I used to use ap whenever I got it, but seeing as there are more less-skilled players online most of the time, I said what the hell, I won't use it. Got my butt kicked a few times for it, but it's ok. Point in case - it's not cheating, it's the same as getting 5 speed boosts in a raw (meaning something you can't control getting or not). But as I as still not at the level of some of the ace pilots here, I thought I'd drop it all together, if only to become better at flying around at some those damn reverse tracks.
Btw, this does have the chance of getting into a different discussion...