Details of the CSM Simulator
NEWS FLASH!
Version 10 is now available in Spanish, as well as the English, American, German and French available earlier. Compared to v9, v10 has better graphics (256 colours, better resolution), the CSM 'heading-hold' gyro, better file handling, 4-servo wings, thermals and much more.
This program is designed to provide a serious training aid for model fixed wing and helicopter pilots at all levels of competence. To ensure a high degree of realism the program uses detailed sets of complex aerodynamic equations to calculate the motion of the aeroplane or helicopter in real time. To make use of this precision an all new and efficient Three-Dimensional Graphics package delivers geometrically accurate colour graphics at an outstanding 36 frames per second
The simulator allows all the important properties of any conventional single-engined tractor monoplane or single rotor helicopter to be set in real units by the user to accurately simulate the performance of a given model. Many different models/set-ups can be saved on disk, and several standard models are supplied. This feature also allows the beginner and expert to investigate the effects that dimensional and trim changes make to the way a real model performs.
Computer requirements
A bare minimum for v10 is an IBM PC 486 DX2/66 (but a Pentium 120 is recommended) with 1 MByte RAM SVGA fully VESA bios compatible graphics card with 1MB video RAM
Suggested minimum for v9 is an IBM PC 486 DX2/66 with 1 MByte RAM Local bus (Visa or PCI) VGA adapter with 1MB video ram
Control requirements
The simulator can be controlled by any JR, Sanwa, Futaba, Multiplex, Graupner, Airtronics or HiTech R/C transmitter with a DSC (buddy-box) output and PPM mode. The CSM interface is plugged between the DSC output and the parallel (printer) port of your computer. The custom interface allows facilities such as trims, mixers, rate switches, Idle ups, throttle holds, etc, etc of your transmitter to be used in the same way as on a real model. Set the 'linkages' on the simulated model to match your real aircraft and you can fly your simulated model with the same control surface throws, pitch and throttle curves, gyro gain, rates, ATS, mixer setting etc. that you use for real. Because the transmitter communicates to the simulator via its DSC connector and does not need to transmit there is no danger of interference with other RC users. Battery life is also prolonged. The interface employs High Impedance Signal Coupling between the transmitter and computer to protect both pieces of equipment. Your printer should continue to work as normal through the interface, but occasional printer/computer combinations won't allow printing. If this is the case you may need a second LPT port if you wish to avoid having to keep unplugging the interface.
Just some of the features:
In both helicopter and aeroplane simulators
- Choose and Calibrate Transmitter
- Pick your transmitter off the list or choose 'new' and calibrate to your own requirements.
- Load and save aircraft
- Choose the craft to fly, alter it to suit you, then save again
- Engine properties
- Set both maximum power and peak power RPM.
- Auto Zoom
- On/off automatically zooms in for a 'binocular' close-up of your model when flying at a distance.
- Weather.
- Wind factor and turbulence factor. Thermals. Sun position (adjustable direction and altitude)
- Sound.
- Matched to engine RPM, and gives rotor noise under autorotation(helicopter), corrected for Doppler Shift to match pitch heard by pilot. Note: this is direct through the PC speakers and does not require a soundcard - these cannot change the pitch fast enough to keep up with the 36 frames a second needed.
- Information display
- When enabled, gives readout of engine RPM or rotor speed (helicopter) or airspeed (glider), height, distance from pilot.
- Crash Parameters
- Adjustable for: forward speed, sideslip, descent rate at touchdown - or crashdown!
- Slow manoeuvre Motion
- Slows down the simulation for practising difficult manoeuvres - a huge bonus for both beginner and expert pilots.
- New scenery features introduced in Version 9
- An improved and more flexible scenery graphics engine now allows a variety of airfields to be selected. These can contain a range of features such as runways, an FAI square for helicopter hovering practice, goal-posts and tunnels to sharpen up your flying accuracy in both fixed wing and helicopters. Buildings, walls, towers and clouds all to increase the cues for better orientation in the simulator. As always with CSM simulators, the graphics are rendered with geometrically accuracy and the resulting true perspective view provides excellent orientation. Full crash-detection is implemented for scenery objects (not the clouds!). Using the information supplied with the simulator, whole airfields and the objects within them can be customised by the user. Four user definable pilot viewpoints can be set for each airfield to suit practice of different manoeuvres.
- NEW for v10 - follow mode
- You can fly after your model, either closely or from a distance, with greatly improved graphics for both fields and aircraft.
Aeroplane adjustable features:
- Wing data
- Span, root chord, position, wingtip to chord ratio, dihedral, sweep, washout, rigging angle, camber etc.
- Tail surface data
- Tailplane span, chord, position, leading edge sweep and taper, fin height, chord, position.
- Fuselage
- Maximum height, length, width, aerodynamic centre above and behind datum point.
- Undercarrriage
- Adjustable for tricycle or tail dragger style, wheel position, track width, rolling friction coefficient plus nose up and down limits.
- Control Surfaces
- Aileron, rudder, elevator and flaps adjustable for span, chord and throw.
- Propellers
- Adjustable for diameter, pitch, number of blades, blade chord and position with respect to datum.
- Fuel tank
- Capacity can be up to 1 litre (37 fluid ounces). Yes, you will run out of fuel if you get your sums wrong or enjoy your flight too much!
- Weight and balance
- Overall aircraft weight, centre of gravity, yaw, pitch and roll inertia can all be defined.
- Main wing aerodynamics
- Select different aerofoils from the library supplied. Serious designers will love altering the lift slope, the width of the stall region, attack at onset of stall, drag at various lift coefficients and much more!
- Print out data sheets
- Design your own aeroplane model using the powerful user-friendly menus and see its shape change on screen as you modify its design. Print out data sheets for your latest aeroplane design.
Helicopter Adjustable Features
- Helicopter data
- Weight, boom length, yaw inertia, velocity stability, tank capacity.
- Rotor head data
- Paddle weight, chord and span, flybar length, etc.
- Main rotor properties
- Clockwise or anticlockwise rotation, disc diameter, main blade chord, blade weight, min. and max. collective pitch, blade drag coefficient, etc.
- Tail rotor properties
- Diameter, chord, pitch centre and throw.
- Gearing
- Main to tail rotor ratio
- Gyro
- Two switchable values (on transmitters with gyro switch)
- Position/axis freeze
- Allows beginners to lift off, lock height and get familiar with cyclic/tail rotor controls without crashing!
The next stage
We hope to add extra features such as biplanes, delta wings, ducted fans, etc in later releases: a 'wish list' is open if you want to let us know what you want.
Where to get it
Any good model shop, or from many mailorder companies
The CSM 3 in 1 R/C Flight Simulator is distributed world-wide to the trade by:-
RC Models Distribution Ltd
Woodfield House
Woodfield Road
Altrincham
Cheshire
WA14 4ED
England
Tel. +44 (0) 161 929 5955 Fax. +44 (0) 161 929 5984
EMail: info@rcmodels.org
Contact CSM at:
Email: CSM_Ltd@compuserve.com
Tel./Fax (0044) 1457 854680
http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/CSM _Ltd March 2000