Welcome Frjeff , reading your post brought to my mind that most clubs I know of will have brand new members get instruction from the club's designated instructor . Since you say you are brand new to this , and will be joining a local club , your best bet is to not spend one dime on anything till you talk to the club officers about joining and the club instructor especially , to get his (or her) input on what trainer they most prefer to teach new flyers with .