In New Zealand the cost of filing GA flight plans is so expensive that most pilots don't even consider filing one in the first place unless the club or flying school insists. However we do have a SARwatch as an alternative to a full flight plan, and the cost of that is much cheaper. The Sarwatch is simply a route and ETA.
The last time I filed a flight plan was in 2007, but I do ensure that someone knows where I am flying and my ETA so they can notify SAR if I fail to arrive. I tend to cancel any SARwatch when I am on descent for my destination.
Last edited by Ka6crpe; 23rd Aug 2013 at 10:51.