diff --git a/test/freeflow/staggered/channeltestproblem.hh b/test/freeflow/staggered/channeltestproblem.hh
index bdb9399edc0cfe944dc1f5843d8c69011557a3cf..75c90e1fc1da264a21ccf149d7ab8ffbeda956be 100644
--- a/test/freeflow/staggered/channeltestproblem.hh
+++ b/test/freeflow/staggered/channeltestproblem.hh
@@ -24,13 +24,15 @@
 #ifndef DUMUX_CHANNEL_TEST_PROBLEM_HH
 #define DUMUX_CHANNEL_TEST_PROBLEM_HH
 
-#include <dumux/implicit/staggered/properties.hh>
-#include <dumux/freeflow/staggered/model.hh>
-#include <dumux/implicit/problem.hh>
+#include <dumux/freeflow/staggered/problem.hh>
+#include <dumux/discretization/staggered/properties.hh>
 #include <dumux/material/components/simpleh2o.hh>
 #include <dumux/material/fluidsystems/liquidphase.hh>
 #include <dumux/material/components/constant.hh>
 
+#include <dumux/discretization/staggered/properties.hh>
+#include <dumux/freeflow/staggered/properties.hh>
+
 namespace Dumux
 {
 template <class TypeTag>
@@ -74,8 +76,6 @@ SET_BOOL_PROP(ChannelTestProblem, EnableFVGridGeometryCache, true);
 SET_BOOL_PROP(ChannelTestProblem, EnableGlobalFluxVariablesCache, true);
 SET_BOOL_PROP(ChannelTestProblem, EnableGlobalVolumeVariablesCache, true);
 
-// Enable gravity
-SET_BOOL_PROP(ChannelTestProblem, ProblemEnableGravity, true);
 
 #if ENABLE_NAVIERSTOKES
 SET_BOOL_PROP(ChannelTestProblem, EnableInertiaTerms, true);
@@ -91,13 +91,14 @@ SET_BOOL_PROP(ChannelTestProblem, EnableInertiaTerms, false);
 template <class TypeTag>
 class ChannelTestProblem : public NavierStokesProblem<TypeTag>
 {
-    typedef NavierStokesProblem<TypeTag> ParentType;
+    using ParentType = NavierStokesProblem<TypeTag>;
+
+    using GridView = typename GET_PROP_TYPE(TypeTag, GridView);
+    using Scalar = typename GET_PROP_TYPE(TypeTag, Scalar);
 
-    typedef typename GET_PROP_TYPE(TypeTag, GridView) GridView;
-    typedef typename GET_PROP_TYPE(TypeTag, Scalar) Scalar;
 
     // copy some indices for convenience
-    typedef typename GET_PROP_TYPE(TypeTag, Indices) Indices;
+    using Indices = typename GET_PROP_TYPE(TypeTag, Indices);
     enum {
         // Grid and world dimension
         dim = GridView::dimension,
@@ -118,11 +119,10 @@ class ChannelTestProblem : public NavierStokesProblem<TypeTag>
     };
 
     using BoundaryTypes = typename GET_PROP_TYPE(TypeTag, BoundaryTypes);
-    using TimeManager = typename GET_PROP_TYPE(TypeTag, TimeManager);
 
     using Element = typename GridView::template Codim<0>::Entity;
-    using Intersection = typename GridView::Intersection;
 
+    using FVGridGeometry = typename GET_PROP_TYPE(TypeTag, FVGridGeometry);
     using FVElementGeometry = typename GET_PROP_TYPE(TypeTag, FVElementGeometry);
     using SubControlVolume = typename GET_PROP_TYPE(TypeTag, SubControlVolume);
 
@@ -136,18 +136,10 @@ class ChannelTestProblem : public NavierStokesProblem<TypeTag>
     using SourceValues = typename GET_PROP_TYPE(TypeTag, BoundaryValues);
 
 public:
-    ChannelTestProblem(TimeManager &timeManager, const GridView &gridView)
-    : ParentType(timeManager, gridView), eps_(1e-6)
+    ChannelTestProblem(std::shared_ptr<const FVGridGeometry> fvGridGeometry)
+    : ParentType(fvGridGeometry), eps_(1e-6)
     {
-        name_ = GET_RUNTIME_PARAM_FROM_GROUP(TypeTag,
-                                             std::string,
-                                             Problem,
-                                             Name);
-
-        inletVelocity_ = GET_RUNTIME_PARAM_FROM_GROUP(TypeTag,
-                                             Scalar,
-                                             Problem,
-                                             InletVelocity);
+        inletVelocity_ = getParam<Scalar>("Problem.InletVelocity");
 
 #if NONISOTHERMAL
     if(inletVelocity_ > eps_)
@@ -160,16 +152,6 @@ public:
      */
     // \{
 
-    /*!
-     * \brief The problem name.
-     *
-     * This is used as a prefix for files generated by the simulation.
-     */
-    std::string name() const
-    {
-        return name_;
-    }
-
 #if NONISOTHERMAL
     void episodeEnd()
     {
@@ -303,17 +285,16 @@ private:
 
     bool isOutlet(const GlobalPosition& globalPos) const
     {
-        return globalPos[0] > this->bBoxMax()[0] - eps_;
+        return globalPos[0] > this->fvGridGeometry().bBoxMax()[0] - eps_;
     }
 
     bool isWall(const GlobalPosition& globalPos) const
     {
-        return globalPos[0] > eps_ || globalPos[0] < this->bBoxMax()[0] - eps_;
+        return globalPos[0] > eps_ || globalPos[0] < this->fvGridGeometry().bBoxMax()[0] - eps_;
     }
 
     Scalar eps_;
     Scalar inletVelocity_;
-    std::string name_;
 };
 } //end namespace
 
diff --git a/test/freeflow/staggered/test_channel.cc b/test/freeflow/staggered/test_channel.cc
index 9e6fef38637fbc07d1e08565410264afab838d7a..b3200d54ee6825304e14ef017015c0fe274fab99 100644
--- a/test/freeflow/staggered/test_channel.cc
+++ b/test/freeflow/staggered/test_channel.cc
@@ -21,9 +21,36 @@
  *
  * \brief Channel flow test for the staggered grid (Navier-)Stokes model
  */
-#include <config.h>
+ #include <config.h>
+
+ #include <ctime>
+ #include <iostream>
+
+ #include <dune/common/parallel/mpihelper.hh>
+ #include <dune/common/timer.hh>
+ #include <dune/grid/io/file/dgfparser/dgfexception.hh>
+ #include <dune/grid/io/file/vtk.hh>
+ #include <dune/istl/io.hh>
+
 #include "channeltestproblem.hh"
-#include <dumux/common/start.hh>
+
+#include <dumux/common/propertysystem.hh>
+#include <dumux/common/parameters.hh>
+#include <dumux/common/valgrind.hh>
+#include <dumux/common/dumuxmessage.hh>
+#include <dumux/common/defaultusagemessage.hh>
+
+#include <dumux/linear/seqsolverbackend.hh>
+#include <dumux/nonlinear/newtonmethod.hh>
+#include <dumux/nonlinear/newtoncontroller.hh>
+
+#include <dumux/assembly/staggeredfvassembler.hh>
+#include <dumux/assembly/diffmethod.hh>
+#include <dumux/implicit/staggered/newtoncontroller.hh>
+
+#include <dumux/discretization/methods.hh>
+
+#include <dumux/io/vtkoutputmodule.hh>
 
 /*!
  * \brief Provides an interface for customizing error messages associated with
@@ -57,8 +84,177 @@ void usage(const char *progName, const std::string &errorMsg)
     }
 }
 
-int main(int argc, char** argv)
+int main(int argc, char** argv) try
+{
+    using namespace Dumux;
+
+    // define the type tag for this problem
+    using TypeTag = TTAG(ChannelTestProblem);
+
+    // initialize MPI, finalize is done automatically on exit
+    const auto& mpiHelper = Dune::MPIHelper::instance(argc, argv);
+
+    // print dumux start message
+    if (mpiHelper.rank() == 0)
+        DumuxMessage::print(/*firstCall=*/true);
+
+    // parse command line arguments and input file
+    Parameters::init(argc, argv, usage);
+
+    // try to create a grid (from the given grid file or the input file)
+    using GridCreator = typename GET_PROP_TYPE(TypeTag, GridCreator);
+    GridCreator::makeGrid();
+    GridCreator::loadBalance();
+
+    ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+    // run instationary non-linear problem on this grid
+    ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+
+    // we compute on the leaf grid view
+    const auto& leafGridView = GridCreator::grid().leafGridView();
+
+    // create the finite volume grid geometry
+    using FVGridGeometry = typename GET_PROP_TYPE(TypeTag, FVGridGeometry);
+    auto fvGridGeometry = std::make_shared<FVGridGeometry>(leafGridView);
+    fvGridGeometry->update();
+
+    // the problem (initial and boundary conditions)
+    using Problem = typename GET_PROP_TYPE(TypeTag, Problem);
+    auto problem = std::make_shared<Problem>(fvGridGeometry);
+
+    // the solution vector
+    using SolutionVector = typename GET_PROP_TYPE(TypeTag, SolutionVector);
+    using DofTypeIndices = typename GET_PROP(TypeTag, DofTypeIndices);
+    typename DofTypeIndices::CellCenterIdx cellCenterIdx;
+    typename DofTypeIndices::FaceIdx faceIdx;
+    const auto numDofsCellCenter = leafGridView.size(0);
+    const auto numDofsFace = leafGridView.size(1);
+    SolutionVector x;
+    x[cellCenterIdx].resize(numDofsCellCenter);
+    x[faceIdx].resize(numDofsFace);
+    problem->applyInitialSolution(x);
+    auto xOld = x;
+
+    // the grid variables
+    using GridVariables = typename GET_PROP_TYPE(TypeTag, GridVariables);
+    auto gridVariables = std::make_shared<GridVariables>(problem, fvGridGeometry);
+    gridVariables->init(x, xOld);
+
+    // get some time loop parameters
+    using Scalar = typename GET_PROP_TYPE(TypeTag, Scalar);
+    const auto tEnd = getParam<Scalar>("TimeLoop.TEnd");
+    const auto maxDivisions = getParam<int>("TimeLoop.MaxTimeStepDivisions");
+    const auto maxDt = getParam<Scalar>("TimeLoop.MaxTimeStepSize");
+    auto dt = getParam<Scalar>("TimeLoop.DtInitial");
+
+    // check if we are about to restart a previously interrupted simulation
+    Scalar restartTime = 0;
+    if (Parameters::getTree().hasKey("Restart") || Parameters::getTree().hasKey("TimeLoop.Restart"))
+        restartTime = getParam<Scalar>("TimeLoop.Restart");
+
+    // intialize the vtk output module
+    using VtkOutputFields = typename GET_PROP_TYPE(TypeTag, VtkOutputFields);
+    VtkOutputModule<TypeTag> vtkWriter(*problem, *fvGridGeometry, *gridVariables, x, problem->name());
+    VtkOutputFields::init(vtkWriter); //! Add model specific output fields
+    vtkWriter.write(0.0);
+
+    // instantiate time loop
+    auto timeLoop = std::make_shared<TimeLoop<Scalar>>(restartTime, dt, tEnd);
+    timeLoop->setMaxTimeStepSize(maxDt);
+
+    // the assembler with time loop for instationary problem
+    using Assembler = StaggeredFVAssembler<TypeTag, DiffMethod::numeric>;
+    auto assembler = std::make_shared<Assembler>(problem, fvGridGeometry, gridVariables, timeLoop);
+
+    // the linear solver
+    using LinearSolver = Dumux::UMFPackBackend<TypeTag>;
+    auto linearSolver = std::make_shared<LinearSolver>();
+
+    // the non-linear solver
+    using NewtonController = StaggeredNewtonController<TypeTag>;
+    using NewtonMethod = Dumux::NewtonMethod<TypeTag, NewtonController, Assembler, LinearSolver>;
+    auto newtonController = std::make_shared<NewtonController>(leafGridView.comm(), timeLoop);
+    NewtonMethod nonLinearSolver(newtonController, assembler, linearSolver);
+
+    // time loop
+    timeLoop->start(); do
+    {
+        // set previous solution for storage evaluations
+        assembler->setPreviousSolution(xOld);
+
+        // try solving the non-linear system
+        for (int i = 0; i < maxDivisions; ++i)
+        {
+            // linearize & solve
+            auto converged = nonLinearSolver.solve(x);
+
+            if (converged)
+                break;
+
+            if (!converged && i == maxDivisions-1)
+                DUNE_THROW(Dune::MathError,
+                           "Newton solver didn't converge after "
+                           << maxDivisions
+                           << " time-step divisions. dt="
+                           << timeLoop->timeStepSize()
+                           << ".\nThe solutions of the current and the previous time steps "
+                           << "have been saved to restart files.");
+        }
+
+        // make the new solution the old solution
+        xOld = x;
+        gridVariables->advanceTimeStep();
+
+        // advance to the time loop to the next step
+        timeLoop->advanceTimeStep();
+
+        // write vtk output
+        vtkWriter.write(timeLoop->time());
+
+        // report statistics of this time step
+        timeLoop->reportTimeStep();
+
+        // set new dt as suggested by newton controller
+        timeLoop->setTimeStepSize(newtonController->suggestTimeStepSize(timeLoop->timeStepSize()));
+
+    } while (!timeLoop->finished());
+
+    timeLoop->finalize(leafGridView.comm());
+
+    ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+    // finalize, print dumux message to say goodbye
+    ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+
+    // print dumux end message
+    if (mpiHelper.rank() == 0)
+    {
+        Parameters::print();
+        DumuxMessage::print(/*firstCall=*/false);
+    }
+
+    return 0;
+} // end main
+catch (Dumux::ParameterException &e)
+{
+    std::cerr << std::endl << e << " ---> Abort!" << std::endl;
+    return 1;
+}
+catch (Dune::DGFException & e)
+{
+    std::cerr << "DGF exception thrown (" << e <<
+                 "). Most likely, the DGF file name is wrong "
+                 "or the DGF file is corrupted, "
+                 "e.g. missing hash at end of file or wrong number (dimensions) of entries."
+                 << " ---> Abort!" << std::endl;
+    return 2;
+}
+catch (Dune::Exception &e)
+{
+    std::cerr << "Dune reported error: " << e << " ---> Abort!" << std::endl;
+    return 3;
+}
+catch (...)
 {
-    typedef TTAG(ChannelTestProblem) ProblemTypeTag;
-    return Dumux::start<ProblemTypeTag>(argc, argv, usage);
+    std::cerr << "Unknown exception thrown! ---> Abort!" << std::endl;
+    return 4;
 }
diff --git a/test/freeflow/staggered/test_channel_stokes.input b/test/freeflow/staggered/test_channel_stokes.input
index 6dad824637992bb6c79ba9354da81bbb4a97a60e..916011989126437567270b98e9597ec0095163ad 100644
--- a/test/freeflow/staggered/test_channel_stokes.input
+++ b/test/freeflow/staggered/test_channel_stokes.input
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-[TimeManager]
+[TimeLoop]
 DtInitial = 1 # [s]
 TEnd = 2 # [s]
 
@@ -9,7 +9,6 @@ Cells = 100 50
 [Problem]
 Name = test_channel_stokes # name passed to the output routines
 InletVelocity = 1
-LiquidDensity = 1
 EnableGravity = false
 
 [ Newton ]
@@ -17,4 +16,5 @@ MaxSteps = 10
 MaxRelativeShift = 1e-8
 
 [Vtk]
+AddVelocity = true
 WriteFaceData = false