[milo]

Wydraz's message kind of makes it sound like the keys control a "desired heading" pointer instead of controlling the ship directly. If the key repeat rate is set higher than expected, the desired heading pointer could get ahead of the ship's turn speed, eventually passing 180 degrees relative to the ship's heading. That might cause the ship to suddenly change turning direction in order to take the shortest route to the desired heading. The second reversal of direction would happen as the pent up keys caused the desired heading to continue around all the way through 0 degrees again.

Of course, I'm just speculating here. I abandoned keyboard steering after a few minutes of trial just as Mehrunes did. Mouse control just seemed to be the way Starfury was "meant" to be played, at least to me.