.......I've got about 6 months of FBW after 15 years trimming. It's not that I don't like it, but it feels 'synthetic'. How will pilots that's never been used to trimming cope when they're put in a situation where they have to? On the other hand, it does not seem to generate a lot of heartache so perhaps there are other elements of flying we need to worry about more. Instrument scan and pitch+power for instance.
Yes, I guess that the new pilot who has only ever known the A320 family must have to work very hard to keep their scan up and go manual thrust, or when converting onto a conventional type. We learned all those skills years ago, but if you have never experienced unassisted manual, I imagine it would be a steep learning curve.
As far as 'synthetic', I kind of know what you mean, but I had no problem converting from basic conventional*, and am happy that the FBW is always in circuit assisting me, (in Normal Law). By switching off the autopilot, you are not switching off the FBW, but instead you are changing where the FBW gets its 'steering' commands: from the MCP/FMGS to your side-stick. So it still assists you even when flying manually.
* I did have to train myself to use the side-stick properly though; since instructors were very confusing about how to use it, and none of them explained it very well.
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