Abstract: An aircraft electrical network including a first starter generator mechanically coupled to a first shaft of an aircraft main engine. The first starter generator is configured to turn the first shaft of the main engine in a starting mode, and to generate electricity from the first shaft of the gas turbine engine in a generating mode. The network further includes a DC electrical bus electrical coupled to one or more electrical loads and an AC electrical bus electrically coupled to the first starter generator. The DC electrical bus is electrically coupled to the AC electrical bus via a bi-directional AC/DC converter, which is configured to provide AC electrical power from the DC electrical bus to power the first starter generator when the first starter generator is in a starting mode, and DC electrical power to the DC electrical bus when the first starter generator is in a generating mode.