Eoin,
I thought the same about my Auto Air. I think it came off the day after my Mod 1 course
I just took mine off the hose, cut the hose a bit shorter and replaced the AutoAir with a Dive Rite inflator I took off an old wing I had lying around and then connected the inflator hose straight into the manifold.
Very easy 10 minute job; don't forget you'll need OPV on the dil first stage as well.
Hope this helps,
Gary