Ventilation fan having a hybrid bearing system

A ventilation fan, comprising:

• a shaft having a shaft body extending between a first shaft end and a second shaft end;
• a rotor having a rotor first portion disposed about the shaft and disposed proximate the first shaft end and a rotor second portion extending from the rotor first portion, the rotor first portion defining a rotor port;
• a motor housing disposed about the shaft and axially spaced apart from the rotor, the motor housing having a housing arm, a housing leg extending from the housing arm, and a vane platform extending from the housing leg, the vane platform defining a housing port;
• a bearing housing disposed about the shaft and disposed proximate the second shaft end, the bearing housing extending between the vane platform and a rotating element bearing that rotatably supports the shaft;
• and
• an air bearing that rotatably supports the first shaft end,
• wherein the air bearing disposed proximate the first shaft end and disposed between the housing arm and the shaft, an inner surface of the air bearing and an outer surface of the shaft define an air bearing flow path, and the housing port is in fluid communication with the air bearing flow path and the rotor port to define an air flow path.