Never a need to slow down on downwind below 250kts, most just do it to avoid a long final, and "stretch the idle glide" as long as possible...if aware that we will be joining final for RWY13 from a down wind at "Girba" then no need to slow down..normally we are aware of the preceeding traffic, and slow down trying to anticipate when base turn will be....a notation on the app. chart something like.."aircraft flying downwind patterns maintain 250kts, or assigned speed, until abeam the airport, anticipate joining final at "Girba" (RWY13) or "RIDEX" (RWY31) (as is usually the case) would make planning an efficient profile easier, (of course bear in mind this in most cases rules out a last-minute "short approach") and probably reduce the number of airspeed suprises that atc recieves from us as well...anyway good to see a positive thread on the subject.....
