A ground support system (1) for an aircraft having a turbine engine, which ground support system comprises; an intermittent combustion engine (2), a generator (3) which is driven by the combustion engine to supply electrical power with a constant frequency, an electricity cable (4) to transport the electrical power to the aircraft, an air pump (5) which is driven by the combustion engine to supply pressurised air, an air duct (6) to transport the pressurised air to the aircraft, a control unit (7) to control the operation of the ground support system (1), which control unit (7) communicates with the combustion engine (2) to let the combustion engine run at a predetermined engine rotational speed, and wherein the air pump (5) is driven by the combustion engine (2) via an adjustable transmission (16) to adjust an air flow rate of the pressurised air supplied by the air pump (5), while the combustion engine (2) remains running at the predetermined engine rotational speed.

A starter air valve comprising: a housing comprising an inlet at a first end, an outlet at a second end opposite the first end, and a center portion between first end and second end, the outlet being fluidly connected to the inlet through a fluid passage; a first piston located within the housing between the first end and center portion, the first piston comprising: a first cupped portion configured to form a first chamber with the housing proximate the first end; and a second piston located within the housing between the second end and center portion, the second piston comprising: a third cupped portion configured to form a third chamber with the housing proximate the second end; wherein the pistons are configured to regulate airflow through the fluid passage by adjusting at least one of a first pressure within the first chamber and a third pressure within the third chamber.

A starter air valve comprising: a housing comprising an inlet at a first end, an outlet at a second end opposite the first end, and a center portion between first end and second end, the outlet being fluidly connected to the inlet through a fluid passage; a first piston located within the housing between the first end and center portion, the first piston comprising: a first cupped portion configured to form a first chamber with the housing proximate the first end; and a second piston located within the housing between the second end and center portion, the second piston comprising: a third cupped portion configured to form a third chamber with the housing proximate the second end; wherein the pistons are configured to regulate airflow through the fluid passage by adjusting at least one of a first pressure within the first chamber and a third pressure within the third chamber.

A model airplane engine starting stick is provided with a blade edge engaging roller having a roller surface of a material which will grip the blade edge of the propeller when against the blade edge of the propeller to cause the roller to roll along the blade edge without sliding over and damaging the blade edge as the starting stick is moved with respect to the blade edge to rotate the propeller. The starting stick of the invention includes a handle by which the starting stick can be held and manipulated by a user and a roller attached to the handle to freely rotate or roll with respect to the handle.

A model airplane engine starting stick is provided with a blade edge engaging roller having a roller surface of a material which will grip the blade edge of the propeller when against the blade edge of the propeller to cause the roller to roll along the blade edge without sliding over and damaging the blade edge as the starting stick is moved with respect to the blade edge to rotate the propeller. The starting stick of the invention includes a handle by which the starting stick can be held and manipulated by a user and a roller attached to the handle to freely rotate or roll with respect to the handle.

An internal combustion engine has both a primary fuel system and a starting fuel intake assembly. The primary fuel system and the starting fuel intake assembly provide separate flow paths to a common chamber of the internal combustion engine. An external starting fuel source is fluidly connectable with the starting fuel intake assembly of the internal combustion engine, for instance when exposed to a low ambient temperature environment. The internal combustion engine is started while a starting fuel is flowing into a combustion chamber for the internal combustion engine. A primary fuel may also be flowing into the combustion chamber at this time. After the primary fuel is being consistently ignited in the combustion chamber, the flow of starting fuel to the combustion chamber may be terminated and the external starting fuel source may be fluidly disconnected from the starting fuel intake assembly of the internal combustion engine.

A dual-use air turbine system for a gas turbine engine of an aircraft is provided. The dual-use air turbine system includes a variable area air turbine mechanically linked to a spool of the gas turbine engine through a multi-speed gear set. The dual-use air turbine system also includes a plurality of valves in pneumatic ducting operable to direct an engine start air flow through an inlet of the variable area air turbine and drive rotation of the spool during an engine start mode of operation. The valves are further operable to direct an engine bleed air flow from a compressor section of the gas turbine engine through the inlet of the variable area air turbine and drive rotation of the spool during an environmental control system active mode of operation.

A dual-use air turbine system for a gas turbine engine of an aircraft is provided. The dual-use air turbine system includes a variable area air turbine mechanically linked to a spool of the gas turbine engine through a multi-speed gear set. The dual-use air turbine system also includes a plurality of valves in pneumatic ducting operable to direct an engine start air flow through an inlet of the variable area air turbine and drive rotation of the spool during an engine start mode of operation. The valves are further operable to direct an engine bleed air flow from a compressor section of the gas turbine engine through the inlet of the variable area air turbine and drive rotation of the spool during an environmental control system active mode of operation.

A system is provided for cross engine coordination during gas turbine engine motoring. The system includes a first gas turbine engine of a first engine system, a first air turbine starter of the first engine system, a first starter air valve of the first engine system, and a controller. The controller is operable to command the first starter air valve to control delivery of compressed air to the first air turbine starter during motoring of the first gas turbine engine, monitor cross engine data of a second gas turbine engine of a second engine system to detect a present condition or a commanded action that modifies an aspect of the compressed air received at the first starter air valve, and command an adjustment to the first engine system to compensate for the modified aspect of the compressed air based on the cross engine data.

An air start unit for starting and servicing jet engines in aircraft and other flying machines, wherein at least one compressor is provided for generating air and a power supply for supplying electrical power consumers. The air start unit drives the compressor with at least one electric motor, with the electric motor drawing the electrical energy for operation from a high-voltage battery. The electric motors then in turn drive the compressor, which generates compressed air from ambient air for the purpose of starting and servicing the jet engines in aircraft and other flying machines. With an appropriate battery capacity, the air start unit can also supply power consumer of these aircraft and other flying machines via the power supply.