I admit I have rarely filed a VFR flight plan this century. I have plenty of excuses --- my family and friends know my route and ETA, I'm either on VFR flight following or have the appropriate Center tuned in, I have my mobile phone, I update appropriate parties on revised plans, etc. I also find it bothersome to activate and close flight plans since I have no VOR to receive FSS and I pretty much can't reach them until I'm at 5K or so.
Several 'new to me' things I learned will change my habits:
- You may open and close a flight plan filed with LMFS via email.
- Foreflight allows you to open/close/cancel flight plans via the app itself, provided you use the ICAO flight plan template.
- Starting this fall, you can add your ADS-B out information and your position will be automatically attached to your VFR flight plan in real-time. Obviously useful data for SAR situation. You may also be able to share this data at some point in the future -- wasn't clear on timing.