Smith's Mk10 Auto Pilot on the Vulcan Mk1 at Boscombe Down required many test hours coupling it to the Nav Bomb System and for auto ILS approaches. After finding the optimum settings on each avionic coupling unit we had to ensure that full rate runaways of the AP would not overstress the aircraft out to all corners of its manoeuvre envelope.
Adjustable spring struts interposed between the AP and the flight control system provided positive AP disconnects for all critical cases. One complication arose with the AP coupled for an auto ILS approach when the spring struts set for protection at high IAS could not cope with the AP inputs needed at the lower approach speeds. Problem solved by decreasing the forces from the flight control feel units when approach selected.
Would like to hear if there were any AP manoeuvering problems in squadrons ?