Originally Posted by dera

That's the part that's open to interpretation. This is the key point:
"using the second in command instead of the autopilot."

"Instead", is the word that makes it ambiguous. If they said "instead of the autopilot authorization" or anything, it would've been more clear. Now it just says instead of autopilot. The way you can read it, and no-one knows what's the "right way" to read it, is that you cannot use the autopilot if you have an SIC.

This could also be confirmed by the next question:
"In other words, the certificate holder elects not to conduct an IFR flight using the single pilot with a functioning autopilot option". "functioning autopilot option" seems to be the only other option to using SIC. It does not allow for using both.

Also, this does not address the empty legs. Are they loggable? They are not passenger carrying operations, even if they are operated under part 135.