Imho, 'hand flying' is doing it from take-off to landing with everything turned off (
no A/P, no A/T, no F/D) and not f'ing any of it up. I did exactly that very recently, i.e. nothing, zero, zilch working for several days and many sectors (
a long story behind it, but let's just say that 'we had to go', and so go we did, many times). Basically, my Boeing turned itself into a Seneca powered by gas turbine engines and rather more seats; and you'd be amazed how little you need working but it'll still fly quite nicely (
if you've got the skill?!). One day I'll write the book.
