Skip to main content

Quick start

This page is intended for pilots discovering the Rafale. It covers the minimum setup required to complete a simple first flight from a cold-and-dark aircraft.

For your first flight, select good weather, daylight conditions and a familiar airport with a long runway. Use the interactive MSFS checklist alongside this guide: it can validate each item and move the camera to the relevant control.

note

The speeds provided in this guide are indicative. They vary with aircraft mass, external stores, wind, airfield elevation and temperature. See the full procedures section for reference values.

Essential controls​

Before loading the aircraft, make sure the following standard MSFS controls are assigned:

  • Pitch, roll and rudder axes.
  • Throttle:
    • Assign THROTTLE AXIS or THROTTLE 1 AXIS when using an axis.
    • Assign INCREASE THROTTLE and DECREASE THROTTLE when using buttons.
  • Wheel brakes and parking brake.
  • Landing gear.
  • TOGGLE AFTERBURNER if afterburner engagement is not included in the throttle axis range.

The Rafale also uses several repurposed simulator bindings for its HOTAS functions. These are not required for a first flight.

The complete binding list and the two available afterburner configurations are described in the control assignments section.

Open the EFB options page and enable the following assistance options for your first flights:

  • AUTO STORES SWITCH: automatically keeps the flight-control limits matched to the current loadout.
  • AUTO FUEL TOTALIZER: automatically initializes the fuel totalizer.
  • AUTO IRS ALIGN: keeps the inertial navigation system aligned without requiring the normal alignment sequence.

These options can be disabled individually later, once you are comfortable with the corresponding systems.

Cockpit essentials​

Only a few displays and controls are required for a basic flight:

  • The HUD is your primary flight reference. It displays airspeed, altitude, heading, flight path and approach guidance.
  • The HCD, directly below the HUD, displays the map and navigation information.
  • The left and right lateral displays provide access to the aircraft system pages.
  • PDS1, below the left lateral display, is used to select avionics pages and the active primary mode.
  • The 5K selector on the main panel controls the main electrical power and engine-start sequence.

Start the aircraft​

  1. Remove the external covers. Use the ladder to enter the cockpit, then remove it and close the canopy. The EFB provides a shortcut for removing all covers at once.

  2. Move the 5K selector from OFF to STBY. The left lateral display powers up and shows the NAV page.

  3. Start the APU and wait until its indicator remains steadily green.

  4. Move the 5K selector to NORM to power the complete avionics suite.

  5. If AUTO IRS ALIGN is disabled, open the NAV page and select ALN. A complete alignment takes approximately four minutes and requires the aircraft to remain stationary. The sequence can be interrupted after approximately two minutes, once the normal HUD indications appear.

  6. Set the throttle to idle and move both auxiliary engine controls to IDLE.

  7. Move the 5K selector to R to start the right engine. Then move it to L to start the left engine.

  8. Once both engines are running, move both auxiliary engine controls to NORM. The APU normally shuts down automatically unless the ECS remains enabled.

  9. Run the short flight-control system test from the right console. Wait for the green GO indication before taxiing.

  10. Set the General Safety Switch to HOT.

tip

The complete startup procedure includes fire-warning and other system checks. Follow the interactive checklist when you want to perform the full sequence.

Taxi​

  1. Confirm that INS alignment is complete or that AUTO IRS ALIGN is enabled.

  2. Remove the wheel chocks and switch on the taxi light.

  3. Release the parking brake. Nosewheel steering is enabled by default in the simulation. If required, toggle it using the INCREASE STEERING binding. Its indicator illuminates when steering is enabled.

  4. Apply thrust gently and use the rudder pedals to steer. Use differential braking for tight turns.

  5. Test the wheel brakes before allowing the aircraft to gain speed. Nosewheel steering disengages automatically above 60 knots.

info

It is normal for the aircraft to begin moving on its own with the throttle at idle, due to residual engine thrust.

Takeoff​

For a normal takeoff:

  1. Line up with the runway, center the controls and hold the wheel brakes.

  2. Advance the throttle to full dry thrust, release the brakes, then select full afterburner.

  3. Maintain the runway centerline using small rudder inputs.

  4. At approximately 130 knots in a clean or lightly loaded configuration, or 155 knots with a heavy load, apply a smooth aft-stick input and follow the fixed 13-degree pitch reference on the HUD.

  5. Once a positive rate of climb is established, retract the landing gear.

  6. Reduce thrust to leave the afterburner range when it is no longer required.

The aircraft does not have conventional trailing-edge flaps. Its leading-edge slats are controlled automatically by the flight-control system.

Basic handling​

Climb to a safe altitude before experimenting with the aircraft.

The flight-control system commands load factor in pitch. With the stick centered during steady flight, the aircraft tends to maintain approximately 1 G.

Use smooth control inputs. Maximum roll rate and G limits vary with the selected stores configuration.

For this first flight, concentrate on:

  • Performing gentle turns and altitude changes.
  • Reading the flight path vector on the HUD.
  • Managing airspeed without prolonged use of the afterburner.
  • Returning to straight-and-level flight before preparing for the approach.

Approach and landing​

  1. Reduce speed early and align with the runway. The indicative approach speed for a clean aircraft is approximately 130 knots. Use the airbrake if required.

  2. Extend the landing gear. This automatically selects the APP primary mode and changes the HUD to its approach presentation.

  3. The HUD brackets represent the normal target angle of attack, set to 16 degrees by default. Adjust thrust to position the flight path vector between the brackets while keeping it over the desired runway aiming point.

  4. Maintain a stable approach and make only small corrections. The 125-knot figure is a useful reference, but angle of attack is the primary approach target, and the actual airspeed varies with aircraft mass.

  5. As the runway approaches, smoothly reduce the rate of descent and touch down on the main landing gear. Move the throttle to idle after touchdown.

  6. Maintain directional control using the rudder and apply wheel braking progressively. Nosewheel steering becomes available below 60 knots.

  7. Vacate the runway, switch off the landing light and switch on the taxi light.

Shutdown​

Once parked:

  1. Set the parking brake and switch off the taxi and landing lights.

  2. Set the throttle to idle, then move both auxiliary engine controls to STOP.

  3. Switch off the exterior lights and move the 5K selector to OFF.

  4. Open the canopy and install the ladder, covers and wheel chocks if desired.

Refer to the full checklists for the complete parking and securing sequence.

Next steps​

Once you are comfortable with a basic flight, continue with: