hi thing
the piper accident happened about 30 years ago...still had an autopilot ;-)
I do agree, an autopilot to keep the wings level, couple an approach or to nav/heading and hold pitch if not altitude is nice
but, its like an escalator in a department store (what do you call an escalator in england?)...if you use it every day, you will forget how to use stairs.
I like having a mobile phone with me in case my modern car breaks down.
using an autopilot is a reward for hand flying alot~!