That's how I was taught to fly them too, but appears to not be universal when I've been preparing for the flight testing.
Won't work with this aircraft - the airbrake won't stay out without continuous pull, which would scupper anything but the technique you've just described, but ultimately, you test the aeroplane that's there, and need to be open to the conclusion that the aeroplane is safe but requires non-standard handling techniques.
G