wrote:



I've got a VFR friend who always files (but doesn't open) an IFR flight plan for longer cross-countries. That way, the
flight is in the system for the whole route, so it's (at least alegedly) easier for the controller to find. Not sure how much
truth there is to that, but it does make some sense.

Doesn't do a damn thing. When an aircraft takes off VFR with an IFR on
file the ground controller throws away the IFR strip. He was the only
guy with that strip. No facility would ever generate that strip unless
he actually takes off IFR or he calls to activate the IFR flight plan,
then every succeeding facility would generate one. Two hours after the
P time an unopened IFR flight plan is automatically erased from the system.