1) Helmsmanship 3 is way too overpowered for carriers. Optimized skill-less Astral (with UI) is already a tough enough opponent.
Maybe I'm missing something, but I can 1v1 (skill-less) it either with all-killing frigate trio (Hyperion, Afflictor, Shade) or other Capitals (only same Astral or Legion can do so reasonably fast, for non-carriers it's slow and dangerous process of cornering the Astral). And that's without Helmsmanship 3. With it, Astral is pretty much untouchable to all but super frigates and other capital carriers.
Helmsmanship 3 is unbalanced. Overpowered for carriers, useless for other warships that matter (even with 5%). Arriving to the front-line faster with shields up before losing the speed bonus is not worth a skill point.
Combat 3 is required for this alone if you want to dabble with carriers or even warships with Converted Hangar. With Technology and Leadership required for all optimized characters, this is another tax. This is why empty aptitudes do not work. All optimized characters will spend at least nine points into them.
That said, even with Helmsmanship 3, it is not enough for carriers to surpass Aurora and Paragon. Optimized Paragon outperforms optimized Astral, although they require different skills. Aurora might be able to outperform Heron and Mora, or at least kill as many ships in less time (because Aurora might need Safety Override or missiles to do it, which is undesirable when endurance is the goal).
As for enemy Astral duel, capitals might need to resort to a peak performance war if Astral cannot be cornered. At least Astral is one of those with less time. If the defender can destroy incoming fighters, it will wear down Astral, and wings that have been completely wiped out will tick down peak performance even if no enemies are present, until one fighter in the wing is rebuilt.
P.S. Helmsmanship 3 is a reason why (unarmed) Drover is head-and-shoulders above other destroyers. It has just enough speed to outrun everything, and it can maintain replacement rate with its system. 360 shields combined with endless kiting is all the defense it needs. Heron is up there near Aurora with this too.
I remember one time when I was ready to upgrade my flagship to a cruiser around midgame, I had a choice between Eagle and Heron. I almost picked Eagle by reflex, but thought... if I have trouble with cowardly AI with Wolf and Medusa flagship, how would I catch the enemy with an even slower ship? Heron, on the other hand, has fighters that can chase down cowards. My personal firepower may be weak, but the fighters should deal with that. After picking Heron, it soon became apparent I made the right choice. Heron was able to deal with a wide variety of enemies.
As for Talons, I do not mind them dying. They need to die to unleash two Swarmers every time they attack. (Talon launches two Swarmers, it dies, replacement arrives a moment later possibly without taxing replacement rate, dumps two more.) Talons can replace so fast that them dying is a benefit. For other fighters, dying hurts.