How is flight locating accomplished?

• A. The flight is tracked by ATC via radar after departure.
• B. The PIC files and remains on an active IFR flight plan until after landing.
• C. The crew uses position reporting via log entries.
• D. The dispatcher monitors the flight using GPS tracking.

Answer: (B)

Flight locating relies on the formal flight plan that is filed before departure and kept active until the aircraft lands. The PIC must file an IFR flight plan (or maintain an appropriate flight plan) and leave it open through the flight, so there is a published record of the route, altitude, and estimated times of arrival. This provides a trackable reference that ATC and the operator can use to locate the aircraft if it goes off course or becomes overdue. While ATC radar and flight-following services exist, the mechanism that guarantees a traceable location for a Part 135 flight is the active IFR flight plan maintained until after landing. The other methods—crews logging position reports or dispatchers using GPS tracking—do not establish the official locating record in the same way.