Quoting from "Handling The Big Jets" 1970 ! edition by D.P Davies. "The autopilot is a great comfort,so are the flight director and the approach coupler. But do not get into the position where you need these devices to complete the flight. Keep in practice in raw I.L.S,particularly in crosswinds. Keep in practice in hand-flying the aeroplane at altitude and in making purely visual approaches."
I find it very disturbing that modern pilots seem to have lost basic flying skills and too much reliance on automation and computers . Start on gliders then light aircraft as part of the training you will be a far better stick/rudder pilot.
