That feature is called direct law on an Airbus. The flight control is certified by FAA. Your 767 would also fall out of the sky without computer support
Boeing continued to the chose conventional control systems for its 757 and 767 aircraft but Airbus Industries went ahead and introduced digital fly-by-wire in its A320 airplanes. It was only on the Boeing 777 that the Company finally decided to introduce the digital fly-by-wire controls. Thus, this concept which is basically the result of wanting to put a man on the moon, have today become an accepted part of modern aviation design.
Although the Boeing 777 and the Airbus 320 series and later, adopted this new concept, there are slight differences in their applications. Airbus has taken a much different philosophical approach to using computers than Boeing. The European airplane maker designed its new fly-by-wire jets with built-in protections or hard limits.
The Boeing Company, on the other hand, believes pilots should have the ultimate say, meaning that on the Boeing jets, the pilot can override onboard computers and their built-in soft limits. The issue is, should pilots or a computer have the ultimate control over a commercial jetliner as the plane approaches its design limits in an emergency? There were strong arguments by pilots on both sides of the debates. Some pilots were of the opinion that computer protection of the A320 is very good whereas other pilots support the Boeing philosophy that they must have the final say in controlling the airplane
the 767 has FULL OVER RIDE.. when you hit the autopilot disc switch or apply a certain amout of pressure on the YOKE it disconnects giving the pilot full CONTROL
Here is a good post by Zeke: http://www.airliners.net/aviation-forums/general_aviation/read.main/3018977/
Also a good read is: http://www.seattlepi.com/business/boe202.shtml
Is there a real direct control on 767? Can you tell me how a B767 is controlled without any computer or electricity? Even CVR and FDR go offline without electricity.
“Some pilots were of the opinion that computer protection of the A320 is very good whereas other pilots support the Boeing philosophy that they must have the final say in controlling the airplane”
You may ask this Chesley Sullenberger what the A320 did when the engines lost thrust.
“Thus, this concept which is basically the result of wanting to put a man on the moon, have today become an accepted part of modern aviation design.”
On the A380 several controls can be operated as backup via direct driven electrical actuators in case of loss of hydraulic oil.
“The European airplane maker designed its new fly-by-wire jets with built-in protections or hard limits.”
There are no hard limits except those disrupting the aircraft (about 2.5 g). For military purpose you may set the force limit to 3.0, 3.5 g or even 4.0 g. It's also no problem to fly an Airbus at direct law. So it's no problem to fly e.g. a barrel roll but most passengers won’t like such stunts.
Do you know how the fly-by-wire system works on a C-17? Hint, it’s not a Boeing design.