How do you start the A320neo cold and dark in MSFS?

To start the Airbus A320neo cold and dark in Microsoft Flight Simulator, switch on both batteries, connect external power if available, align the ADIRS, start the APU, enable APU bleed, turn on the fuel pumps and beacon, then select IGN/START and start engine 2 followed by engine 1.

How do I load the A320neo cold and dark?

Choose a parking stand rather than a runway departure position, because a runway start normally loads the Airbus with its engines running. If an add-on restores its previous aircraft state, select its cold-and-dark state through the EFB or aircraft-state control where one is provided.

The following flow applies broadly to the original A320neo in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020, the A320neo V2 and enhanced A320neo add-ons. EFB controls, ground services and the depth of system simulation vary between aircraft.

A320neo cold-and-dark startup sequence

This sequence takes the aircraft from an unpowered gate state to both engines running at stable idle.

1. Secure the aircraft: Set the parking brake or confirm the chocks are fitted. Put the thrust levers at idle, both ENG MASTER switches at OFF and the ENG MODE selector at NORM. Confirm that fuel is loaded.
2. Switch on electrical power: Press BAT 1 and BAT 2 so their OFF lights extinguish. If the external-power pushbutton shows AVAIL, press it to connect the aircraft to ground power. Some versions require the power unit to be connected through the EFB or ground-services menu first.
3. Set the navigation systems: Turn all three ADIRS or IR selectors from OFF to NAV. Alignment can continue while the rest of the aircraft is prepared and does not prevent the engines from starting.
4. Start the APU: Press APU MASTER, wait briefly for the inlet flap to open, then press APU START. Do not continue until the APU indicates AVAIL; seeing the start light alone does not mean it is ready to supply air and electricity.
5. Prepare the pneumatic and fuel systems: Switch APU BLEED on and press the fuel-pump pushbuttons so their OFF lights extinguish. Leave the packs in their normal automatic configuration unless the checklist supplied with your particular add-on says otherwise.
6. Remove ground power: Once the APU is available and carrying the electrical load, switch external power off and disconnect the ground unit before pushback.
7. Make the area safe: Close the doors, confirm that ground equipment is clear or that pushback is connected, and switch the red anti-collision beacon on. Obtain any required pushback and engine-start clearance.
8. Select the start system: Move the ENG MODE selector to IGN/START.
9. Start engine 2: Move ENG MASTER 2 to ON. The FADEC handles the start automatically. Watch for increasing N2, EGT and oil pressure, then wait for the engine to settle at idle before touching the other master switch.
10. Start engine 1: Move ENG MASTER 1 to ON and monitor the same indications. Starting engine 2 first is the usual Airbus flow, although the system can start either engine first.
11. Complete the after-start actions: When both engines are stable, return the ENG MODE selector to NORM. Switch APU BLEED off, then switch off the APU when it is no longer required. The engine generators should assume the electrical load automatically; leave the fuel pumps on.

For the newer aircraft, our detailed A320neo V2 switch-by-switch procedure covers its particular cockpit and system behaviour. Users of the original aircraft can refer to our broader MSFS 2020 cold-and-dark walkthrough.

Why will the A320neo engines not start?

An A320neo engine normally fails to start because pneumatic pressure, fuel or the start command is missing. Check the indications rather than repeatedly cycling the engine master.

• No APU AVAIL indication: Confirm both batteries are on, APU MASTER is on and APU START was pressed. Wait for the full AVAIL indication before attempting an engine start.
• No N2 movement: APU BLEED must be on and the ENG MODE selector must be at IGN/START. Do not shut down the APU after starting only one engine.
• N2 rises but there is no light-off: Check the fuel quantity, fuel-pump pushbuttons and the relevant ENG MASTER switch. A hardware mixture, condition-lever or fuel-cut-off binding can override the virtual cockpit.
• The switch moves back by itself: Look for duplicate controller assignments or assistance features issuing conflicting commands. This is common when a throttle quadrant retains bindings intended for a different aircraft.
• The cockpit screens remain black: Battery power alone leaves parts of the aircraft unpowered. Connect external power or wait for the APU generator, then check the individual display-brightness controls.
• ADIRS still shows ALIGN: This affects navigation readiness, not engine rotation. Allow alignment to finish and enter or confirm the aircraft position if the chosen add-on requires it.

Can I start the A320neo without external power?

Yes. With adequately charged batteries, the A320neo can start its APU without external power; the APU generator then supplies the aircraft and APU bleed starts the engines. Ground power is preferred at the gate because it avoids unnecessary battery discharge while the cockpit is being prepared.

Remember that EXT PWR AVAIL means a source is connected and suitable, not that it is powering the aircraft. Press the external-power pushbutton to select it, then deselect and disconnect it after the APU has taken over.

What should I do after both engines are running?

After both engines stabilise, complete the after-start flow before taxi: check the electrical and hydraulic indications, configure the flaps and trim, test the flight controls, set the transponder and exterior lights, and use engine anti-ice when conditions require it.

Our phase-by-phase A320 normal checklist flow continues from cockpit preparation through taxi, take-off, approach and shutdown without repeating the startup procedure.