Hi Chris. When you select a course on the MCP you’re either telling the system what magnetic runway heading you want for the ILS to work correctly, or you’re asking to follow a particular VOR radial. In either case your course setting and track will be the same (once established on the Localiser or VOR radial) but your heading will vary to allow for drift caused by wind. So if you select the right course, you should be on track, and track is the path across the ground that you want. In LNAV the course setting is not needed as it automatically keeps you on track between waypoints.
I understood the difference, but I did not why ATC uses heading since airplanes can be exposed to different wind conditions. I mean, why heading even exists?! Track is not the obvious choice?
Of course Track is of more benefit if you have that mode on the aircraft, but runways are always on magnetic headings, so they can be approached even with a basic compass (E6B for example). If using an Instrument Landing System (ILS) then staying on the right "track" in the later stages of approach, will be easier, even if there's a crosswind etc.
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