Heedm,
Yes entering autos SE while on the dials is interesting, but once learnt and kept in practice are OK. As with everything, hovering is daunting at first but it all comes with time and experience.
The procedure I was taught was enter auto on the dials , establish 40 - 50 knot airspeed . Rad Alt set to 100 feet(preset), if you havent broken out at 100 feet gong start a flare and pull pitch, at least you will only fall from max 100 feet( if the Rad Alt is working????)LOL
All fine in theory and works Ok behind the screens/ under the hood, but for real??
Regards
Hover Bover