Chopjock,
The report refers to the force trim release switches being held in (depressed) to enable full manual control, nothing to do with the AP. There is no AP designed to be capable of carrying out a take-off profile from the ground, but setting up and using the stability aids such as stick trim can greatly aid getting away from the ground and flying a pre-planned profile. The use of helicopter APs are limited by the relevant AFM to certain limits such as not below a certain speed or height. Of course it is prudent and good airmanship to pre-select/arm hdg and alt holds prior to take off in these circumstances.