I'm with Al Bert. Pilots used to do the hovering in my day. Automation is great, up to the point of failure. What ever the advances in Gizzmos and stated failure probabilities. A SAR crew must be fully proficient in all modes including the pure human element as well.
Agreed. One only has to look at the various accidents in recent years (NB not all RW cases) where over-reliance on automation has been a significant factor to realize that basic pilot skills still have a crucial part to play...one of the benefits of the generous RAF SAR training allowance was regular practice by day and night of (a) what to do at the moment when the steam-driven AFCS throws a wobbly and (b) how to continue the job once the initial malfunction/fauilure has been addresed.