The NHP/CSM Simulator comes equipped with an interface adapter, interface cord, simulation program, and instruction manual, and does not include a transmitter. Yes, the NHP/CSM Simulator allows the operator to use his own transmitter. While this is fine for the advanced operator, who already owns a compatible transmitter, it is not without a few drawbacks. The scope of a simulator is aimed at the newcomer, and most might not own a transmitter or even one that is compatible. Other modelers may not like the fact that there is not a dedicated transmitter for the simulator, to lesson the chance of it accidentally finding its' way from your counter to the floor. While there are a few disadvantages, on the plus side, it's nice to have the same feel while flying your model or the simulator. Secondly, it opens a new world of programming since you're now able to use all the features of your transmitter the same way you do as you fly your R/C model. All of your transmitters features such as pitch and throttle curves, gyro gains, idle ups, rates, revo mixes, etc. are available to achieve a realistic simulation of your electronic R/C model.
The NHP/CSM Simulator may be controlled with your own JR, Futaba or Airtronics transmitter. Your transmitter must have a throttle hold, a PPM (FM) mode and a DSC/Trainer output. These are required features to provide correct calibration between the transmitter and the computer simulator.
The NHP/CSM interface is accomplished with an "Interface Adapter" that connects to your parallel port of your computer (printer port). The interface cord plugs into the interface adapter which then plugs into your DSC/Trainer socket of your transmitter. The only hitch is, when ordering the system you must specify which cord you need since all three are different, ie; JR trainer cord for JR transmitters, NHP/Futaba interface cord for Futaba transmitters, and an NHP/Airtronics interface cord for Airtronics transmitters.
To interface with a JR transmitter, you leave the transmitter turned off and plug the interface cord into the DSC socket of the transmitter. When you plug into the DSC, the transmitter will come on but it does not power the RF module, so no actual transmission takes place. To interface with a Futaba transmitter, you'll have to remove the RF module to prevent transmission and plug the NHP/Futaba interface cord into the trainer socket and turn on the transmitter. To interface with an Airtronics transmitter, remove the RF module to prevent transmission and plug the NHP/Airtronics interface cord into the DSC/Trainer socket and turn on the transmitter.
The NHP simulator requires an IBM compatible computer with a minimum of a 486 processor, with l Meg of RAM, VGA graphics adapter, DOS 3.1 or later, and a 3.5" disk drive. While the simulator may be run from Windows, it is recommended that it be run directly from DOS.
In order for the simulator to operate properly, it needs to know what the factory "default" settings are. NHP/CSM recommends that you reset the transmitter settings, making sure that modulation is set to PPM, servo reversing to "normal" on all channels, all "rates" set to 100%, trims centered, all mixing off, linear throttle and pitch curves set at 0% bottom, 50% middle, 100% top and throttle hold activated. This allows the simulator to correctly learn the original settings of your transmitter.
The first screen that appears at the start of the simulator is the "Select Transmitter screen". Here you select the transmitter to be used. The transmitters listed are; JR X-347, JR X-388, JR PCM 10S, JR XF-622 (MAX 66), Futaba Field Force 7 (Super 7), Futaba Challenger 5 Heli, Sanwa Quasar heli, and New. If your transmitter type already appears on the list, you can simply select that transmitter. It will now take you through the "Interface Test" and to the main menu.
If your transmitter type is not on the list, or you use a non-standard configuration, you should select "NEW" from this menu. You will then be taken to the "Calibrate Transmitter" procedure after the "Interface Test" is completed.
After selecting the transmitter, the program will bring you to the main menu where you should select your model from the "Load Helicopter" screen as shown in this article.
By clicking on the selected item, you're brought to a display showing a number of popular models. As an example, if you select say an X-Cell 60, all the parameters such as rotor span, length, weight, etc. will be correctly listed when you go to the "Helicopter Dimensions" screen. To save a new helicopter model after modifying it, highlight "New" from the "Save Helicopter" menu, type the new name of the helicopter and press the enter key. The NHP/CSM Simulator also has a "Quick Save" feature which allows you to quickly save any changes on a selected model.

DIMENSIONS
This menu is used to set-up the main dimensions of the helicopter. It is here where you're free to experiment and become a heli inventor, if you will, by trying different combinations to design your "Dream Helicopter". The options include; Main rotor diameter, with the blades installed on the heli. Main rotor blade chord, Main blade profile drag, Main blade weight, Weight of helicopter, Main shaft to tail shaft distance, Yaw inertia, Tail rotor diameter, Tail rotor blade chord, Main to Tail Gear Ratio, Engine to Main Gear Ratio, Stability factor, and Cyclic response in which the range is from 0 for slow to 10 for fast. You can even change the main rotor direction. As you make changes, the active menu changes color and the values are changed by clicking the up/down arrows. Let's go thru the remainder of the menu options.

SET-UP SCREEN

HIGH & LOW GYRO GAIN
High Gyro gain and Low Gyro gain may be set from 0 to 10, just as you would with your standard gyro adjustments. If you are using a transmitter that does not have switchable gyro gains, the simulator will only use the high gyro gain option.

ROLL & PITCH CYCLIC PADDLE THROWS
These set the maximum rolling and pitching angles of the paddles. Typical figures are from 20 to 30 degrees of deflection.

MID-STICK TAIL PITCH
This is used for setting the tail rotor pitch at mid-stick position.

TAIL PITCH THROW
Used for setting total travel of the tail rotor blades.

COLLECTIVE PITCH LIMITS
This sets the limits to the total amount of collective throw that you have in the model. Collective at 100% servo travel will be the full positive pitch allowed in the helicopter. Collective at 50% servo travel is the pitch at mid-stick. Collective at 0% servo travel will be the full negative pitch possible.

PITCH GAUGE
This feature is simular to actually installing a pitch gauge on the blades. Essentially it is a an electronic pitch gauge. When selecting this feature, the pitch is read directly on the screen. It will also read the pitch and throttle percentage in the idle-ups and throttle hold of your transmitter.

ENGINE DATA
This menu allows you to alter the peak engine power, the engine r.p.m, and the fuel tank capacity.

GYRO AND SERVO SPEEDS
This menu actually allows you to electronically select your servos by changing the response time. The response times of the gyro and servos are in milliseconds. Typical values for the gyro response time would be 50 to 100 milliseconds for a mechanical gyro, and as little as 10 milliseconds for a solid-state gyro. Servo response times are typically about 160 millisecond.

FLYBAR DATA
With all the talk and opinions on flybars these days, the experimenter will be in heaven. This menu allows the user to adjust and set the flybar span, measuring the total diameter of the flybar span from the outside edge of one paddle to the other. The paddle chord and the paddle weight may also be altered.

WIND SPEED & TURBULENCE
The wind comes from the north at the speed set in the "Wind Speed". The turbulence acts in all three directions. Ground effect is a rise in the lift created by the main rotor when in the proximity of the ground. Sun direction and elevation setting shine on the helicopter according to the angles set.

NOSE IN / OUT TAKE OFF
This menu allows the pilot the opportunity to lift off either in the "nose in" or "nose out" position. This is an excellent feature for the beginner to learn nose-in lift offs and landings, where the simulator is most valuable.

CRASH LIMITS
This feature sets the maximum forward, sideslip and vertical speeds allowed by the simulator before it registers the landing as a crash. The higher the speeds allowed, the more forgiving the simulator is. The default settings are 3 feet per second forward, 1.5 feet per second sideslip, and 2 feet per second downward speed.

SIMULATION SET-UP
This menu allows you to alter the graphics speed of the simulator. The system defaults to 18 frames per second. If your computer is a 486 DX2 66 or better with a Local Bus Graphics card and a high frame rate monitor, you should be able to use the super-smooth 36 frames a second option. Any tendency for the helicopter to fly as if in slow motion indicates that you have selected a frame rate beyond the capability of your machine. Some slower machines may need the 9 frames per second option.
The helicopter can be slowed down for learning purposes, either generally or to practice a particular aerobatic maneuver. The cyclic controls have been deliberately kept at full speed so that they respond quickly for getting you out of awkward situations easily.

AUTO ZOOM
Choosing this option toggles the auto zoom on or off. The auto zoom automatically provides a 3 times enlargement of the helicopter when it flys off in the distance. When the helicopter is shown larger than real life, binoculars are shown around it.

SERVO REVERSING
The servo reversing feature may be selected here, rather than from the transmitter.

IN CONCLUSION
The NHP/CSM may not be for everyone due to the fact that it is not supplied with a transmitter. However, since the system is distributed through Horizon Hobby Dists., which is the U.S. distributor for JR Radio, I wouldn't be surprised to see a transmitter offered as an option somewhere down the road. Whatever the call, if a pilot would like to use his own transmitter, the NHP/CSM Simulator is the way to go since it offers the pilot enormous possibilities when using the features of the simulator combined with the sophistication of today's computer transmitters. MIKE MAS