On 21 May 1955, eight days before his appearance on "What's My Line", he piloted an F-86 Sabejet as a member of the California Air National Guard. After having breakfast, he flew from Van Nuys to Floyd Bennett Field, New York, had lunch, and returned using fuel stops both ways, setting a record of 5058 miles in 11 hours, 26 minutes, 33 seconds. The flight received extensive news coverage, and Conroy's feat was mentioned by moderator
John Daly at the end of Conroy's appearance.
