KNOXVILLE, Iowa — You can say veterans Gene Cutler and Art Hessburg like to live life on the edge… of a plane… at 14,000 feet.

Gene made a goal to skydive for the third time in his life at age 98, and his 95-year-old friend, Art, is jumping with him for the second time.

“Gene here had a stroke last year or the year before, and we made a pact that we would jump again if he really worked hard at recovery, which he did,” said Art.

On Saturday, they went to the Des Moines Skydivers in Knoxville to complete this goal, and they were surrounded by their families.

“Last time was two years ago, three years ago, and we were really nervous then. Now we all just figure, what the heck, you’re 95, why not skydive,” said Jean Hessburg, Art’s daughter.

For the second time in their friendship, Gene and Art strapped on their harnesses and boarded a plane that later became just a dot in the sky to their families. But to them, it was the experience of a lifetime.

“You feel like you’re flying,” said Art.

“Every jump, you get a little more appreciative of the country,” said Gene.

The two are proving that age is just a number, and that it’s never too late to take a risk.

“My bucket list was overflowing at one time, and then now it’s almost empty. As they say, my bucket’s got a hole in it,” said Gene.

They celebrated this experience with a shot of Jameson, and then immediately planned their next skydiving trip. Art says Gene convinced him to come back in two years for his 100th birthday, but Gene also has bigger plans.

“I heard the record right now is 107, so I have to wait, and I’ll do it, and Art will be right behind me,” said Gene.

“If he makes it, I’ll go with him,” said Art. Because that’s what friends are for.