Exploring the Great Barrier Reef
Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the seven natural wonders, spans 2,300 kilometers (1,400 miles) with over 2,900 reefs, 900 islands, and coral cays. For tourists, adventurers, or biologists, the Atol is ideal: take off from Cairns, fly to a Great Adventures reef pontoon or land near Fitzroy Island (~30 km offshore), and dive, take samples, or enjoy the reefs while they last.
Glaciology in Punta Arenas
Patagonia’s glaciers near Punta Arenas are retreating due to climate change, with conditions varying by location and size. The Atol is ideal for research: operate from Presidente Carlos Ibáñez del Campo Airport to, say, Glacier Alley in the Beagle Channel, Tierra del Fuego, to study the Cordillera Darwin Ice Field, landing near glaciers for inspection or sampling.
Vineyard Owner in Stellenbosch
South Africa produces excellent wines, with a key area near Stellenbosch. An amphibious aircraft is ideal for surveying grapes from the air, visiting Cape Town, entertaining guests, flying to coastal destinations, or even commuting to Johannesburg’s O.R. Tambo Airport, Cape Town Airport, or Port Elizabeth Airport.
Atol goes military
Though not designed for combat – lacking armor and armament – the Atol Aurora excels in defense-related missions like observation or ranger/jaeger dispatch. It can land on water to deploy a diver for special ops or rush supplies to forces. With minimal radar response, a quiet engine (compared to helicopters or heavy aircraft), and low-flight capability, it’s perfect for special forces.
Speed Taxi Everywhere
When floating on water, Atol Aurora is officially a boat, so you can move around slowly or near take-off speed without a pilot’s license. An aircraft taxiing is faster than a boat at maximum speed, so if you need to move from A to B on the surface, Atol is perfect. Just one catch: you might want to take off, and then a pilot or license is needed!
Showing Off in Vancouver
Living in Vancouver (or Seattle) with money to spend? After a sports car and motorcycle, an amphibious aircraft could be your next toy! Take off from the Vancouver Coal Harbour Seaplane Base, land at Kenmore Air Harbor Seaplane Base on Lake Union in Seattle, or explore the lake-rich area around both cities.
Possible user cases
Flight School in Florida
Tavares, a 45-minute drive or 20-minute flight northwest of Orlando, is known as “America’s Seaplane City.” With the Atol Aurora, a flight school there can conduct all basic training, from taxiing on runways to emergency water landings. Atol Aurora’s easy and forgiving handling makes it an ideal training aircraft.
Flying Around Sydney
Take off from Rose Bay, a historic seaplane base in Sydney Harbour, and explore Sydney Harbour, the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, Bondi Beach, and the Northern Beaches – or fly to the Blue Mountains or Hunter Valley, all within the Atol’s endurance without refueling.
Environmental Measurements
Satellites collect vast environmental data, but ground – or water – verification is often needed. With the Atol Aurora, researchers can easily gather reference measurements and take samples from land, air, and water.
Private Owner in Stockholm
Stockholm’s surroundings, with 14 islands and abundant water, make the Swedish capital ideal for seaplane operations. With the Atol, you can easily fly to Åland and Finland, exploring the vast archipelago of over 30,000 islands between the two countries. Perfect for day-tripping, fishing, enjoying views, or traveling to a holiday home on an island.
Loch Ness Observing
The Atol is too small for direct firefighting but excels in survey and target-spotting flights. Like Canadairs, it can land on water, making it useful for verifying water collection areas and potentially fighting fires with tanks installed.
Transport in Cannes
If your Atol is based at Cannes-Mandelieu Airport on the French Riviera, you can swiftly fly to Lake Annecy, Geneva, or other land and water destinations in the Alps, northern Italy, or southern France – down to Barcelona, Valencia, or the Balearics in Spain. The Atol seats one passenger and a pilot, perfect for most missions.
LiDAR Mapping in Africa
All Atols can be modified to carry a small or medium LiDAR system like the Velodyne Puck. Its low-speed capability, low cost, and versatile landing options make it perfect for observation and mapping. For example, it could map ecosystems in Central Africa, flying from Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, into equatorial rainforests.
Loch Ness Observing
The Loch Ness Monster may be a legend, but the loch’s beauty in Scotland is undeniable. Take off from Glasgow International Airport or Loch Lomond’s seaplane facility and fly to Loch Ness – or elsewhere in Scotland. The Atol’s 800 km range covers the entire country and its coastline, revealing Scotland’s often-overlooked splendor.
Cottage Commuting
With a house in Helsinki (perhaps near the sea in Marjaniemi) and a holiday home in the Saimaa Lake area, the Atol lets you fly between them year-round. In autumn or spring, when ice is too thin to walk on, an amphibian can land, take off, and dock at your pontoon—optimal for you and one companion.
Earth is 71 % water-covered
Many countries, especially in Europe, limit water flying to a few areas, but we’re working with partners like the European Seaplane Association to update regulations based on older, noisier aircraft.
Approximately 71 percent of Earth’s surface is covered by water. The ability to take off and land on water, combined with conventional landing gear for ground use, offers unmatched flexibility: amphibious aircraft can operate from locations inaccessible to other planes, and sometimes the most practical route to coastal cities is by water instead of a distant inland airport. Helicopters and future eVTOLs can’t match amphibious aircraft in comfort, speed, endurance, or economy.
Remember the additional safety feature: in case of a technical issue, you can also land on water!
We’ve outlined potential use cases below. The Atol Aurora can serve a variety of missions, from day trips in lake-rich areas to unforgettable tourism flights, from Search and Rescue (SAR) support to pilot training, and from LIDAR mapping to environmental monitoring, to name just a few.
Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) pilot training is shorter and less expensive than traditional private pilot training, making amphibious flying accessible to a broader audience. Only your imagination limits the possibilities of the Atol!
Why Choose Atol Aurora?
Versatility
The Atol Aurora’s amphibious design lets you operate on water, snow, or land, opening up endless possibilities for adventure and utility.
Cost-Effective and Accessible
With lower training costs (LSA license at $5,000–$9,000) and efficient operation, the Atol makes aviation accessible to enthusiasts and professionals alike, without sacrificing performance or comfort.
Water Flying Is the Future
Beyond the Atol Aurora, we believe a new golden age of amphibious flying is on the horizon.
A century ago, flying boats and seaplanes were common due to the scarcity of ground airports. Today, while runways are more abundant, they remain absent in many areas—particularly in sparsely populated regions like Scandinavia, Canada, and Alaska.