US Patent 7436322 Flight recorder system with remote wireless access

A flight recorder system with remote wireless access, for use aboard an aircraft, includes at least one microphone for monitoring sounds within a cockpit of the aircraft and producing digital audio data. The digital audio data is indexed relative to aircraft position and time and is stored. A download command is initiated and prompts stored data to be read and transmitted to a ground-based facility for evaluation. A video camera may be provided for acquiring and recording images within the cockpit.