[morganw]

After watching Mentour Pilot's demo correcting for runaway trim in a 737 simulator, it seems like a switch that cuts out computer (autopilot, auto-speed, MCAS) control of the elevator trim motors, but keeps the column switches working would be nice. Consider how cumbersome & slow the manual wheels are: https://youtu.be/xixM_cwSLcQ?t=1129

It would be one more layer of complexity, but perhaps when the column trim switches are operated, all computer control could stop until it (autopilot, etc) is re-enabled by a human. The cutout switches in the center are still there if two column switches short out (used to be a single up-down switch, but it was single point of failure to runaway so now there are separate enable and direction switches).

[cjbprime]

This is sensible, but recall that Boeing is still claiming that the MAX flies like any other 737 and requires no special training. Adding a new button would require training in the use of that button.

(In case it's unclear, I don't support Boeing's position here.)

[js2]

There are switches for auto pilot and auto speed. MCAS is disabled with flaps extended. It's not procedure but had they set the flaps to a single degree it would have saved them. I think the Lion flight experimented with flaps briefly.