Menu -> Route -> Open

Would it be possible to access an alternative route whilst in flight mode?

You really think SkyDemon's menu structure is complex?

Switching between routes is a matter of seconds (4 clicks at most), by using existing capabilities. What makes me afraid now, is to see SD loosing its usability by adding too much "alternative ways of doing the same thing".

In my opinion, we've already reached a new level of complexity with 3.5 and I wonder how the team will address this challenge with the futur versions. I've summarized the menus structure to help some friends (basically, I've translated them), and "complex" is now getting a very common adjective.

M

...or maybe people just like doing the planning properly, with a range of likely contingency routes, with all the NOTAMs checked, rather than blithely launching with a Plan A worked out in detail but no Plan B, C or D, trusting to luck that they don't stumble into a RA(T) when they have to go around the other side of London due to weather arriving earlier than forecast...

Yes, SkyDemon can plan routes B, C and D as well - but if it's route you fly regularly, having all the options pre-loaded in a single operation before flight, and being able to switch between them quickly once airborne, would be both nicer and less error prone. Tim and his team will decide when (or if) such a feature gets added - guided in part by the number of people requesting it, and in part by the need to make the feature easy to use for those who want it, and easy to ignore for those who don't see the benefit. Thus far they seem to have done a pretty darned good job.

That's when the ability to 'rubber band' the route in flight comes in handy.

That's a distinct possibility. For my part, having planned my route in SD, I then draw a line or lines on a chart, annotated with magnetic heading(s), distance(s), time marks and an approximate wind vector. The chart is then my primary navigation tool which I cross check from time to time with SD. So if my tablet/phone quits for any reason, I know exactly where I am on the chart and can continue with Mk1 Eyeball navigation. I also make use of all radio navaids available en route, but I appreciate that may not be an option for some.

Mike
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Before GPS and tablet we were flying with maps and compass, but the technology goes on and we use SD that is very useful.
The discussion is: how we can improve this excellent software?
To reply to Tim's considerations about my proposal, I have some suggestions that, in my opinion, could be implemented with few effort and without complicate the user interface.
I know I can select, when flying, a new route. However my route list is very long and select a route it's not so quick and easy.
Why do not add a new feature in navigation menu that opens a filtered route list according to current gps position (i.e. range 20 nm)?
In this way, without altering SD functions, I could switch to a new route in very easy and quick way.
Please Tim, consider this suggestion.



Massimo Mangia

I-PPL

What if the control asks for a route you haven't planned? Perhaps some people are relying too much on SD ...

M

In reality that is what I do, but it is a special case because I'm going direct to a waypoint on my route. If I had to add new way points which weren't part of my original route, that trick wouldn't work.

To be fair to Tim and the SkyDemon team, the recent addition of the ability to rubber band in flight mode has also helped, but I can still see some advantages of having multiple alternative route pre-planned.

Why not plan for the LAM-BPK-BKY OCAS route anyway and then if you get your Stansted transit clearance, carry out a 'Direct To' for Duxford. Wouldn't that be simpler than scrambling for the OCAS route at the last minute, or am I missing something?

Mike
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