The undercarriage was fixed, and the tail was fitted with a skid rather than a wheel. The He 46 prototype first flew in late 1931; its flight characteristics were good, but design improvements were incorporated. The small lower wing was removed, while the mainplane was increased in area by 22% and braced to the fuselage, transforming the He 46 into a parasol-wing monoplane.
The undercarriage was repaired, and the tail was equipped with a skid instead of a wheel. The He 46 prototype took to the skies in late 1931; its flight performance was satisfactory, but design enhancements were implemented. The small lower wing was eliminated, while the mainplane's surface area increased by 22% and was attached to the fuselage, reconfiguring the He 46 into a parasol-wing monoplane.