In order to comply with CAR 602.77, an arrival report for a flight plan must be submitted to an ATC unit, an FSS (or a FIC) or a CARS as soon as practicable after landing but not later than:
- The SAR time specified in the flight plan; or
- Where no SAR time is specified in the flight plan, one hour after the last reported ETA.
A pilot who terminates a flight itinerary shall ensure that an arrival report is filed with an ATC unit, an FSS (or a FIC), a CARS or, where the flight itinerary was filed with a responsible person, the responsible person as soon as practicable after landing but not later than:
- The SAR time specified in the flight itinerary; or
- Where no SAR time was specified in the flight itinerary, 24 hours after the last reported ETA.
A pilot who terminates an IFR flight at an aerodrome where there is an operating ATC unit, FSS or where RAAS is provided, is not required to file an arrival report unless requested to do so by the appropriate ATC unit or FSS.
When submitting an arrival report, the pilot should clearly indicate that he/she was operating on a flight plan or flight itinerary and wishes it to be closed. Failure to close a flight plan or flight itinerary will initiate SAR action. It should not be assumed that ATS personnel will automatically file arrival reports for VFR flights at locations served by control towers and FSSs or an RCO.
