"Matthew S. Whiting" wrote in message
...

Does the ATC controller then intiate SAR if the pilot hasn't called in
within 30 minutes or so? I'm real nervous now if you are telling me
that it is up to the last controller to initiate SAR if a flight plan
isn't closed by the pilot. I always assumed some computer somewhere
kept track of open flight plans and automatically kicked something out
if one was still open at some time past the ETA.

Seems nuts to be that something as critical as SAR initiation for an
overdue airplane wouldn't be automated when it is so easy to do so.
These are the things computers do best.


There are formal procedures for overdue aircraft, but they are initiated by
humans, not computers. Usually, if an aircraft fails to cancel, they are
found before those procedures become necessary. A phone call to the FBO
works pretty well, for example.