Geoffers,
I agree that designers often don't understand much about how an aircraft is piloted and that the positioning of important buttons is often rather random.
However, If the pilot is averagely aware of his autopilot functions and uses them regularly then something like the GA button can be a lifesaver - it doesn't beat a decent instrument scan and regular IMC exposure though.
Our GA button is on the collective (even though it works through the cyclic channel) and, providing the AP hasn't been inadvertently selected off, works surprising well as a recovery from UPs.