Salute!
Good thots, FDR and Murphy is correct, I like the generic FBW laws and 'bus implementaion for the most part.
Without control surface feedback, you can satisfy the FAR requirements for column force versus AoA because the control stick/wheel can use a simple spring as does the 'bus. There is no relationship to compare. The FBW pitch law commands a modified gee, and not AoA. I can tell you that trim technique for the Viper was just like any other plane I flew. You trimmed to have a neutral stick pressure/force. If you were trimming for an attitude, no problem. But you could not trim for an AoA. So we were speed neutral, kinda like the 737 seems to be or they would not need STS, huh?
Late breaking news - - maybe the CVR mentioned a birdstrike, huh? Still comes down to a single point failure nd confusing procedures for stall and whacko trim.
Gums sends...