In the External Camera view -- Airplane default position too low?

Until you try it, you won’t know. I use the right Joystick in my Xbox controller mounted on my Alpha Yoke. I use the following bindings:

External Camera
External View Look Up
External View Look Down
External View Look Right
External View Look Left

I also use the same Joystick for:
Drone Camera
Pitch Drone Up and Down, etc
Slew Mode
Slew Pitch Down and Up, etc

I hope this help with your “no way to adjust stance”. Cheers