diff --git a/src/core/gameConfig.ts b/src/core/gameConfig.ts
index 0f8c1ee..42dc934 100644
--- a/src/core/gameConfig.ts
+++ b/src/core/gameConfig.ts
@@ -6,10 +6,10 @@ import log from './logger';
 const DEFAULT_SHIP_PHYSICS = {
     maxLinearVelocity: 200,
     maxAngularVelocity: 1.4,
-    linearForceMultiplier: 500,
-    angularForceMultiplier: .5,
-    linearFuelConsumptionRate: 0.0002778,   // 1 minute at full thrust (60 Hz)
-    angularFuelConsumptionRate: 0.0001389,   // 2 minutes at full thrust (60 Hz)
+    linearForceMultiplier: 400,
+    angularForceMultiplier: .4,
+    linearFuelConsumptionRate: 0.00002778,   // 1 minute at full thrust (60 Hz)
+    angularFuelConsumptionRate: 0.00001389,   // 2 minutes at full thrust (60 Hz)
     linearDamping: 0.2,
     angularDamping: 0.6, // Moderate damping for 2-3 second coast
     alwaysActive: true,  // Prevent physics sleep (false may cause abrupt stops at zero velocity)
diff --git a/src/core/handlers/levelSelectedHandler.ts b/src/core/handlers/levelSelectedHandler.ts
index e01a5b9..48cd549 100644
--- a/src/core/handlers/levelSelectedHandler.ts
+++ b/src/core/handlers/levelSelectedHandler.ts
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-import { AudioEngineV2, Engine, ParticleHelper } from "@babylonjs/core";
+import { AudioEngineV2, Engine, FreeCamera, ParticleHelper, Vector3 } from "@babylonjs/core";
 import { DefaultScene } from "../defaultScene";
 import { Level1 } from "../../levels/level1";
 import Level from "../../levels/level";
@@ -87,6 +87,16 @@ export function createLevelSelectedHandler(context: LevelSelectedContext): (e: C
             if (DefaultScene.XR) {
                 try {
                     preloader.updateProgress(75, 'Entering VR...');
+
+                    // Pre-position XR camera at ship cockpit before entering VR
+                    // This prevents camera jump on Quest when immersive mode starts
+                    const spawnPos = config.ship?.position || [0, 0, 0];
+                    const cockpitPosition = new Vector3(spawnPos[0], spawnPos[1] + 1.2, spawnPos[2]);
+                    const tempCamera = new FreeCamera("tempCockpit", cockpitPosition, DefaultScene.MainScene);
+                    DefaultScene.XR.baseExperience.camera.setTransformationFromNonVRCamera(tempCamera, true);
+                    tempCamera.dispose();
+                    log.debug('[Main] XR camera pre-positioned at cockpit:', cockpitPosition.toString());
+
                     xrSession = await DefaultScene.XR.baseExperience.enterXRAsync('immersive-vr', 'local-floor');
                     log.debug('XR session started successfully (render loop paused until camera is ready)');
                 } catch (error) {
@@ -171,11 +181,9 @@ export function createLevelSelectedHandler(context: LevelSelectedContext): (e: C
                     });
                 }
 
-                // Hide preloader
+                // Hide preloader immediately - SceneFader handles visual transition
                 preloader.updateProgress(100, 'Ready!');
-                setTimeout(() => {
-                    preloader.hide();
-                }, 500);
+                preloader.hide();
 
                 // Hide UI (no longer remove from DOM - let Svelte routing handle it)
                 log.info('[Main] ========== HIDING UI FOR GAMEPLAY ==========');
diff --git a/src/levels/level1.ts b/src/levels/level1.ts
index c77bf5d..c7be420 100644
--- a/src/levels/level1.ts
+++ b/src/levels/level1.ts
@@ -106,7 +106,7 @@ export class Level1 implements Level {
         xr.baseExperience.camera.position = new Vector3(0, 1.2, 0);
         log.debug('[Level1] XR camera parented to cameraRig at position (0, 1.2, 0)');
 
-        // Show the canvas now that camera is properly positioned in ship
+        // Show the canvas now that camera is parented
         const canvas = document.getElementById('gameCanvas');
         if (canvas) {
             canvas.style.display = 'block';
diff --git a/src/ship/shipPhysics.ts b/src/ship/shipPhysics.ts
index 62d84d7..c88d0be 100644
--- a/src/ship/shipPhysics.ts
+++ b/src/ship/shipPhysics.ts
@@ -60,7 +60,6 @@ export class ShipPhysics {
         const currentSpeed = currentLinearVelocity.length();
 
         let linearMagnitude = 0;
-        let angularMagnitude = 0;
 
         // Apply linear force from left stick Y (forward/backward)
         if (Math.abs(leftStick.y) > 0.15) {
@@ -81,7 +80,7 @@ export class ShipPhysics {
                     );
 
                     // Apply reverse thrust factor: forward at full power, reverse at reduced power
-                    const thrustMultiplier = thrustDirection < 0
+                    const thrustMultiplier = thrustDirection > 0
                         ? 1.0  // Forward thrust at full power
                         : this._config.reverseThrustFactor;  // Reverse thrust scaled down
 
@@ -109,7 +108,7 @@ export class ShipPhysics {
         }
 
         // Calculate rotation magnitude for torque
-        angularMagnitude =
+        let angularMagnitude =
             Math.abs(rightStick.y) +
             Math.abs(rightStick.x) +
             Math.abs(leftStick.x);