Recording and real-time transmission of in-flight condition of aircraft cockpit to ground services

A flight recorder system for real-time monitoring an aircraft, wherein said system is separate from the aircraft's own avionics, the system comprising:

• (a) at least one percepting component for ascertaining a condition of an aircraft, the percepting component comprising one or more sensors for sensing a condition;
• (b) wherein the percepting component is situated at a location on or within the aircraft from which information may be ascertained;
• (c) a communication mechanism connected with said percepting component for transmitting and/or receiving communications over a communications network;
• and
• (d) a control mechanism connected with said percepting component to receive information from the percepting component and to communicate the information via the communication mechanism;
• wherein said at least one or more sensors comprises a barometric pressure sensor, an accelerometer sensor, and an altitude sensor, and wherein said one or more sensors are independent from the aircraft's avionics and guidance components;
• wherein said one or more sensors are configured to detect an emergency condition experienced by the aircraft;
• wherein the aircraft being monitored has a cockpit, wherein the system includes a speaker situated within the aircraft cockpit, and wherein said system is configured to issue an alert via said speaker, when the system detects an emergency condition;
• wherein said accelerometer sensor, said attitude sensor and said barometric pressure sensor are combined and provide an indication of when the aircraft is taking off and climbing out, or landing, and wherein the system programmed to only record, or only to record and transmit, during those periods when said aircraft is taking off and climbing out, or landing.