fuel cell types may be employed e g such as a molten carbonate fuel cell mcfc in one form fuel cell 62 is electrically coupled to a power conditioner for conditioning the output of fuel cell 62 for subsequent delivery to aircraft 10 components and or engine 20 components in other embodiments fuel cell 62 may be electrically coupled to other components in one form a reformer 65 is in fluid communication with fuel cell 62 reformer 65 is configured to reform fuel f e g a typical aircraft gas turbine engine fuel into syngas for use by fuel cell 62 in other embodiments fuel cell 62 may not include a reformer e g depending upon the type of fuel cell used in an application and or the type of fuel f supplied to fuel cell 62 apu start up combustor 63 is fluidly disposed between compressor 60 and turbine 64 apu start up combustor 63 is configured to receive fuel f and combust fuel in pressurized air received from compressor 60 in one form combustor 63 is configured to add heat to the pressurized air received from compressor 60 prior to fuel cell 62 achieving its normal operating temperature the heated pressurized air is discharged into turbine 64 for extraction of mechanical power in one form once fuel cell 62 has achieved its operating temperature combustor 63 is shut.