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Old 9th May 2006, 12:18
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barit1
 
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It's a dynamic phenomenon - depends on the rate of change. Gusts, updrafts/downdrafts are short-term and DO affect IAS since inertial speed (i.e. groundspeed) cannot change instantly.

On the other hand the downwind turn is a longer-duration event. The same physical laws apply, but the rate of change is much slower - at least in a relatively fast plane at a standard rate turn. Energy must be added to increase the groundspeed, but it's all within the everyday minor turbulence.

The problem arises in a slower aircraft in a faster-than-standard rate downwind turn. In order to increase its inertial speed, energy must be added at a fairly high rate; either drop the nose or add power.
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