Douglas Froning

Douglas "Doug" Froning is an FAA Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE) based in Honolulu, Hawaii, operating under the Honolulu FSDO WP-13. Froning's examining authority is limited to rotorcraft, specifically serving as a Private Pilot Examiner (Rotorcraft / Helicopter), and he does not conduct airplane checkrides. Before his current leadership roles, Froning flew helicopter medevac missions for seven years with Evergreen Aviation. In March 2015, he was hired as a pilot for Magnum Helicopters in Honolulu. He was promoted to Chief Helicopter Pilot in 2016 and then to General Manager in December 2018, where he oversees pilot training, maintenance scheduling, and all helicopter tour and charter operations. Froning's aviation work extends into film and television stunt piloting in Hawaii. He has provided stunt flying and aerial filming support for CBS series Magnum P.I. (where he flew as a stunt double for actress Perdita Weeks) and Hawaii Five-0. He also provided aerial filming support for Godzilla vs. Kong (2021) and is credited under "Utility Stunts" for the live-action film Lilo & Stitch (2025). Additionally, Froning helped adapt U.S. Navy procedures to create FAA-approved protocols for the PADI Helicopter Diver Distinctive Specialty program. Representing the Hawaii Helicopter Association and Magnum Helicopters, he testified before the Hawaii State Legislature in February 2020 against Senate Bill SB-2649, advocating for federal FAA jurisdiction over state-level aviation mandates, and has worked with local Honolulu community groups on voluntary noise abatement routing.