Final answer:
The approximate weight that the airplane structure would need to support during a 45° banked turn while maintaining altitude is approximately 4,500 pounds.
Step-by-step explanation:
During a banked turn, the weight of the airplane can be divided into two components: the vertical component that balances the airplane's weight to maintain altitude, and the horizontal component that provides the centripetal force to keep the airplane in the turn. To calculate the approximate weight that the airplane structure needs to support during a 45° banked turn while maintaining altitude, we can use trigonometry.
The weight supported by the airplane structure can be found using the formula:
Weight supported = Weight of the airplane * tan(banked angle)
Substituting the given values:
Weight supported = 4,500 lbs * tan(45°)
Weight supported ≈ 4,500 lbs * 1
Weight supported ≈ 4,500 lbs
So, the approximate weight that the airplane structure would need to support during the 45° banked turn while maintaining altitude is approximately 4,500 pounds.