CTR, my rsponse was aimed at the impression given by statements in the article like;”Shawn Coyle, a former Canadian air force helicopter test pilot, said he found the decision to install FBW technology on the Cyclones curious, given the fact that the civilian version has a conventional hydro mechanical flight control system with stabilization and autopilot features.
To make the technological leap to fly-by-wire, where computers replace standard hydraulics and cables, is "expensive and took a lot of time to get right," said Coyle,”
Perhaps Shawn displays a prejudice re FBW controls and I’d opine that if he had the opportunity to be involved in the design and development flying associated with that task, he’d change his stance. Now, this could easily turn into a thread regarding the reasons why the industry is transitioning to FBW for mid sized vertical lift and larger, but this thread is about the accident and the data from the recorders is needed so that may allow a rumor net to kick into second gear.