Agreed. #FDRFAIL is trending too. What, I have a switch to throw now?
Joking aside, we have both a memo and CFM guidance for a deferred FCC/FD takeoff; we just can't use it until the MEL is on the release? Under most circumstances i believe we should fly the airplane the way our employers tell us to, but his seems a step backwards. A no FD takeoff is about the easiest 'no automation' scenario we have, good god, it's pitch for an airspeed, and less of one if there's a big bang from behind.
This is tantamount to mandating autopilot engagement at 600' and clicking it off at 80' on an ILS.
When its appropriate we should have the discretion to fly raw data, and practice what may be required by an MEL.
I wonder if the company will revisit this once people start refusing FD inop metal because they have never Rotated into the Raw.
/PL