If your flight plan is not properly closed 30 minutes past your ETA, what will happen?

If a flight plan is not properly closed 30 minutes past your estimated time of arrival (ETA), the correct outcome is that the Flight Service Station (FSS) will initiate search and rescue efforts. This protocol is in place because an unclosed flight plan after such a significant delay raises concerns about the safety of the aircraft and its occupants.

The purpose of a flight plan is not only to inform authorities of your intended route but also to aid in search and rescue operations if there is an emergency. When a pilot fails to close the flight plan, it signals to the FSS that something may be amiss, especially if the ETA has passed without any notification from the flight crew.

This procedure is driven by safety protocols that prioritize the timely and effective response to potential emergencies. The initiation of search and rescue efforts ensures that resources are deployed quickly to locate the flight, should there be any indication of trouble.

Other potential outcomes, such as merely ignoring the situation or filing a report, do not address the urgent need for safety measures that are inherent in aviation protocols. Thus, beginning search and rescue efforts is the appropriate and necessary response in this scenario.