Atol Amphib Completes First Flight
The Atol amphibian, a light sport airplane built in Finland, completed its first test flight on Thursday, April 9, the company said in a news release. The airplane flew for 26 minutes. The flight comprised a number of different tests, said test pilot and head designer Markku Koivurova, including stalls. “The flight characteristics of the Atol were exactly as expected, and the plane is very easy to fly,” he said. The amphib will be on display later this week at Aero 2015 in Friedrichshafen, Germany.
The Atol amphibian, a light sport airplane built in Finland, completed its first test flight on Thursday, April 9, the company said in a news release. The airplane flew for 26 minutes. The flight comprised a number of different tests, said test pilot and head designer Markku Koivurova, including stalls. "The flight characteristics of the Atol were exactly as expected, and the plane is very easy to fly," he said. The amphib will be on display later this week at Aero 2015 in Friedrichshafen, Germany. "Last year [at Aero], our aircraft attracted a great deal of interest," said Anssi Rekula, the company's sales director. "Now we can show that the aircraft works as promised."
The news conference about Atol's project will be held on Wednesday, opening day of the show. Also scheduled for Aero, which runs through Saturday, are updates on GA products ranging from ultralights and gliders to engines, avionics, helicopters and business jets, as well as a few new product introductions, and a German take on the flying car. The show also will host lots of electric-powered aircraft and an expanded UAV expo with an indoor flying area. About 600 exhibitors are booked for the exhibit halls and static displays at the airport, representing 30 countries. AVweb staff will be at the show all week; watch your inbox or visit www.avweb.com for our reports.
