System and method for acquiring data from an aircraft

A system for remotely acquiring data describing the operation of an aircraft, the system comprising:

• a sensor device coupled to the aircraft for generating and storing the data, the sensor device having a processor;
• a first wireless communication interface coupled to the sensor device and configured to:
• receive a request for the data via a wireless communication link;
• receive the appropriate data from the first processor in response to the request;
• and
• transmit the data over the wireless communication link;
• and
• a portable electronic device comprising a second wireless communication interface and configured to:
• establish the wireless communication link with the first wireless communication interface;
• transmit the request to the first wireless communication interface;
• and
• receive the data from the first wireless communication interface.

A method for acquiring data describing the operation of an aircraft engine controller, the aircraft engine controller configured to collect the data from at least one sensor, the method comprising:

• transmitting a request for the data to a wireless communication interface that is coupled to the aircraft engine controller;
• receiving the data from the wireless communication interface;
• and
• analyzing the data to determine if one or more operational parameters is within a predetermined range.