Hey guys! I've looked around these forums a lot for different things, and have learened a lot from the experience of those better than me ;) But I decided it was finally time to make an account and get active myself. I have a few different questions, and hopefully you guys can help.
The first is this. I skydived at what I would consider a professional dropzone, where I did my first 21 jumps over the span of about 5 months. Graduated from AFF and was on the way to m A license, when I moved to a new state. Where I live now there is a dropzone only an hour away, and I have done 30 more jumps here. so now here I am, at a combined total of 51 jumps, and I STILL dont have an A license. The dropzone I'm at now keeps putting it off, If i hadnt watched videos on how to pack a parachute I wouldn't even know how to do that. I don't want to mention any names, but I'm assuming this isnt common practice everywhere. So, in January, I'll be moving again to Louisiana, and I'm hoping to find a more professional dropzone there. I know I'm rambling a lot, but this is my question...If i take my logbook of 51 jumps, and jump with those guys in Louisiana a few times, will I have any problem getting my A license or even B license, if my skill level matches up to my number of jumps?
And my second question is this- I'm about to buy my first gear, peice by peice...I'm assuming i should start with a jumpsuit, altimeter, and helmet. But I dont want to buy something I will just be throwing away to upgrade in the near future, so any suggestions on good first gear? Thanks a lot guys!