Good point Woodpecker. Note that the quote can be attributed to Brian Abraham, not myself. And I think you're right, the tail can in fact produce positive lift, ie in the up direction, with the appropriate trim/yoke position. Brian's comment was probably meant to include the phrase "in straight and level flight"
Not sure what Cactus means...lots of pilots believe the tail produces up force in flight....nothing unusual there....
Air France....set a power setting, set a pitch, and hope for the best (??)
Use aoa (if supplied)?