Sometime, when I plan a flight, I consider for some legs, multiple choices. I.e. imagine my route is from A to F.
On option is A - B - F, another is A - C - D - F. The effective choice may depend, once in flight, by weather condition, ATC clearance and more. It would be nice if, in planning mode, I could enter, in the some route, both options and, in navigation mode, through a switch, I could activate one branch or the other. Today, without this function, I prepare two routes: A - B -F and A - C - D - F. If I decide to switch to route A - C- D - F, I have to click the Skydemon menu, click on Route, then select the new route.

Massimo Mangia

I-PPL

I agree. One of my regular trips is Redhill-Duxford. I always ask for the Stansted Transit, and I usually get it, but when they can't fit me in, I'm suddenly scrabbling for the LAM-BPK-BKY OCAS route. A one click change would be much appreciated.

In some conditions it may be difficult to select a route from the list. It would be easier to have a branch command in the waypoint menu. It's only a function in addition to existing ones. 

Massimo Mangia

I-PPL

For me personally the benefit is outweighed by the introduced complexity.

-- Chris.

I think that this function could be activated, like Track radial in forthcoming 3.5 version, through an option in Planning and Navigation Options menu.
I find this solution quick and smart; if you don't want more functions you can not select them in the Option menu. In this way it's possibile to continue to improve SD letting users to define the functions they wish. 

Massimo Mangia

I-PPL

We have considered this many times, and we always decide that the small benefit introduced (not having to go to Route -> Open -> Select) is massively outweighed by the various user interface bits and pieces we would have to introduce to make such a feature possible, and to make it discoverable enough to benefit lots of users.

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
_________________________________________

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.

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

M

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