Alexandr Alekseyevich Lazerev, who led the Kharkiv KhAI-3 Avianvito design team, was already familiar with the problems posed by tailless aircraft.

[1] The much larger KhAI-3 was intended to show that low-powered aircraft could carry a useful eleven-passenger load with an engine of just over 100 hp (75 kW).

Near each tip, at midchord and parallel to the leading edge there was a rectangular air brake which were operated differentially by pedals which also controlled the rudder to assist in making turns.

Inboard of the air brakes, each outer panel trailing edge carried two broad-chord control surfaces that acted as both ailerons and elevators.

Its forward-mounted engine and propeller allowed a short tailwheel to provide a ground angle of attack of 15°, avoiding one of the problems encountered with the KhAI-4.