Twelve Avro Rota Is, license built Cierva C30A autogiros, were delivered to the RAF from August 1934.

The first aircraft served with the Directorate of Technical Development and subsequently joined the School of Army Co-operation at RAF Old Sarum.

During World War 2 the Rotas were flown by No. 1448 Flight and No. 529 Squadron at Duxford and Halton repectively.