According to an aspect, a ground-based health test of a fuel pump of a fuel control system of a gas turbine engine is initiated. A starter speed of the gas turbine engine is determined while the ground-based health test is in progress. Fuel flow is initiated from the fuel pump to an ignition system of the gas turbine engine with the starter speed set below a nominal ground-based engine starting speed. A parameter of the gas turbine engine is monitored to verify light-off. A health status of the fuel pump is determined based on the starter speed at which light-off is achieved.