I find it suprising that 1500hrs TT is regarded by some as some kind of compensation for not having an autopilot.
Having seen these people do engine tests while taxiing (i.e. against the brakes) I reckon not a few rules get bent on these operations.
The CAA bans SE turbine PT ops (regardless of how modern the aircraft might be) while allowing this sort of thing - they clearly have no idea where risk resides.