The FBA Company was requested to design a successor to the Model 17 in the liaison and training role.

The Model 290 was a biplane amphibian with a single radial engine driving a pusher propeller.

The Model 290 flew for the first time in April 1931 powered by a 300 hp (224 kW) Lorraine engine.

The navy aircraft were used as executive transports and based at the major French naval air stations.

Data from The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982–1985), 1985, Orbis Publishing, Page 1633General characteristics Performance