Who is responsible for closing flight plans at a non-towered civilian field?

In the context of non-towered civilian fields, the responsibility for closing flight plans falls to the pilot. When a pilot files a flight plan, they are required to ensure that the plan is closed upon completion of the flight. This is essential for safety and accurate tracking of aircraft. Closing a flight plan informs Air Traffic Services and other relevant authorities that the flight has finished, which helps prevent unnecessary search and rescue operations in the event that a flight does not arrive as expected.

The role of the flight service station, while important for providing services such as filing and opening flight plans, does not extend to the closure of those plans unless specifically tasked by the pilot. The airfield management team typically oversees operations and facilitation at the airport but does not manage flight plan closures. Therefore, the pilot holds the ultimate accountability for this action, ensuring their responsibilities are met.