Yes, the 'one off; both off' approach is known to work well even though there is the occasional wiff from the real 'technology is the way to go' brigade (of which I am NOT one) of that being the dinosaur approach.
Without going into too much boring detail of things long past, the original A/Ts were designed to only be used during Coupled Approaches to Autoland, as you know.
There is a myriad of information, both design criteria and 'discoveries' during flight test that do not make their way into the FCOMs or whatever.
Most manufacturer's are very cognisant of the fact that within their customer portfolio, there will be a 'lowest common denominator' who may go off in a wild way by misinterpreting all the information there is to have. I know, it sounds like hubris but what do people need to know is a complex question.
I agree; more information with appropriate caveats if needs be but there is a finite point in that argument.
AI for instance, did not have a FCTM for the A330/A340 as, I believe, they did not see the need for one until it was written for them by an operating airline.
Last edited by actus reus; 30th March 2016 at 05:46.
Reason: missed a couple of words