"I am flattered by your frequent references to aerobatic pilots and aerobatic inputs but their relevance is lost (on me)."
Fuji, you brought the aerobatic connection up - I am not the only one here to recognise the absurdity of this link, managing the aircraft by hand flying it close to the edge of the flight envelope is an absurd concept in serious IMC. I'll take my chances with the autopilot any day, hand flying is a very poor second choice.
"An instrument pilot risks insufficient hand flying time"
I agree in terms of currency in following down the ILS needles on final approach, but straight and level in mod turbulence, the autopilot does a better job than any of us and although we have to be there to back it up I have never needed to do it thus far.
FYI the minimum fit I require for safe IFR flight is way beyond what the CAA mandate (only a magnetic compass as I recall). So in terms of the absurb minimalism of this regulation I am wrong, however in terms of a safe and pragmatic approach to staying alive in testing weather I have no doubt that I am right.
SB