FlightSafety International today announced the Proficiency Protection Program, which is intended to help maintain the currency of business aircraft pilots and maintenance technicians who have been laid off since January 1. Under the program, FlightSafety will offer a no-cost recurrent training course to pilots of business aircraft who were training under a full-service contract at the time of their job loss. The training will be provided in an aircraft type the pilot trained on under that agreement. Maintenance technicians who were enrolled in FlightSafety’s Master Technician program at the time they were laid off can receive the next course toward their Master Technician rating at no cost. This program will remain in effect until Dec. 31, 2009, according to the company. FlightSafety will schedule the training on an as-available basis and it must be started while the pilot or technician is unemployed. For pilots or mechanics to be eligible, the loss of employment must be a result of a staff reduction or job elimination that has occurred since January 1. Pilots and technicians who take advantage of this program are not required to repay the cost of the course or to enter into a new training agreement with FlightSafety once re-employed, the company said. Complete program details can be found on FlightSafety’s Web site.