IMHO.
I cannot believe this tale is so persistent as to once again prop up. Airplanes do not lose airspeed turning downwind, only ground speed will increase. We are flying in an airmass that is moving, however, airspeed is in relation to the speed of the ac through the air ( read: in steady moving air, regardless of speed of the air, to the ac and airspeed indicator the air is standing still) It might be possible to get airspeed changes turning downwind, but ONLY if the ac could instantaneous make a 180 degree turn, which obviously is not possible. This could be alikened to a rapid change in windspeed, ie a gust of wind, which would change airspeed.
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It's been real, it's been fun, but it has not been real fun
[This message has been edited by Diesel8 (edited 03 February 2000).]