I wonder if you could get a mag error if failure’s turned on? Though then you would need a sim mechanic to fix it😂

[@jonbeckett]

Some of the more accurate planes might simulate that - the Black Square aircraft are pretty good. The Comanche 250 is good too.

[@jakew9887]

Great presentation. Thanks

[@rogerwines6947]

Thank you

[@emileguertin]

Good idea to make sure parking break is on before starting engine?

[@jonbeckett]

As I said - I didn't do ALL of the checklist - otherwise it would be ten times longer. Fun story - when learning how to start the F-18 in DCS, I once unlocked the throttles before spinning the engines up - and the aircraft backfired and blew itself across the parking area in a cloud of smoke. I only did it once :) Was amazed it was simulated.

[@jonbeckett]

It may have been the F-5E - it was a long time ago :)

[@thomasmckendry8566]

You look so much younger than you sound. Must be the accent.

[@jonbeckett]

Hah! Funnily enough, I went to a gathering at Christmas and saw somebody I haven't seen for ages, and the first thing they said was "HOW DO YOU NOT AGE?" lol