When is it appropriate to remove flight progress strips?

The appropriate time to remove flight progress strips is when they are no longer required for control purposes. Flight progress strips serve as an important tool for air traffic controllers to maintain situational awareness and manage traffic effectively. Once the information on the strip is no longer relevant to ongoing operations—such as when an aircraft has landed, crossed the destination airport, or if its flight has been cancelled—the strips can be removed. This helps maintain an organized and efficient workspace, reducing clutter and allowing controllers to focus on current and active flights.

In contrast, keeping strips that are not needed can create confusion and may lead to mistakes. For instance, removing strips merely based on pilot requests or at the end of the flight without considering their relevance for control can disrupt operational standards. Similarly, removing strips while transferring control to another facility does not account for whether the information is still pertinent. Effective management of flight progress strips is critical for ensuring safety and efficiency in air traffic control.