Mxsmanic wrote:
Do you use autopilots on short trips (along the lines of an hour or
so)? Do you use autopilots systematically on IFR flights?

I use autopilots whenever strategically advantageous.

Is it bad form to use the autopilot for a 25-minute flight?

Sometimes it's BETTER FORM to use the autopilot on shorter flights.
Enroute is generally a lot of inactivity. Takeoff and landing
is the busy part of IFR. Best to off-load onto George when
you are busy.

tried KPAE-KTIW under IFR both by hand and with autopilot, and
autopilot is a breeze in any weather whereas flying by hand is
troublesome even without any wind or turbulence. I try to fly by
hand, but the lure of the autopilot is strong sometimes and I use it
to get some rest.

Turbulence can actually be more difficult on the autopilot. It
wants to hold you to course and altitude and tends to overcontrol
to stay there. Hand flying you're willing to take the slight
deviations because you know it will even out in the long term.