Originally Posted by CaptainProp
It is recommended that the landing gear is extended at or below 200kts to get a "feel" of the aircraft in direct law earlier. Below 200kts gives a better pitch control, remember, one elevator and all slats are lost.
As soon as the gear comes down, you'll be in direct law. The remaining elevator deflection will be directly proportional to side stick deflection. The higher the speed, the more effective the remaining elevator will be. Not the other way around! So put the gear down AT 200 kts, NOT "At or below"
South Prince said it all. The FCOM is clear enough!
Additionally, when in direct law, I as a pilot want to be in manual control of thrust: An increase in thrust will result in a pitch up moment and vice versa. In manual thrust I can anticipate the pitch change and add or reduce thrust more smoothly!
If you let autothrust take care of maintaining the speed, you will be chasing the desired pitch as the pitch varies when autothrust changes the thrust.