Construction of the initial aircraft was started on February 1, 1924 and finished September 6, 1924, with A.I.Zhukov as the test pilot on the maiden flight on 4 November, 1924.

After improvements to load-bearing surfaces, steering, and other control systems, Zhukov noted that at low throttle it suffered from random nose lift and had a tendency to dive when accelerating.

[2][3][4] Pilots M. M. Gromov and V. N. Filippov flew the I-2 on 19 November, 1924 and did not note these same tendencies to nose lift or dive.

The central and front fuselage now incorporated welded steel frame for strength, as well as an improved 420 hp engine.

[5][6] Pilots of the I-2bis noted several issues, including landing gear failures, clogged radiators, tight controls, and a tendency for the nose to lift on accelerating.

In 1929 a report stated that the bis had heavy and inert controls, a steady dive, and significant slippage when landing.