On the MD80/90, only thing I can see is the glare of the position lights - at night. Only clue visible in the cockpit, as to the operations of flight controls is a message in overhead panel saying," spoiler deployed" when moving column left and right. Doesnīt say left or right!!!!!
Do I feel completely assured. Not really! Only consolation is, that Iīve flown all individuals in the fleet, and havenīt crashed yet. And if work has been done on the controls, A/C has been testflown and checked for the right cables going in the right direction. (No wires on this one
)
We just do your "method no. 2", and I feel itīs sufficient.
Sorry that I canīt comment on your subject, 735!