ABLE Pilots

Ernie Butler

57 years old from Seattle, WA.  US Air Force Special Operations as a Pararescueman. Sport Skydiver and former member of the U.S. Skydiving Team with over 6000 skydives and 120 hours of Freefall time.

Since becoming Paralyzed (in a skydiving accident at the 1995 World Parachuting Championships in Gap, France some 15 years years ago I have continued to be involved in Sports, such as;  Kayaking, Cycling, Shooting Sports (pistol and shotgun sports), and Hunting. I still enjoy sports and the outdoors and I am really looking forward to getting back in the air under a canopy. It has been way too long.

For the past 6 years I have been the Executive Director of the NW Chapter of Paralyzed Veterans of America and founded Camp ACCESS Foundation, a summer Sports and Recreation camp (now in its 10th year) for  Children with Spinal Cord Injury or disease coached by fellow Paralyzed Veterans.

While receiving care the Tampa VA Medical Center, I was encouraged by staff to look into attending some of VA’s National Rehabilitative Special Events.

In 2009, I attended the National Veterans Wheelchair Games for the first time, as well as the National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic and the National Veterans Summer Sports Clinic. My experiences competing in the world of adaptive sports lit a spark for me.

One of the proudest moments for me was serving as a mentor for “Kids Day” at the 2010 Games in Denver. I have  a little girl of my own, and I love inspiring children with disabilities to get involved with adaptive sports.

Darol Kubacz

Darol lost the use of his legs in the line of duty as a US Army soldier. Paralyzed from the chest down, he chose to take what others consider tragedy and turn it to triumph.

A new opportunity to truly experience and appreciate life after such a radical change was how he began long distance hand cycling, alpine skiing, SCUBA diving, a real-estate management company, and international volunteer ventures.

After nine years of pushing the limits of his ability, he broke his neck while freestyle skiing and spent the following 16 weeks in a halo. Darol considers this second injury a gift: a second chance to adapt and overcome. Thanks to the “down time” he has since climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro and aspires to be an independent cross-country paraglider pilot. Darol’s primary focus is sharing his passion for health and outdoor adventure recreation, with those who may not have the opportunity or support.

Erik Burmeister

I am 37 years old.  I was born on the West Coast but grew up mostly in Texas and Indiana.  I served with the Army National Guard and was trained as a medic.

I really enjoy monoskiing in the winter.  I am certified in scuba diving and really love that, but there is not the kind of diving I enjoy close to where I live.

I have been wanting to learn a sport I could take part in locally during the warmer months.  Paragliding will be a perfect fit.  I have dreamed of paragliding for years, even before I was paralyzed.

Continuing to be active after becoming paralyzed is very important, and I am so grateful for opportunities like this upcoming paragliding event that help me to be able to stretch my limits.