F/A-18C startup, preflight checks, taxi 

That sounds of the engines turning over was always my favorite part of launching these jets as a place captain.

Best startup video of a F-18 yet. That "groan" during startup always gives me chills. Tells me she's coming to life.

The growl on start up always gives me chills. I love it.

I was a Plane Captain on A's and C's, VFA-132 Privateers, NAS Cecil Field/USS Coral Sea. Loved being a PC! And, to think it is an entry-level position for the junior Airmen of a squadron. (Not necessarily the case, here, though.) Lots of responsibility for a young 18-, 19-, 20-year old. It was a great way for a newbie to learn the basics of the aircraft before, eventually, going to their assigned work center. This is a nice video. But, to see a PC in all his/her glory, one must take a look at them at sea...brownshirts, covered in grease, weighted down with tie-down chains, and carrying a PON-6. Brownshirts all the way!

I love that sound. When I still lived at my father's house, you could hear the F-18s starting their engines at a base 30km away from us. I also served most of my mandatory service in the same base.

F-18C so much better looking than the E/F models..

Thanks mikedexter. Thanks for serving this great nation.

At 0:33 when you get called to the principal's office

Takeshi, thanks for clarifying. And thank you for serving this great nation.

@TheUnholyMistress , thanks for serving this great nation. What a great job too!

I have a friend who's a plane captain and he showed me how to prepare an F/A18 from my country's air force at his airbase workplace, really cool stuff!

Finally! A video of a real aircraft and not some lame FSX/virtual reality mash-up that's uploaded as if it's footage of the real thing. Thank you for posting this.

This Brings back memories ...... I was a plane captain on the FA/18 Based out of Cecil field VFA-136 Knighthawks. I made plane captain in record time. I could do this walk around in my sleep. Sooo much easier to do a walk around on board ship.

Engine start-up sound - sweet music

Man, the flaps and tail deflections look massive!

Loved the Hornets at Lemoore VFA-125. During the Winter we in Ground Support on our tractors would stay warm by driving behind F-18’s taxiing out to the runways. That exhaust could be what’s behind memory loss!

Sound of freedom

Such a beautiful aircraft. Thank You for nice video.

0:32 Love it so much!!

Right engine powers the hydraulics... it comes up second. That's when you see the Leading/trailing edge flaps come up. He cycles em shortly after.

Aaron, the right starts before left. If you look closely you can verify the right engine startup first as you see the exhaust from the right engine. As the left starts, you'll start to see exhaust from left engine. Also the airman assisting preflight checks was observing as each engine started.

That is so awesome. Thanks.

I can only imagine! Epic...

Why am I even watching this? I'm an AO, I get it in real life XD

Beautiful bird !!!!!

@joepapp01 No problem. Glad you like it. It's so much cooler and LOUDER in person.

I'm pretty sure if I had this sound for a ring tone Id never answer my phone.

Hey thanks to who posted this! Haha I'm the plane captain to this aircraft! Crazy to see a video I didn't even know was out there! Anyways nice video lol

@paddleslo You're welcome. And that is so sweet.

@struckeranduong No problem glad you like it.

Legacy hornets is cooler than Super hornets.

If you want to know the exact startup procedure download the f/a-18 NATOPS flight manual And go to page III-7-13 Everything you need to know :)

Bon reportage.

I'm joining the Airforce and want a little before hand help. Can you give me a link to somewhere that has the graphics for the pre flight checkride?

I want one :(

All that blurry stuff you see coming out of the back is tax dollars at work!

too long