ill try to answer your questions in one big vague answer.
i was impressed with another topic that asks "what is falcon NOT supposed to do to win?". this brings up a great point. many falcons try so hard to do something, that they dont realize positions they are putting themselves in that make them easy targets.
falcon has LOTS of problem spots. the best way to work around it is to learn as much tech as possible and be as fast as possible. this gives you the best advantage to deal with his problem areas. lets start with one already mentioned, his recovery.
his recovery is pretty terrible. it can be abused in multiple ways by nearly all characters. you WILL die most of the time off the stage. you can only try your best and hope for the best. i almost ALWAYS go for the ledge. grabbing the ledge = safe zone. sweetspotting to edgetech is also a technique that should be mastered to ensure maximum life potential. your c falcon WILL die like 50% more if you dont sweetspot. sweetspotting = essential.
theres also many other strategy weaknesses that falcon should not abuse. for instance, dont jump off the ledge for off-stage KOs unless you have COMPLETE control of your falcon. falcon is not good off the edge.... ledgehogging and patience is often the better safer edgeguard. falcon can be gimped hardcore at low %'s, eliminate those from happening and you will live longer, guaranteed.
Dont DI wrong. EVER. this takes lots and lots of experience and practice, but its an absolute must. DI tippers UP, fox usmashes AWAY, etc. etc. my peak damage can often get to 200% while absorbing attacks and using good recovery tech and ledgeteching.
keep l cancels TIGHT. upon landing with a shffl or any l cancelled attack, jump or dash immediately!! and by immediately, i mean immediately, and consistently. campy foxs/marths/sheiks/anyone WAIT for your fubared l cancels and shield lag. this proves to be a great way to avoid grabs, as many chars have devastating grab techniques against falcon. eliminating the beginnings of these techniques eliminates useless % and death combos.