How must a VFR flight plan be closed upon landing at a controlled airport?

Closing a VFR flight plan upon landing at a controlled airport typically requires the pilot to contact the nearest Flight Service Station (FSS). This protocol ensures that the flight plan is officially terminated in the flight service system, thus allowing air traffic control to manage air traffic more effectively. By closing the flight plan with the FSS, pilots provide necessary information to air traffic services and eliminate unnecessary search and rescue operations that may occur if a flight plan remains open without communication from the pilot after landing.

While local ATC may have procedures in place for closing flight plans, the proper and standard practice is to go through the nearest FSS. This helps ensure consistency and clarity in handling VFR flight plans. The other options, while they may seem plausible in other contexts, do not represent the correct method for officially closing a flight plan under the guidelines outlined for VFR operations.