Performance considerations

The Antelope has been designed with the needs of low- to average-flight time pilots in mind. One of the key factors towards the ease of flight handling is the stall speed. By having a stall speed of only 42 knots, the Antelope can take off and land on shorter, unimproved fields compared to other aircraft with similar cruise speeds. In addition, the Antelope has been designed to have very docile stalling characteristics.

Optional parachute

The keel forms a large structural member just behind the seats and above the location of the seat cross bar attach point. This location is ideal for attachment of an aircraft parachute. An aircraft parachute would bring the entire aircraft down gently from an emergency that warranted such action. There is at least one parachute commercially available that is capable of use with the Antelope aircraft. This option is integrated structurally into the keel assembly.

Passenger cage

Typical general aviation accidents occur at about 55 knots airspeed, and an inclination of 30°. The Antelope is designed to protect occupants in the event of such a crash. The fuselage passenger compartment has been designed as a structural cage, which encapsulates the occupants so that they are protected from impact. The central keel of the fuselage and main wing spar make a formidable structure around which the cage of the fuselage is formed. The central keel is the main structure of the engine mount assembly and runs the entire length of the aircraft. The keel attaches to the main and rear spars in the wing and tail. The seat restraints are attached to the spar and keel in conjunction with the roll cage providing the highest degree of safety possible for such an aircraft. The canopy was designed to fit in such a way that additional structure and reinforcement could be added to the fuselage cage assembly at the outboard shoulder strap area to further strengthen this area.

Impact

In the event of an impact, the keel that runs down the center of the aircraft forms an effective and substantial protective beam. One can imagine the keel as a sled runner helping to transport the occupants over obstacles and to redirect much of the energy from impact before any breakup can occur. Inherent in the design is an extremely low inertia, due to the low empty weight of the aircraft. The engine is in the front, which, in the event of a crash, would dissipate much of the aircraft's momentum without unnecessary risk to the occupants.

Seat restraints

Five point restraining belts are standard, with single point release for maximum protection and fast release.

Control system

The secondary control system (the trim system) is being designed so that the aircraft has three-axis control from the trim system. This provides a complete and separate control system as a backup for the aircraft, in addition to the primary control system. Although this backup system will only work if the primary controls are not jammed, it provides an option that most small aircraft do not have. For example on most small planes, a cable failure would result in an inoperable control surface, and likely cause a crash. This trim system will ultimately be integrated into the instrument package to serve as the aircraft's autopilot system. This means that the autopilot is already part of the original configuration and will not require additional components attached to the control system.

Fuel

The Antelope has the entirety of its fuel stored in the wings, away from the passenger compartment. Many small aircraft have fuel tanks located behind the instrument panel, under or behind the seats, or in other areas inside the passenger compartment. Such close proximity of passengers to fuel could prove to be catastrophic in the event of a crash. The Antelope maintains adequate separation between fuel and the cabin area. Storing the fuel in integral wing tanks provides better storage efficiency than any other location, thus offering more baggage space in the cabin, and allowing aerodynamic benefits to the fuselage design.