Great inputs and insight from Nuts and Doze.
As far as Okie's comments about flying at the edge of the envelope.....
It seems to me that a functional 'bus could be flown to the "limiters" at a safe altitude to demonstrate the characteristics of the jet and the FCS. If I were flying one of the things, then I would like to do it, not in the sim. I would probably notice the "feel" of the jet and any burble or other indication that I was approaching stall.
Any other pilots here agree with that?