Flying an aeroplane safely from point 'A' to point 'B' is about more than just the 'machine'.
Automation helps. Not only helps, it is REQUIRED kit and has greatly imporved the safety of jet transports. It is, in modern, complex and fast aeroplanes, an indespensible 'tool'.
It should never, EVER, be a CRUTCH.
Hand flying, whether via direct cable & pulley, hydraulics or FBW, is another INDISPENIBLE tool.
When the chips are down, and the last line of defense is to get your hands dirty and hand fly, is not the time to find THAT BASIC SKILL to have atrophied.
JEE_ZUS, I never thought that basic flying skills would be referred to as 'Top Gun' skills.
