Small engine cooled cooling air system

A system (32) for managing thermal transfer in an aircraft includes a fuel stabilization unit (44), a fuel-air heat exchanger (50), and a turbine (60). The fuel-air heat exchanger (50) is located downstream from the fuel stabilization unit (44). The fuel-air heat exchanger (50) places deoxygenized fuel in a heat exchange relationship with compressor (58) bleed air to produce heated deoxygenized fuel and cooled bleed air. The turbine (60) is operationally connected to the engine compressor (58) and receives cooled bleed air from the fuel-air heat exchanger (50) to cool the turbine (60).