Are autopilots allowed for IFR training?

The Visitor writes:

Yes.

In point of fact many large ac are not hand flown, except rarely.

In point of fact, gear up, ap on, autoland armed on approach. Or it is
taken at minimums.

On very large ac, there really is no hand flying happening. And with
three autopilots, it is not even considered to be a possible failure.
Meaning on rides, you can, without penalty, rely on "Otto". Yes even
with an engine out.

If I can do everything on autopilot, I might as well go out and pick
up an instrument rating right now. It's easier to fly in low
visibility with a good autopilot than it is to hand-fly the plane in
VMC. And if there's a complete flight management system on board, it
becomes more of a course in computer programming than a form of
flight, although I guess one can still get satisfaction from taxis to
and from the runway (I know some systems can take you from gate to
gate, but I don't know if anyone is using them).

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