My poor knees

[Bart13 0]

One knee I busted into pieces in a motorcycle wreck back in the '70's, the other one I severed my ACL when I flared too high about 3 years ago on my 19th jump. Haven't jumped since, mostly because I started flying and got my pilot's license and all my money's been going there. But I miss jumping ALOT. Now, at age 49, with two "iffy" knees, should I take the chance and get back into it? I don't think I would make the same mistake again, and I can take the pain of an accident, but the weeks of recovery SUCK. Still, I was SO close to getting my A license....... Any suggestions?

[GaryRay 0]

im not a doctor and im not you, but the landings that are capable on those huge student canopies and then some of the bigger more mainstream canopies are as gentle as can be. the possibility is there to land on your ass too

JewBag.
www.jewbag.wordpress.com

[dks13827 3]

yes, just get a big mother canopy !! Big.. Big and Black !! Like your...... ( er,, sorry )

[pirana 0]

I've had 2 surgeries, and one was the good old fashioned open-it-up type to repair/reset a fully deranged joint. The second was to remove some loose bits that were making it stick. Both ACL's have tearing, enough to feel and be wary of but not enough that I'm willing to have more operations.

You've got to decide what you are willing to deal with in terms of discomfort, pain, and future potential surgery. Can you do squats easily? Burpees? Is it just a bit uncomfortable to stand up from a squat, or does it require you use your hands to avoid pain?

It's why I'll probably never jump a canopy faster than my current Stiletto, and am very careful not to flare too high. My default is to flare slightly low and surf/slide (even if on ass) rather than drop significantly and pound the knee and ankle joints.

Consult your local instructors and veterans.

" . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley