Hi, do anyone know what is the ATC function(button) on the 744 FMC for?thxben

Ben,the ATC page is for Datalink communication with ATC via the FANS (Future Air Navigation System). FANS basically means the effort to eliminate the awful HF communication on oceanic flights. For example with the FANS' CPDLC (Controller-Pilot Datalink Communication) you can communicate via datalink instead of HF. That means for example you'll get your clearance for the north atlantic track by datalink and not via HF. Also different requests can be sent by that system and are put in via the CDU's ATC page. Another nice feature of FANS is the ability to transmit automated position reports, this greatly reduces misunderstandings you could get with HF.Here's one picture I've got from one of those ATC pages, it's Airbus but you'll get the idea:http://www.airliners.ch/temp/kmia_cyhz/23.jpgAnd here's one of those messages you'll get from ATC:http://www.airliners.ch/temp/kmia_cyhz/35.jpgOf course in emergency situations you'd maybe still want to use the HF voice communication to speed things up.But unless Microsoft comes up with a more complex ATC function within MSFS this whole FANS can not really be simulated...Regards,Markus

Thanks for the good info and nice pics!

thanks you very much ar...I love to learn new stuffs which cannot be "played" or "used" on FS2004thanksben