I often plan a long route outside controlled airspace but have in mind short cuts through controlled airspace if granted. An example would be Southend to Nuthamptead. The long route is DCT LAM DCT BPK DCT. The short route goes direct via the Stansted overhead, if Essex radar let me.

What I would like to be able to do is to put both routes in my plan (and on my plog), so that I'm prepared for either. This is similar to the way alternate destinations are handled, a leg in the route that you might or might not fly, but obviously in the middle of a route instead of just at the end.

I would also prefer to have the ability to plan the route to the alternate. As it is now, it is just a straight line to the alternate but that may cross controlled airspace. It would be better if it were possible to put additional weigh points in the route to the alternate.

Ray

I've been thinking about this recently. Planning a flight to Caernarfon I ended up with three routes planned to handle various weather conditions (one straight over the mountains, one to the South over high ish ground, and one to the North over lower ground).

Agree absolutely. I'm a software engineer myself so know how difficult it is to keep a balance between adding bells and whistles and not making the software overly complex for the user. Tricky one.