The Skytwister light helicopter was designed in the United States by Neville Walker, a mechanical engineer, and Ronald Northwood, an electrical engineer, as an easy-to build light single-seat general purpose helicopter fitted with a Rotax engine and since then it has become available to amateur builders.

American Sportscopter Inc of Newport News, Virginia, developed a series of light helicopters for homebuilt construction, being supplied in kit form.

The A-119 Koala made its public debut at the Paris Air show in June 1995, the prototype (I-KOAL) having flown earlier that year. The second prototype flew later that year and deliveries commenced in February 1996 to Omniflight Helicopters.