Thanks. I had been under the impression that the 737 max was fly by wire. So the AFCS is kinda like a helper, not a true autopilot?
In some aircraft it is an autopilot and is linkable to ground stations/ Confusion comes because the 'A' can be autopilot or automatic. This aircraft has a FCS that when engaged helps manage the instability inherent in helicopters. My old one had Stability Augmentation System which augmented control inputs and 'smoothed' them out so to speak. Required less pilot input. Also had a system of 'brakes' which if engaged allowed you to set the attitude and not have to mess with it.
Further info here: SAS
I think this guy went beyond his skillset and got the big 'V'. I got it once in flight school as a demo, and one for real in the fleet. Very bad juju and my experience in the first where my instructor saved me, gave me enough to fight it out myself later. It is extremely debilitating, but easy to avoid if you know about it.
It is, but that system can be turned to the OFF position and it won't effect the flight further. Helps that the two crashes it is blamed in had about 500 hours total experience in the cockpit.