Maj. Frank P. Conway joined the Marines in 1993 and was designated a naval aviator in 1995. From 2001 to 2005, he served as a developmental test pilot on the V-22 Osprey aircraft. Conway led a team of 60 engineers, maintainers and flight crews in high-risk developmental testing of the V-22’s icing protection system. He later served as operations officer with the Marine Medium Tiltrotor Test and Evaluation Sqaudron 22, overseeing operational and integrated testing on the V-22 aircraft. He provided data and analysis to authorize the aircraft for war deployment, including combat duty in Iraq.
With over 4,800 total flight hours, including 800+ experimental flight test hours, Frank Conway is a highly accomplished experimental test pilot specializing in advanced flight control development, structural loads demonstration, and civil certification. He has led the development and testing of seven fly-by-wire and advanced concept demonstrators, while also supporting two NASA experimental programs.
His expertise spans flight test safety, hazard analysis, and natural icing trials, with extensive experience conducting first flights on prototype aircraft. Having flown over 90 different aircraft types—including the V-22, AW-609, Global Express, and SB>1 Defiant—he brings a deep understanding of both fixed-wing and rotary-wing flight dynamics.
A certified Airline Transport Pilot with multiple type ratings, Frank holds qualifications as a flight instructor (CFI/CFII) across fixed-wing, rotary-wing, and powered-lift aircraft. His military experience includes roles as a Night Systems Instructor, V-22 Aerial Refueling Instructor, and V-22 Aerial Demonstration Pilot, with over 3,600 hours in fly-by-wire powered-lift and rotary-wing aircraft.
With a proven track record in experimental aircraft capabilities demonstration and certification, Frank Conway continues to push the boundaries of aviation innovation and safety.
Conway lives in Sneads Ferry, N.C.