Hi rigby, what a great and complete article covering so many points. Just something that might help.
Pendulum action and finishing in the air. A pendulum action would to the armature suggest holding the gun to a degree swinging it at either end when in fact the gun should be held at right angles directly facing the surface to be painted at all times moving the gun along in a parallel direction. Also while going slightly past the edge to air is fine. this is not always possible. The thing to do here is at the end of each stroke cut off the pant flow immediately by quickly taking your finger off the trigger completely and then hitting it completely as you start the return stroke.
Yes I was a spray painter at one time. In fact painted every petrol pump for every BP service station in Victoria, when BP changed their colors after taking over COR in the 50s. 120 on occasions up to 150 housings a day in stoving enamel.