BackPacker
I am an ATSA at Manchester. We have a "Parent AFTN" responsibility.
This means.....
"You" Fax or Telephone a "Flightplan", We will transmit the FPL to the "Relevant Addressees"....
IFR The adds is EGZYIFPS aka "Eurocontrol Flight Plans" [simplistic, but near enough]
VFR, we have CAP551 to give the "relevant" adds.
IF you are IFR INTO the UK, you are "Monitored", so no ARR needs be sent. If however, you are VFR into the Uk, then a Phone call to the "Parent Unit" to close the FPL is in order. If you land at a different a/f than planned, then a Diversion Arrival MUST be sent.
When you "Depart", a "Responsible Person" ON THE GROUND may pass your airborne time to the nearest ATSU. Or YOU may contact the nearest ATSU/FIR and pass your ATD for onward transmission
Hope this helps
watp,iktch