Abstract: An aircraft heating assembly including an internal combustion engine having a liquid coolant system distinct from any fuel and lubricating system of the engine and including cooling passages in the internal combustion engine for circulating a liquid coolant from a coolant inlet to a coolant outlet, a coolant circulation path outside of the internal combustion engine and in fluid communication with the coolant inlet and the coolant outlet, and a heating element in heat exchange relationship with a portion of the aircraft to be heated. The coolant circulation path extends through a heat exchanger configured to remove a portion of a waste heat from the liquid coolant. The heating element is in heat exchange relationship with the coolant circulation path to receive another portion of the waste heat therefrom. A method of heating a portion of an aircraft is also discussed.

Abstract: An auxiliary power unit for an aircraft includes a rotary intermittent internal combustion engine, a turbine having an inlet in fluid communication with an outlet of the engine, the turbine compounded with the engine, a compressor having an inlet in fluid communication with an environment of the aircraft and an outlet in fluid communication with the aircraft, the compressor rotatable independently of the turbine, an electric motor drivingly engaged to the compressor, and a transfer generator drivingly engaged to the engine, the transfer generator and the electric motor being electrically connected to allow power transfer therebetween. The compressor or an additional compressor may be in fluid communication with the inlet of the engine. A method of operating an auxiliary power unit of an aircraft is also discussed.

Abstract: There is described herein methods and systems for selective use of an auxiliary power source inflight in order to reduce fuel consumption of an aircraft.

Abstract: An aircraft heating assembly including an internal combustion engine having a liquid coolant system distinct from any fuel and lubricating system of the engine and including cooling passages in the internal combustion engine for circulating a liquid coolant from a coolant inlet to a coolant outlet, a coolant circulation path outside of the internal combustion engine and in fluid communication with the coolant inlet and the coolant outlet, and a heating element in heat exchange relationship with a portion of the aircraft to be heated. The coolant circulation path extends through a heat exchanger configured to remove a portion of a waste heat from the liquid coolant. The heating element is in heat exchange relationship with the coolant circulation path to receive another portion of the waste heat therefrom. A method of heating a portion of an aircraft is also discussed.