The prototype was constructed at Miles' Woodley factory in Berkshire. On 26 January 1945, this prototype conducted the type's maiden flight, piloted by Tommy Rose. The performance of the prototype was immediately positive, proving to be both comfortable and relatively easy to fly. It proved to have an atypically high payload capacity for an aircraft of such power, being capable of lifting payloads in excess of its own weight when operated in a bare configuration. The results of the initial trials were submitted to the Air Ministry as the company prepared to put the Aerovan into immediate production to support the war effort. However, Miles' work was not met with approval, the company being censured for building the aircraft without authorisation and work on the project was suspended on the ministry's orders.