Clandestino;
With regard to "missing a basic aerodynamic fact", no, I don't think either of us are missing that point. It should be quite obvious that both procedures keep the airplane flying - that is the entire point of the discussion and doesn't need re-stating.
The FCTM is a guide and an expansion upon the AOM. That fact is made abundantly clear and it should be abundantly clear to operating crews that the AOM is the legal document as specified in a carrier's OC.
The reference to the FCTM is made because, first the FCTM expands on many operating and abnormal matters and is available, and second because it explains how the UAS drill and the ADR Disagree checklists are to be done, which has proven a point of contention and confusion.
There is some value in such information given the fact that almost everyone including the BEA in their press conference was of the opinion that initially setting 5deg was the correct way to perform the memory items. It is not. But setting 5deg does no harm unless it is kept for an extended period of time - clearly, both keep the airplane flying.
Regarding theories of why the PF pitched the aircraft up, I have stated that there are a number of plausible theories and this is one. We will see what the BEA has to say and even then that likely will not be conclusive. We simply do not know why.
CONF iture, thanks for the link to the video - I'll view when able - back on the road. Clearly however, Airbus thinks that it isn't useful otherwise they would enhance it, not remove it.