I think A/T SHOULD be always disconnected when A/P disc. or seconds later. I do it so in all my planes, even the MD-11.

 

I didn't know leaving the A/Thust in the MD-11 was a normal procedure and as a flightsimmer I would not recommend hand flying with A/T engaged. 

 

Fly the airplane or leave the automation, no half measures.

 

Here a MD-11 from Martinair landing at LEPA 24L, awesome crew.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L00D_Q3Ij4s

 

 

Regards, Pau Daniel.

In the case of Single Pilot ops on Vatsim, I will often leave autopilot and autothrottle on till the final frequency change (usually from Approach to Tower) which is usually forthcoming around the 10 to 5 mile mark. Auto Throttle and Auto Pilot come off almost as soon as I have my view set to forward for landing after the frequency change has been made, sometimes even before the call is made to Tower.

 

Unless the plan is to Autoland or something similar (low visibility ops for instance).

 

I'd put a limitation of "Stable configured for approach at 1000ft" to include the automation. If I'm not autolanding, all automatics should be off by 1000ft or 500ft if on a visual approach. If anything isn't configured for landing at 50ft above Decision Height, go around.