Primitive FBW systems
@ Doze and JC:
I beg your pardons, sirs.
The Hornet ( aka YF-17) had a conventional hydraulic control system whereby stick inputs moved valves and the hydraulics moved the control surfaces - same as we had since early 1950's with the F-100, F-101, F-102, F-104, F-105, F-106, F-4, F-111, F-15 and many British and French designs.
Electronic systems "helped" with dampers and such, but the basic control systems were same as those of old.
The Viper was a radical change. Not only was the jet unstable below 0.95 mach, but there were zero mechanical connections to anything hydraulic - no valves, no nothing. Even the gear handle was an electric switch. Only mechanical connection was/is pneumatic bowdown bottle for nose gear and the throttle linkage to an electronic fuel control system ( more electronics) except in BUC ( back up control), when the motor was like the one in the T-33..
To the best of my knowledge, the Hornet still has hydraulic valves that can be controlled by the stick/rudder, with no required FBW inputs when the electrons go FUBAR. The electronics provide some "protections" and such, but just watch a Blue Angel solo pilot yank up at the end of the runway at extreme AoA and pitch rate. That maneuver shows that the FBW is not fully in control. Further, the Hornet is extremely stable in pitch. All my firends that flew the later version as well as the YF-17 say the same thing.
My point is that you can have a great FBW design that can provide "conventional" feel regardless of the aerodynamic stability, or lack thereof, of the platform.
I may be mistaken, but the crew of AF447 learned to fly with basic planes that did not have tons of electronic augmentation or "protections". Kinda like most of us here, ya think? Our cadre in the Viper was very concerned about the newbies that cam right outta pilot training. Turned out that it wsn't a problem. We showed them the limits ("protections") and they did just fine when returning to "conventional" jets. The Viper also had zero cosmic autopilot functions and such. Backup modes were very clear and simple.
all for now....