It was designed during the early 1950s, being exhibited to the public at the 1951 Paris Air Show while the first prototype performed its maiden flight on 14 January 1952.

In addition to two prototypes, five Minijets was constructed between 1955 and 1956; further batches were planned but cancelled due to a protracted downturn in the general aviation sector.

[1] Keen to promote its ground-breaking aircraft, SIPA unveiled the first Minijet prototype to the general public at the 1951 Paris Air Show.

The entire canopy hinged forward to assist access to the small cabin; entry was via large gull-wing doors on either side of the fuselage.

[1] The wings of the Minijet are fitted with double-slotted hydraulically-actuated Fowler flaps, which are extended to 12 degrees for takeoff; they are controlled via a unique H-style selector lever on the console.

[1] The Minijet was stressed to perform aerobatic manoeuvres, possessing a 9-G limit load factor, but it has not been approved for snap rolls; it can be flown inverted for a maximum of 20 seconds.

[1] The final production Minijet F-PDHE has survived into the twenty-first century, being presently owned by the Collection Bezard at Persan-Beaumont Airport NW of Paris and can be seen by prior arrangement only.