Thanks
peterh337 for your comprehensive response.
I'm glad I asked this question. It has sobered me up (in a manner of speaking) about the utility or otherwise of filing VFR Flight Plans in the UK at least.
One last question about your remarks. When you said
there is very little point in filing VFR flight plans unless you desire the rescue angle to be addressed (no pun intended).
what did you mean by
unless you desire the rescue angle to be addressed
?
Are you referring to your earlier remark
from where it gets fished out if you disappear.
?
and nothing beyond that ? In which case, it is only after someone (other than ATC) has noticed/reported that you have gone missing that they will "fish out the Flight Plan" presumably to aid in the search. However, no one in ATC on either end (of the VFR flight plan) will necessarily raise the alarm if you don't show up i.e., as remarked by
dublinpilot. You are largely on your own until someone (other than ATC) raises the alarm, irrespective of the filed VFR plan...ouch.