The aircraft had straight untapered wings, fixed tailwheel landing gear, and was typically powered by a Siemens-Halske Sh 14 radial engine.

The rate of orders was such that not only did Focke-Wulf establish a second factory but multiple licences were issued to other companies, leading to the Fw 44 being produced in several other countries.

On several occasions, the type saw key military use; the Republic of China Air Force had their aircraft adapted for frontline combat during the Second Sino-Japanese War.

[4] In 1931, the company benefitted from two key events, the merger of rival aircraft manufacturer Albatros Flugzeugwerke with Focke-Wulf and the arrival of the capable aeronautical engineer Kurt Tank as the leader of the firm's design department.

[6] Following extensive modifications and testing, it was determined that the redesigned aircraft not only possessed favourable flight characteristics but was also capable of withstanding considerable stresses; these qualities proved to be quite beneficial for conducting aerobatic manoeuvres.

Several noted pilots opted to perform aerial displays using the type, such as Gerd Achgelis, Enrst Edet, and Emil Kopf, the latter's aircraft bore the registration D-EMIL.

[6] Customers were not only confined to the German market; numerous nations in South America, Europe, and Asia would purchase the type, some opting to establish local production of the Fw 44 in order to meet their needs.

[6] The Fw 44B was the second production version of the aircraft; it was powered by an Argus As 8 four-cylinder inverted inline air-cooled engine, capable of producing up to 90 kW (120 hp).

Twenty Fw 44s were operated by the Republic of China Air Force; these were modified for combat missions and participated in the early stage of the Second Sino-Japanese War, all are believed to have been lost in action.

In 1944, the Instituto Aerotécnico received the request to experiment with the construction of the Fw 44J, but using purely national woods instead of importing them, following the pattern initiated by the development of the I.Ae.