Centaurus
The ability to confidently take out misbehaving or limiting automatics, put the aircraft where it needs to be, re-instate automatics if need be, is a ancillary concern in this debate in relation to the value of hand flying proficiency.
If the Airbus safety record with mode confusion and lack of the basics is not a concern, the fact that some Airbus models have multiple Operational Engineering Bulletins stating failures of automation to deliver accurate Flight Director in critical phases should be.
I feel robbed of my hand flying proficiency by the industry and regulator.