PRISM SA01: Landing Gear Clamp

4/8/2021

We have had a reported isolated instance of the removable landing gear on our PRISM drone, which fell off during operation. Upon inspection, it was noted that even though the landing gear locking clamp was in the closed position, the overall clamping tension was not tight enough to properly hold the landing gear in place securely.

The overall locking mechanism tension may be tightened or loosened by rotating the locking handle prior to clamping it in position. We have now noted that if this tension is even 1x rotation to loose, it will not properly secure the landing gear.

Based on these new findings, we are advising all PRISM users to check the overall tension of their landing gear clamps. Please follow these steps to do so.

Proper Landing Gear Locking Tension Adjustment

1. Install the landing gear, and tighten the locking clamp mechanism.

2. Tilt the drone onto the other landing gear, then grab the landing gear which is in the air and try to wiggle / rotate / pull firmly on it, checking if there is any movement in the landing gear when doing this test.

3. If there is movement in the landing gear, then set the drone down, unclamp the locking mechanism, rotate the handle one turn in the CW direction (tighten), then re clamp the mechanism. Repeat step 2 after adjustment.

4. Repeat until there is no movement in the landing gear.

5. Repeat steps on other landing gear.

Note : Clamp tabs should nearly touch when properly tightened

Landing gear clamp is not properly tightened enough in the above photo

This is a one time adjustment. If these steps are followed, and the tension is properly set, then you should not need to check this again, and the landing gear will be securely mounted every time you lock the locking mechanism.

PRISM Landing Gear Safety Lock

In an effort to provide the safest operation possible, we have developed an additional part that can be installed with a single 2.5mm hex driver onto the landing gear legs. These are actively being sent to all PRISM customers as an optional installation to prevent this from happening with future aircraft.

PRISM Landing Gear Safety Locks with Spare O-rings

The purpose of these safety locks are to have an additional means of attaching the landing gear tubes to the tube clamps. This is a simple clamp and O-ring system. The O-ring is placed over the toggle clamp's threaded stud so that the tube cannot fall off even if the tube clamp is not latched.

PRISM Landing Gear Safety Lock Installation procedure:

1. Slide one safety locking ring over the landing gear tube.

2. Loop the O-ring around the locking clamp's threaded stud.

3. Pull the safety locking ring down slightly until the O-ring just barely gets tight.

4. Tighten the safety locking ring using a m2.5 Hex wrench. Be sure not to overtighten and break the clamp.

5. Repeat for second landing gear.

PRISM Safety Lock Installed on a Landing Gear Tube

Landing Gear Safety Lock Installed on Tube.

PRISM Landing Gear Safety Lock Installed. Note the O-Ring Placed Over the Tube Clamp Stud

2X PRISM Landing Gear Safety Locks with Spare O-Rings

Future Changes to PRISM Aircraft Landing Gear Legs

All future PRISM landing gear will have a spring loaded pin/button that will lock the landing gear into place and prevent the landing gear from falling out in the event that the clamp is not tightened. Customers who wish to have these updated parts may contact us to swap out landing gear for the pinned version.

PRISM Landing Gear with Push Button (Coming Soon)

As always, please feel free to email us any time with questions or concerns at [e-mail]