Looks like that is possible. I don't have anything in the keybinds project for the Hip yet, but will be starting on an update soon. Currently testing RIO binds for F-14 and then Hip and Hind are next on the list. I'll be sure to add in different speeds for the AP knobs.
I'd suggest using at least Quaggles mod to add the additional speeds - then the core files don't have to be edited. https://github.com/Quaggles/dcs-input-command-injector
If you use keybinds project it'll have folder/file structure set for every module, including Hip: https://github.com/Munkwolf/dcs-community-keybinds/tree/main/InputCommands
The LUA file to check is DCS\Mods\aircraft\Mi-8MTV2\Input\Mi-8MTV2\joystick\default.lua
Around line 806 you'll see the AP knobs:
{ pressed = device_commands.Button_13, value_pressed = -0.5, cockpit_device_id = devices.AUTOPILOT, name = _('Autopilot Heading Adjustment Knob - CCW/Left'), category = {_('Center Console'), _('Autopilot')}},
{ pressed = device_commands.Button_13, value_pressed = 0.5, cockpit_device_id = devices.AUTOPILOT, name = _('Autopilot Heading Adjustment Knob - CW/Right'), category = {_('Center Console'), _('Autopilot')}},
{ pressed = device_commands.Button_14, value_pressed = -0.5, cockpit_device_id = devices.AUTOPILOT, name = _('Autopilot Roll Adjustment Knob - CCW/Left'), category = {_('Center Console'), _('Autopilot')}},
{ pressed = device_commands.Button_14, value_pressed = 0.5, cockpit_device_id = devices.AUTOPILOT, name = _('Autopilot Roll Adjustment Knob - CW/Right'), category = {_('Center Console'), _('Autopilot')}},
{ pressed = device_commands.Button_15, value_pressed = -0.5, cockpit_device_id = devices.AUTOPILOT, name = _('Autopilot Pitch Adjustment Knob - CCW/Left'), category = {_('Center Console'), _('Autopilot')}},
{ pressed = device_commands.Button_15, value_pressed = 0.5, cockpit_device_id = devices.AUTOPILOT, name = _('Autopilot Pitch Adjustment Knob - CW/Right'), category = {_('Center Console'), _('Autopilot')}},
Here's how half-speed options for those would look:
{ pressed = device_commands.Button_13, value_pressed = -0.25, cockpit_device_id = devices.AUTOPILOT, name = _('Autopilot Heading Adjustment Knob - CCW/Left (Slow)'), category = {_('Center Console'), _('Autopilot')}},
{ pressed = device_commands.Button_13, value_pressed = 0.25, cockpit_device_id = devices.AUTOPILOT, name = _('Autopilot Heading Adjustment Knob - CW/Right (Slow)'), category = {_('Center Console'), _('Autopilot')}},
{ pressed = device_commands.Button_14, value_pressed = -0.25, cockpit_device_id = devices.AUTOPILOT, name = _('Autopilot Roll Adjustment Knob - CCW/Left (Slow)'), category = {_('Center Console'), _('Autopilot')}},
{ pressed = device_commands.Button_14, value_pressed = 0.25, cockpit_device_id = devices.AUTOPILOT, name = _('Autopilot Roll Adjustment Knob - CW/Right (Slow)'), category = {_('Center Console'), _('Autopilot')}},
{ pressed = device_commands.Button_15, value_pressed = -0.25, cockpit_device_id = devices.AUTOPILOT, name = _('Autopilot Pitch Adjustment Knob - CCW/Left (Slow)'), category = {_('Center Console'), _('Autopilot')}},
{ pressed = device_commands.Button_15, value_pressed = 0.25, cockpit_device_id = devices.AUTOPILOT, name = _('Autopilot Pitch Adjustment Knob - CW/Right (Slow)'), category = {_('Center Console'), _('Autopilot')}},
You should be able to drop that into the Hip's file in the keybinds project. The Hip has a few device-specific LUA files that you'd have to override (by copy-pasting the default.lua to a new file with name matching your device). You can check which ones by the list of files in F:\DCS\Mods\aircraft\Mi-8MTV2\Input\Mi-8MTV2\joystick. Only need to copy-paste if your device is there as a lua file (can ignore .diff.lua files)
It does require in-game command.
You could use software like joystick gremlin to trigger a button press when your throttle axis is at a certain %. ie, you could have your idle-max range of your throttle be detent to 100%, and from 0 to detent a virtual button is pressed via gremlin.
when that happens to me, the WMR portal is stuck on the "turn your head side-to-side and look at the floor" calibration step. i'll be in dcs and not have translation... i quit dcs, quit steamvr, and in wmr i'll ses that calibration step... do it, relaunch steamvr and dcs, and then it'll be fine.