The first step when a flight plan is not closed (overdue) is a
communications search. It's easy.. check the tower on the destination field.
If no tower or tower is closed, check the FBO or local approach control to
see if they remember you.
They may even call the phone number you leave on the flight plan. I give my
last name and "on file with name of FBO".

If that fails, a ramp check, the local police will be dispatched to check
every aircraft on the ramp for your tail number. If it's in a closed hanger
that makes it tougher. Meanwhile a query may be made to the ELT monitoring
agencies for any thing along your route of flight.

Of course, now your N-number is "remembered" by the FSS. It is possible that
if a pattern develops you may be visited by the local FSDO. If a search is
launched that may turn out to be unwarranted, you may receive a bill for it
as a reminder to close the flight plan.

Normally a pilot remembers after the once, you did call in an hour late,
they normally give you 30 min before they called the tower.

BT

"Paul Folbrecht" wrote in message
...
Ok, I did it today, first time ever, after ferrying my newly purchased
152 home. I realized about an hour after landing that I'd forgotten. I
called the FSS and they'd informed me that they'd called the tower who
had confirmed my landing and thus the plan had been closed. I felt like
a complete ass.

How big a deal is this? I'm afraid to ask anybody at my FBO. I'm not
gonna get a letter am I??