Flight Plans for GA, and do most pilots know how to use them?
I think most people can fill out a flight plan. You tend to learn by trial and error though rather than being taught. On the day of your first channel hop (no doubt to Le Touquet), fill out the flight plan using a guide, give it to the club/FBO, most places will tend to check it over before faxing it off. If it works, do it the same way the next time, if not do something different.
The problem seems to be with the details and the questions which don't come up every flight. I am perfectly happy to admit that I don't know the official answers to things like
a) where does a VFR plan get sent to? (some places, the enroute people seem to get it, others not)
b) how long before and after the EOBT can you depart? (1 hour after seems to be OK for VFR, is that right?)
c) how do you delay and adjust plans once filed (get the FBO to do it)
d) is an hour's notice really necessary for a VFR plan or will you get away with shorter notice (seems to vary country to country and place to place)
e) do you need to close a plan (no in UK, yes elsewhere (either by the Tower or direct to AIS)) - and why is UK different?
f) do you need to close a plan terminating in UK if you put somewhere on the continent as alternate?
Anyone?