I absolutely understand that - I designed,built ,sold and setup hundreds of pattern planes - really.
Typically , we could set them up for hands off level - then very small corrections for other attitudes . (Tipo's, Runarounds , Buckers, Dalotels EMC2 etc..)
A very neutral but solid flyer can be done with just about any design.
The CG is very important in these.
This stuff I am playing with is completely different.
BUT- they both fly.
My original point was that , given the right combos, you can take huge liberties with what has oft been consided a hard, fast rule.
Both "truth and fact" are moving targets.