MB2002
It wouldn't be if it had artificial feeling. Being spring loaded to neutral makes it absolutely non natural, non conventional.
The side-stick has artificial spring feel which returns the SS to neutral.
The spring force increases with increasing displacement.
- how is that different to a conventional yoke fitted with artificial feel and hydraulically operated control surfaces? I am not a test pilot but it sounds very similar to me...
Yes, you have to pay attention when flying in Direct law - but that is true of any aircraft in manual flight. But it is not difficult for a well-trained pilot.