SNS3Guppy,
You write, "Whereas RVSM requires the autopilot to be engaged, this relegates hand flying in most cases to the climb up through FL290, and somewhere on the lower portion of the descent."
Not quite so. Eurocontrol publishes the following:
"(d)When changing levels, the aircraft should not be allowed to overshoot or undershoot the cleared flight level by more than 45 m (150 ft).
Note - It is recommended that the level off be accomplished using the altitude capture feature of the automatic altitude-control system, if installed.
(e) An automatic altitude-control system should be operative and engaged during level cruise, except when circumstances such as the need to re-trim the aircraft or turbulence require disengagement. In any event, adherence to cruise altitude should be done by reference to one of the two primary altimeters. Following loss of the automatic height keeping function, any consequential restrictions will need to be observed."
Item (d) indicates to me that it is not required to use the autopilot during climb or descent in RVSM airspace, it is only recommended that the level off be done using the altitude capture feature of the automatic altitude control system, if installed.
Item (e) states the the automatic altitude control system "should" be operative and engaged during the level cruise portion of the flight except in the conditions mentioned.
Note that nowhere does Eurocontol use the word autopilot. One view of an automatic altitude control sysyem might well be Flight Director System capable of automatically directing aircraft attitude to maintain the cleared altitude. And of course automatically capture the cleared altitude :-))
best regards,
Bruce Waddington (a big fan of hand flying when work load permits)