The Atol was designed by Markku Koivurova and produced by Martekno Ky and later Atol Avion Ltd. The development of Atol began in the 1970s, inspired by the American Osprey II. When the development of Atol was started, a wooden structure was selected.

The first versions of the design used the Ken Rand KR structure. Atol’s predecessors were larger and their structure recalled the traditional structure of a wooden aircraft.

Reinforced plastic basically displaced the wooden structure for manufacturing reasons, and its increasing popularity stopped the development of the wooden structure. They continued development of the wooden structure manufacturing methods and, as a result of this work, talk of a wood composite structure.

Very important safety feature is ATOL’s directed pitch trim change when changing power settings. The propeller flow has been directed to flow to the tailplane from above causing a nose-up moment higher than the nose-down moment caused by the thrust. Because the propeller flow and thrust work together, a decrease in power changes the balance towards the nose-down direction, while the speed remains relatively unchanged.

Competitors have aimed to reduce the change in trim caused by power changes by positioning the wing as close to the propeller shaft as possible. This solution reduces the phenomenon but does not eliminate it totally. Instead, this solution causes a problem with the center of gravity because the propeller and, therefore, the engine must be positioned much farther back. As a result, a balancing weight must be used in the nose or the crew must be positioned closer to the front. This reduces the balancing weight but leads to a situation where the balancing weight must be repositioned every time when one or two people fly the aircraft. There is always a potential fatal risk of forgetting the balancing weight in a wrong place.

ATOL’s wing aspect ratio allows a wide range of center of gravity (CG) and ease of loading without strict loading limitations.

ATOL’s canopy is rear hinged providing easy entry and exit when beaching. The canopy lifts backwards together with the instrument panel. This feature enables the aircraft to be accessed/exited through the front deck. Canopy locking mechanism and emergency release enables quick exit if needed. Optional skis are for snow during winter.

Two seat composite wood ATOL has conventional landing gear. Main gear retracts for flight and water operations. Aircraft has an auxiliary nose wheel assisting in beaching to steep shores. ATOL can also be fitted with ATOL Water Taxiing System (AWTS) to help water maneuveres.

First flight of ATOL amphibious aircraft in Rovaniemi, Finland on Aug 23, 1988, and the first flight on water in Lake Norvajärvi, Rovaniemi on Oct 20, 1988. A 1988 sales tour in southern Finland with the ATOL prototype resulted with five kits sold. In 1989 the prototype was destroyed in a storm in the fall but with the insurance pay off and using prototype’s front fuselage and wings a second prototype was built. The second prototype made its first flight in Norvajärvi on October 12, 1990.

Production was launched by Martekno Finland Ltd in 1990 by building jigs and moulds and familiarizing employees. The second prototype flew off Lake Norvajärvi n Oct 12, 1990. Five kits were delivered during 1991. ATOL classified as a LSA aircraft, which maximum take-off weigh is 650 kg (1430 lbs).

With the establishment of ATOL Avion Ltd in 1991, the building of a new prototype with a longer fuselage was started. Design of the engine cowling and fuselage extension was refined. The nose, canopy and upper fuselage were redesigned for optimal aerodynamics and to reduce twirling in the tail.

Standard Equipment
Wing folding system with manual control lines connection
Dual controls
Dual Brake pedals
7-inch MGL Enigma
4,3-inch MGL XTreme Engine Monitoring System
Cockpit heater and defog
Fresh air nozzle
Emergency canopy release
Canopy locking from the outside
Four point seat belt and shoulder harness
Bilge pump
Bulkheads in the rear fuselage to prevent any bilge water from moving uncontrollably
Electric trim
Mounting for an iPad
Electrical sockets in the instrument panel and upper panel
Stern cleat and mooring posts in auxiliary float supports and tail
Four color paint scheme with decals, factory design. Special design or color subject to separate offer
Cockpit upholstery fabric/artificial leather. Luggage compartment painted.
Water rudder integrated in the tail wheel
Paddle + fasteners
Pilot Operating Handbook, service manuals and repair instructions
ATOL Service Program

In 1993 Atol Avion Ltd acquired Martekno Finland Ltd’s bankruptcy estate.

In 2012 ATOL Avion asked an FAA team to visit its overseas factory for an audit so it can also come to market.

By 2014, five ATOL airplanes have flown. Two prototypes and three production line aircraft. The second ATOL prototype had the same registration number (OH-U165) as the first prototype but was a totally different aircraft. Two kits which were delivered by Martekno and one by ATOL Avion are under construction.

In 2014 the factory was building three aircraft one of these which had already flown was an extended fuselage number three prototype.
Third prototype is ready for full flight testing. Fuselage has been extended by one metre (3 ft 4 in) and nose is more curved than in previous version. Highest point is closer to the nose and spreaded over a longer distance.

Other new features include advanced wing folding mechanism and revolutionary patent pending ATOL Water Taxiing System (AWTS). In addition, numerous pilot friendly modifications has been made.

The first water taxi tests of the new LSA version were commenced in December 2014 on the Kemijoki River, Finland, on the Arctic Circle.

The ultralight version has a lighter decoration and painting, and more limited optional equipment. The LSA version contains an auxiliary wheel in the nose (assisting in beaching when the shoreline is steep). It can also be equipped with an electronic navigation system with which beaching can be performed accurately.

A special introductory price for orders made before May 2015 was EUR 125,000.00 (VAT 0%).

Specifications:

ATOL 495 LSA
Engine: 1 × Rotax 912 iS , 75 kW (100 hp)
Propellers: 3-bladed fixed pitch propeller, 1.72 m (5 ft 8 in) diameter
Length: 7.45 m (24 ft 5 in)
Wingspan: 9 m (29 ft 6 in)
Wing area: 13.5 m2 (145 sq ft)
Empty weight: 375 kg (827 lb)
Max takeoff weight: 650 kg (1,433 lb)
Fuel capacity: 140 liters (37 gal)
Payload: 275 kg (606 lbs)
Tail plane span: 2,40m / 7 ft 11 in
Cruising speed: 170 km/h (106 mph; 92 kn)
Stall speed: 74 km/h (46 mph; 40 kn)
Range: 750 km (466 mi; 405 nmi)
Endurance: 5 hours
Take-off distance from water (50 ft): 450 m (1,476 ft) (LSA)
Crew: one
Capacity: one passenger