The wing covering was fabric, and both upper and lower planes carried ailerons, which were strut linked.

The main undercarriage was fitted with hydraulic shock absorbers, unusual at the time on a light aircraft.

It was widely used for the popularisation of aeronautics through barnstorming and joyrides, and was also much used as a trainer and by small operators for charter flights.

In the 1990s the unrelated The WACO Aircraft Company in Forks, Washington offered a homebuilt kit version of the ATO model.

[1] The WACO 240-A was a straight-wing fighter, built for export, powered by 240 hp (180 kW) Wright engine.