Failures of De la Cierva's attempts to compensate for dissymmetry of lift with the C.1, C.2, and C.3 autogiros, led him to consider alternative means of enabling an autogyro to fly without rolling over.

Finally, in January 1923, the aircraft flew at Getafe, under the control of Alejandro Gomez Spencer, making a flight of some 180 metres (600 ft).

On 20 January 1923, the engine failed in flight, and vindicated de la Cierva's original interest in autogyros – that of air safety – when the machine safely autorotated to the ground.

Two days later, de la Cierva demonstrated the aircraft to military and aero club observers, including General Francisco Echagüe Santoyo, director of the army's air service, and Don Ricardo Ikuiz Ferry, president of the Royal Aero Club Commission.

This led to a military demonstration at Cuatro Vientos on 31 January 1923, where the C.4 made a circular flight of 4 km (2+1⁄2 miles) in 3+1⁄2 minutes, at an altitude of over 25 m (80 ft).