First flying in April 1938, the Ar 79 promptly set multiple world speed records in their class that same year and was praised by high-ranking Nazi officials.

[2] It is likely that the decision to proceed was strengthened by the position advocated by Hermann Göring, Chief of the Luftwaffe High Command, that Germans should be a nation of fliers; a favourable economic situation in Germany at that time would have also encouraged such undertakings.

[2] To promote the aircraft to civil customers, Arado committed to an extensive advertising campaign as a faster alternative to road and railway travel.

[5] Furthermore, while the Ar 79 was principally aimed at the civilian market, the aircraft's development was warmly received and promoted by the Reich Air Ministry, and its potential use for military applications was not ruled out.

[2] Through the use of split flaps, it could be flown at unusually slow speeds while, when correctly trimmed, stable hands-off flying could also be readily achieved.

[2] Partially due to its light weight construction, the Ar 79 was a fuel-efficient aircraft that was capable of flying in excess of 1000 km without refuelling.

A manually-cranked retractable landing gear arrangement is used; its relatively wide track, hydraulically actuated brakes, and freely traversing tailwheel provide favourable taxiing tendencies.