Originally Posted by TTex600
When? When Airbus intro'd an airplane that required the FD's be followed. If the FD's are not followed, it sometimes confuses the Autothrust system, etc. The only real way to "fly" the bus requires one to turn the A/P, A/T and F/D's all off. Otherwise, you're mixing things up and confusing both the co-pilot and FiFI/Henri/HAL.
But the Airbus procedure is quite clear : If you choose to NOT follow the FD, turn them OFF.