Before changing a flight plan at a non-towered airport, the pilot must receive what from ATC?

When a pilot intends to change a flight plan at a non-towered airport, it is essential for them to receive flight plan cancellation instructions from Air Traffic Control (ATC). This is critical because the pilot must formally communicate their intentions and ensure that the flight plan is properly closed or canceled in the ATC system. Failing to follow this protocol could lead to miscommunication regarding the aircraft's status, which is vital for safety and efficient air traffic management.

In the context of non-towered operations, there are no controllers on the ground to monitor and manage traffic, so the responsibility falls on the pilot to maintain communication with ATC, especially when altering a flight plan. This includes ensuring that all appropriate maneuvers are authorized and recognized by ATC, thereby preventing potential conflicts with other traffic or unintentional breaches of airspace.

While the other choices have their own importance in aviation, they do not directly pertain to the requirement to cancel or change a flight plan under non-towered conditions. Weather briefings and NOTAMs are more related to situational awareness but are not directly tied to changing a flight plan. Landing clearance pertains to operations at towered airports and does not apply in this context.