Originally Posted by
CVividasku
That's exactly the kind of information that I'm looking for.
At my airline, most of the time the plane in manually flown with the A/T still engaged.
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Your last sentence shows that you didn't understand the goal of my post.
Depending on the airplane characteristics, it can be easier or trickier to fly. The manufacturer usually tries to make the airplane as easy as possible. At least in my opinion they should.
1) we are talking about fly-by-wire systems. Boeing advises the use of A/T with A/P off on FBW aircraft. The statement "A/T OFF" is incorrect and applies to none FBW Boeing. On a FBW Boeing you are allowed to fly A/T off, but this is mainly done for proficiency and preferably in good weather conditions and otherwise standard operations (ie standard ILS approach into known airport).
2) yes I do understand your question, but it is not a question of "easy" or not. It is a question of "natural" or not, because with natural behaviour there will be natural pilot response. I also don't understand your questioning when talking about "easyness" and then only consider 1 single item in stability. You open the door of stability, there is a lot more to discuss. The reality for the pilot is that it is a natural behaviour. The nose will drop in a "seems natural direction" way, in a "seems natural slow/fast response", and hence we will react and support it (if you want to include stability, then all it a "perceived stability"?). There is also a reason why there is a PF and a PM. The PF is not supposed to look anywhere else for 10 seconds, especially not when he's reducing the speed. Why would he look anywhere else? This is basic piloting skills. Hence the question if you're a pilot or an engineer.
I'm a pilot (trainer) and an engineer in aviation. It's interesting for the instructors to have all the background information, it's even more interesting to be able to show it. But it doesn't change anything. When you go into the simulator and demo the behaviour, a behaviour that is considered "natural" whatever is causing it, it requires a natural response of the pilot. So yes, A/T ON is easier on a Boeing FBW as it reduces workload and reduces the chance of overstimulation in case of problems.
As far as the answer to your "hard/easy" question: it is more than easy enough as it doesn't require thinking. It is a trained skill that doesn't need adaptation. It's simply more relax.