The SPAD A.1 prototype was the first aircraft produced by SPAD following its reorganization from the pre-war Deperdussin company. The chief designer, Louis Béchereau had been involved in designing that firm's successful monocoque racing monoplanes, and many design details were carried over from the Deperdussins. In addition to its pilot, the aircraft was designed to carry an observer in a streamlined nacelle ahead of the propeller. This configuration attempted to combine the advantages of the tractor and the pusher types, giving the observer had a clear field of view to the front and sides without the drag penalty of the typical pusher. However, this made communication between the pilot and the observer nearly impossible, the pulpit (as it was known in English) or basket (as it was known in Russian) vibrated badly and in multiple cases, parted company from the rest of the aircraft while in flight. Like many pushers, it also put the observer at risk of being crushed in even a relatively mild crash or "nose-over". A British evaluation of the type suggested "it would be expensive in observers if flown by indifferent pilots". It's was mostly a fail because the observer/gunner would definitely die in the event of a nose first crash landing, getting slices to bits by the prop, and crushed by the engine.

In can't take off...or land...but it flies well