HYBRID ELECTRIC PROPULSION SYSTEM WITH START SEQUENCE AND SHUTDOWN SEQUENCE

A method of and system for operating a hybrid electric propulsion system (20) for an aircraft in a start sequence is provided. The hybrid electric propulsion system (20) includes a thermal engine (22), an electric motor (24), a gearbox (36), an electric power storage unit (26), and a propulsion unit (28) having a propeller (40) having propeller blades (40A). The method includes: driving the propeller (40) from a static state to a target rotational speed within a predetermined range of speeds using the electric motor (24); transitioning the propeller blades (40A) from a feathered mode to an unfeathered mode while the propeller (40) is being driven at the target rotational speed solely by the electric motor (24); starting the thermal engine (22); and transitioning the driving of the propeller (40) using the electric motor (24) to driving the propeller (40) using the thermal engine (22).