Structure of Piperidine

Pyrrolidine is derived from pyridine by complete hydrogenation. There are two insteresting structural features to note. First, the molecule assumes a chair form just like cyclohexane. Secondly, the N-atom is pyramidal and the N-lone pair is oriented in the axial direction. In your opinion, what is the advantage of this lone pair orientation as opposed to the alternative (H up and lone pair equatorial)?


Figure. The RHF/6-31G* optimized structure of piperidine.