Based on the IAR-821, it was a conventional low-wing monoplane with fixed, tailwheel undercarriage and differed from its predecessor mainly in the choice of a horizontally opposed engine in place of a radial.

The design was completed under the leadership of Radu Manicatide in 1970, at IMFCA Bucharest (Institutul de Mecanica Fluidelor si Cercetari Aerospatiale - Institute of Fluid Mechanics and Aerospace Research).

The chemical tank was replaced by the student pilot's seat, the instructor being in the rear (original) cockpit.

At least five IAR-822 Bs were used by the Romanian Air Force for a brief period in 1974-75, probably to complement the tired IAR-813 in the primary training role until the IAR-823 entered service in sufficient numbers.

The sole survivor is serial number 05, which can be seen (without tail unit and outer wings) at the Muzeul Aviatiei, Bucharest.