To start the sim with engines/systems off (cold and dark)-start a flight in any aircraft (C172 will do fine) at any airport. Shutdown the engines and turn all systems and switches off. Save the flight, putting a check in the box next to 'Make this the default flight' before saving. When you start the sim this will be the flight loaded in the FS9-Create a Flight or FSX-Free Flight screens. You can change aircraft, airport, weather, etc and the flight will start cold and dark.
This will not effect flights you load from flights you previously saved.
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For specific default aircraft and general aircraft categories check the sim's Learning Center. For default and some add-ons check the Kneeboard for Reference and Checklist.
There are some manuals and checklists here at SimV-
http://www.simviation.com/fs_manuals1.htmAlso check out the 'Good site for manuals' sticky at the top of this forum.
A web search for <Sim version> <aircraft> checklist will often turn up something, even videos for some add-on aircraft.
At that time [1909] the chief engineer was almost always the chief test pilot as well. That had the fortunate result of eliminating poor engineering early in aviation. Igor Sikorsky
I intend to live forever....so far, so good. Steven Wright
You know....you can just rip up a to-do list.