Landing Gear

This page will guide you through the process of drilling and installing your landing gear

Landing Gear Drilling and Mounting

Your AVR kit ships with 4 x 9" aluminum rods that are used for landing gear. As you get further into the advanced part of the build you can shorten these rods with a metal hacksaw. Customization is largely dependent on what accessories you have mounted to your drone.

3D printed parts and aluminum rods for landing gear

3D printed parts and aluminum rods for landing gear

Attaching the aluminmum rods to the landing gear mounts will require drilling holes in each rod. We will walk through this process in detail to ensure success and minimize frustration. You will need a drill, 1/16" bit, 1/8" bit, screw (or nail), and a Sharpie.

Tools necessary for drilling aluminum rod

Tools necessary for drilling aluminum rod

The first thing you will need to do is place an aluminum rod into the landing gear mount as shown below. In most cases this will be a tight fit so we recommend using a bit of force and rotating the rod clockwise and counterclockwise. This will cause some of the plastic from inside the mount to wear away.

Placing the aluminum rod into the mount

Placing the aluminum rod into the mount

In the photo below you can see some of the plastic shaved off inside the mount.

Repeat this process until the rod is flush with the bottom of the mount.

Landing gear mount with rod inserted

Landing gear mount with rod inserted

Use a Sharpie to mark a hole on one side of the rod. Do not mark both sides. There is little margin for error so we will drill one side and repeat this process for the other.

Marking a hole for drilling

Marking a hole for drilling

It can be challenging to accurately drill a hole in the aluminum rod. Clamp the rod to a piece of wood and then place a screw or nail in the center of the Sharpie mark. Tap the screw several times with a hammer to create an indentation in the metal.

Tapping the screw into the rod

Tapping the screw into the rod

Use the 1/16" bit to drill a starter hole. The indentation you created will keep the bit from slipping around. This drill bit is very fragile so don’t use too much force.

Drilling 1/16" hole in rod

Drilling 1/16" hole in rod

Now use the 1/8" drill bit to enlarge the hole. This will be the final size necessary for our M3 22mm screws.

Drilling 1/8" hole in rod

Drilling 1/8" hole in rod

Place the rod back into the mount make sure it’s all the way in. Slide a 22mm screw through the mount and into the hole you just drilled. Make sure everything fits well and then mark the other side with your Sharpie.

Marking other side of rod for drilling

Marking other side of rod for drilling

Repeat the tapping and driling process for the other side of the rod. Once that’s complete place the rod back into the mount, slide the 22mm screw all the way through, and secure the rod with a lock nut.

Screwing landing gear into the mount

Screwing landing gear into the mount

Once all four rods are mounted we will proceed to attaching the landing gear braces which provide extra support.

Landing gear securely mounted

Landing gear securely mounted

Landing Gear Brace Mounting

The landing brace provides additional support by securing the rod to the bottom accessory plate. Use two 8mm screws and lock nuts as shown in the photos below. Repeat this process for all four legs.

8mm screws through landing brace and accessory plate

8mm screws through landing brace and accessory plate

Lock nuts securing landing brace

Lock nuts securing landing brace

Landing brace installation complete

Landing brace installation complete

Landing Gear Foot Mounting

There’s a good chance that the feet of the landing gear will require press fitting onto the rod. You can use a 3/8" drill bit to shave some of the plastic from the foot.

If the foot is loose feel free to use a drop of hot glue to hold it in place.

Applying hot glue to landing gear foot

Applying hot glue to landing gear foot

Repeat the process for all four feet.

Landing gear feet installed

Landing gear feet installed


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Last modified August 22, 2022: Need to remember to format:check (ef05c49)