A protection to me means a limit, something is prevented that could conceivably cause a serious problem
Dear Bear, sorry for my late answer... Was busy with other things...
What I meant to say all the time with the faulty switch of state (imo), is that the "reminder" given by Direct Law to use manual trim could have given a hint to the pilots about their attitude... And therfor: act as a protection...
If you donīt have any indication about your speed... What is the best action?
TO/GA?
Well, I donīt think so...
For me would be IDLE and trim-out to best gliding speed (AoA). Then pay attention to the blaring show...
If that switch of state (Direct Law thus), would have helped the pilots or not is at this stage irrelevant (or not). I think everybody were very busy during this years trying to solve this event and Iīm almost certain we all will do their best to improve whatever went wrong. And as I said before.. I hope pilot unions will be there to see that safety recommendations (as issued by BEA), are implemented in a very near future.