Start the iFly 737 MAX from cold and dark in MSFS with the correct battery, APU, IRS, bleed-air, fuel and engine-start sequence.
To start the iFly 737 MAX from cold and dark in Microsoft Flight Simulator, switch on the battery and establish ground or APU power, align the IRS, initialise the FMC, configure fuel and bleed air, then start engine 2, followed by engine 1. Transfer to engine generators and restore the normal after-start systems.
Begin with a true cold-and-dark aircraft
A genuine cold-and-dark start begins at a parking stand with the engines, APU and major electrical systems off. Use the World Map to configure MSFS to spawn at a gate or parking stand, not on an active runway.
Once the iFly aircraft has finished loading, select its cold-and-dark panel state through the tablet or state-loading facility. The precise button wording can vary between iFly builds. Set the parking brake or fit the tablet-controlled chocks before applying power, and avoid loading the same state again after beginning the procedure because that can silently reset switches and fuel controls.
iFly 737 MAX cold-and-dark start sequence
The reliable order is electrical power, APU, IRS and FMC setup, pneumatic configuration, engine start and after-start configuration.
- Apply battery power: Set the BATTERY switch to ON, STANDBY POWER to AUTO and BUS TRANSFER to AUTO. The battery gives limited initial power; the main displays and avionics need an AC source.
- Connect ground power if available: Request the GPU through the iFly tablet, wait for the blue GRD POWER AVAILABLE indication, then operate the GRD POWER switch. Ground power is useful for cockpit preparation, but a GPU alone does not provide the pneumatic air needed to turn the engines.
- Start the APU: Move the APU selector to START and release it to ON. With no AC fuel pump operating, the APU’s DC fuel pump normally supplies it; the left aft main-tank pump can provide positive pressure when required by the checklist. Wait for the APU EGT to rise and stabilise and for the APU GEN OFF BUS indication, then connect the APU generator switches. Our explanation of how the APU provides electrical power and bleed air covers what each indication means.
- Align the IRS: Set both IRS selectors to NAV. On the CDU POS INIT page, copy a valid GPS position into the SET IRS POS line. Keep the aircraft stationary while it aligns; the alignment duration depends on the realism option selected in iFly.
- Prepare the cockpit: Initialise the FMC route and performance pages, set the departure runway, configure the MCP and check the required take-off trim. Set emergency exit lights to ARMED, window heat ON and the appropriate passenger signs. For the wider sequence, use our IRS and FMC setup after a cold-and-dark start.
- Complete the before-start configuration: Close doors, remove the jetway and ground equipment as required, and confirm the tug or parking brake is controlling the aircraft. Turn the main-tank fuel pumps ON; use centre-tank pumps only when that tank contains usable fuel and the iFly indications permit it. Keep both engine fuel control levers at CUTOFF until N2 is established. Switch the red anti-collision beacon ON immediately before pushback or engine start.
- Configure bleed air: Confirm the APU is running, set APU BLEED ON, leave the engine bleed switches ON, set both PACK switches OFF and place the isolation valve OPEN. AUTO may open the valve with both packs off, but OPEN removes ambiguity in the simulation. Verify that duct pressure is available before touching an engine start switch.
- Start engine 2: Move the right ENGINE START switch to GRD. Confirm START VALVE OPEN and increasing N2. At approximately 25% N2, or at the stable motoring value specified by the iFly checklist and never below its minimum, move the right fuel control lever to IDLE. Check for fuel flow, an EGT rise, oil pressure and increasing N1. The start switch should leave GRD automatically after starter cut-out. Our focused guide to the 737 starter, N2 and fuel-introduction sequence explains these indications in more detail.
- Start engine 1: Repeat the same sequence with the left ENGINE START switch and left fuel control lever. Engine 2 first is the normal simulator flow, but the engines are not mechanically restricted to that order.
What should be switched on after both engines start?
After both engines stabilise, transfer the aircraft from APU services to its normal engine-driven systems before taxiing.
- Move the GEN 1 and GEN 2 switches momentarily to ON and verify that the engine generators have taken the electrical load.
- Set both PACK switches to AUTO, return the isolation valve to AUTO and leave the engine bleed switches ON.
- Switch APU BLEED OFF, remove any remaining APU generator load, then shut down the APU.
- Turn the electric hydraulic pumps ON and confirm normal hydraulic pressure.
- Turn probe heat ON. Leave window heat ON.
- Set the engine start switches to the position required by the iFly checklist; CONT is commonly selected for take-off, but procedures differ during taxi.
- Set take-off flaps, stabiliser trim and autobrake RTO, then perform a flight-control check and recall check.
Do not taxi solely because both engines are running. Confirm that the IRS is aligned, the route is active, the flight instruments agree and no start, electrical or hydraulic warning remains.
Why will the iFly 737 MAX engines not start?
Most failed iFly 737 MAX starts come from missing AC power, no pneumatic pressure or introducing fuel before the starter has established N2.
| Symptom | Likely cause and fix |
|---|---|
| Cockpit remains dark | Check BATTERY ON and STANDBY POWER AUTO, then connect an available GPU or the APU generators. Seeing GRD POWER AVAILABLE does not mean it is connected. |
| APU runs but avionics remain unpowered | The APU generator switches have not been operated. Connect them and verify that the transfer buses are powered. |
| Start switch is at GRD but N2 stays at zero | There is no usable start air. Confirm APU BLEED ON, packs OFF, isolation valve OPEN and positive duct pressure. |
| N2 rises but there is no EGT rise | The fuel control lever may still be at CUTOFF, or fuel pumps and fuel quantity are incorrect. Return the lever to CUTOFF before attempting another start. |
| IRS ALIGN flashes or never completes | Enter a valid present position, keep the aircraft stationary and allow the selected realistic alignment time to finish. |
| Engines run but electrical warnings remain | Connect GEN 1 and GEN 2. Starting an engine does not guarantee that its generator has taken the bus in every saved state. |
If a start becomes hot, hung or otherwise abnormal, return the affected fuel control lever to CUTOFF rather than repeatedly adding fuel. Let the indications settle, correct the air or fuel configuration and then retry.
Can I use the MSFS automatic engine-start command?
The default MSFS automatic-start command may light the engines but leave the iFly aircraft with incomplete pneumatic, electrical or FMC configuration. For a shortcut, use an iFly-supplied ready or turnaround panel state instead; it is designed to configure the add-on’s own systems together.
If switches move back by themselves during a manual start, disable assisted aircraft systems or AI piloting. Assistance features can conflict with a complex add-on even when the cockpit procedure is correct.