Hi Jack.

Something to consider that might make it easier for you is to open a new window (view) using the "[" key, zoom in on the A/P. Now you have the A/P in a position of easy access. I actually do this so I can see the N2 gauges when I'm starting the engines.

I have also found that "Z" turns the A/P ON and CTRL+Z turns the ALTITUDE HOLD ON (the switches actually move too). CTRL+H (HEADING HOLD) I haven't tried yet (except to see that it doesn't change the heading bug), but if it does, they are another way of doing it without taking your attention away from the job at hand.

Mark