“With regard to the electronic force feel connection between the sticks and the SA trim follow-up system, and in fact the whole longitudinal static stability discussion, apparently the FAA brought Airbus in, whose basic control system in this area is similar to the 92 system, they looked at it , told the FAA no problem, and that was the end of that discussion*.”
After the Air France 447 accident in 2009 the FAA was no longer convinced that the Airbus passive stick system was a viable solution. Especially in a helicopter requiring close coordination between pilots to avoid ground obstacles. I was told this directly by a FAA engineer from the SW office. For a time line FF of the Cyclone was in late 2008.