It would, if all discarding cards said was 'flip the card'.

But it doesn't, it says 'flip the card and it's out of play for all purposes except determining list cost'.

Out of play is out of play; cards which are not in play have no effect.

Otherwise, cards on a destroyed (or docked) ship would continue working, and you could never kill Pallpatine THE DARK SIDE WOULD PROTECT HIM FOREVER.

It says "flip the card facedown". Dual upgrades have two faces so there's no facedown.

What skills or abilities in the game instruct us to flip an upgrade card?

I'm not blown away by this card but I see it's uses. Still think FFG missed a chance here. The card should of had something like (Action) Flip this card to its other face. Move first shoot first at the cost of an action would be fun.

I thought this would be a great idea for a tractor vessery and a Vader. Get to either shoot the tractor beam or Vader first. But to choose one face for the rest of the game is limiting.... Not flexible.... Adaptable if you will. Have to rethink this EPT

Did you mean Rexler? Vessery and Vader are too far apart in terms of PS for a +1/-1 to make one fire before/after the other.

What skills or abilities in the game instruct us to flip an upgrade card?

Anything that tells you to discard it.

What skills or abilities in the game instruct us to flip an upgrade card?

Anything that tells you to discard it.

The difference between flipping a card over and discarding it is going to become important. Currently it's used to "replace" the discard rule-

Discarded Cards When a player is instructed to discard a Ship card or Upgrade card, he or she flips it facedown instead. Facedown Ship and Upgrade cards are out of play. Discarded Upgrade cards remain next to the Ship card to which they are equipped; they are not placed into the score pile unless the ship to which they are equipped is destroyed.

This is going to affect the upcoming Tomax Bren, that specifically references both discarding and flipping cards. (So far, not released, FFG could change the wording.)

I think FFG is going to need to clean up the discard/flip mechanics before Imp Veterans comes out. And definitley before making any more dual upgrade cards.