With version 0.9.17 out I feel it's time for this to come up.
So far we can assign way points. However, for mission creation we need something like implementing patrol routes and other similar advanced pre-programmed flying plans .e.g. attack, escort etc. orders. As such it's necessary to have some way to manage (edit) the flight plan. I imaging something similar to how layers are managed in image editor programs, a window showing waypoints and edit options when clicking on it.
Edit: Perhaps it's more advantageous to be able to create route (templates) to which ships can be assigned. I imaging in practice the ships just copy the routes individually (which requires updates when the template's changed). So each ship can still act individually and not going as a bunch at the same time. Only placement will determine their timed movement (aside from below suggestions).
It would be nice to have something like a delay or wait parameter at a waypoint. If there's nothing the ship should just go on to the next waypoint. For patrol routes a loop option is needed to tie a waypoint to loop to another. I think a loop should have more than just two, preferable at least 7 waypoints.
For more advanced options, I wish to have conditional options.
-if a certain ship is destroyed then the ship may go to another waypoint. This way a patrol route loop could be exited giving way to more complex missions.
-or similar but something like a timed condition e.g. after a certain amount of mission time has passed
-or any other condition flags like say an enemy/ally ship destroyed counter reaching a certain number
