NavBox is good for plotting out plogs. Jepp Flitestar is handy for the vertical profile option and the display of controlled airspace. Flitestar also lets you print out sections of Jepp format charts so you can make a route chart for longer trips.
In the UK the CAA charts in MemoryMap are good as you can rubber band your route to avoid controlled airspace and then download it to the GPS or run with it on a PDA. Just check that you have the latest charts or make allowances for changes in airspace. Flying with the PDA display means that you are on an electronic version of the chart you have on your knee.
I’m just down loading PocketFMS to the PDA, having been out and bought a 1Gb compact flash card. PocketFMS is the cheapest, even if you make the donation and get the upgrade
. You’d probably need broadband to download it to your PC economically.
Just a thought. If you do create a route in one flight planning program and down-load it to your GPS, try the GPS in simulator mode feeding in to a different moving map program (some of the planning programs will work as moving maps). It will show up any nasties before you blunder in to controlled airspace.
Happy Planning & Safe Flying,
Richard W.