I have never used auto-takeoff. But, I see now that if you choose auto-x commands like auto-speed/climb, auto-level, and the auto/lock attitude then stitch to the tail gunners position the plane will stay on that auto course.....
But, in a dog fight this won't help.... eg. if you start a roll, and the con was your low 6, you roll inverted, this puts him in your high 6 which is in the feild of fire of the tailgunner, if you jump to the gunner position the auto-leveling will try to flip you back over asap! do this too low and even if you swap back to the pilot seat you're dead.
What would be good when flying these types of fighters with gunners is that when you jump to the gunner, that the aircraft just continues in whatever direction and attitude that the controls where lift in, as if the stick was let go. Then its up to the you to jump back to the pilot position to keep the plane airborne. Of course, if the pilot HAS selected auto-x commands before swapping seats, these will continue to work in the gunners seat.
Thoughts.....