I think in and of itself, flight is quite simple. I have the persistent feeling that Captain Hank of old, the guy who flew water a/c through 747s for PanAm could fly the AB or the Boeing with equal confidence.
Let me be honest here. I think in some cases, perhaps in many cases, complexity is devoid of return, and sold for its profit or perceived benefit. I try to put Hank in each of these accident circumstances. 447? Switch off a/p and hand fly. Unreliable a/s. Pitch and Power, and by the way, where is the A/H? Alpha Prot? I need a box to "save" MY a/c from upset? Etc.
If an a/c is perceived to be superior, Fine. Don't forget to show its pilots how to manage it in difficulty. Don't make the goal transcendence above the pilots. No machine is perfect, if it can fail, it will. Don't potentiate a surprise when the a/c does something "impossible". Don't let engineering ego kill people. False confidence is a poor substitute for preparation?
bear