An aircraft comprising an onboard wireless communication network, the network comprising: an access point disposed on the aircraft ; at least one repeater station disposed spaced apart from the access point and capable of wireless communication with the access point ; and at least one remote sensor configured to wirelessly transmit sensor data, for delivery to the access point , to the at least one repeater station over a first wireless communication link, the at least one remote sensor monitoring at least one remote component of the aircraft and generating the sensor data based on data indicative of an operational parameter or a status of the at least one remote component, wherein the first wireless communication link comprises a short range communication link, wherein the at least one repeater station is configured to translate the sensor data for communication via a second wireless communication link that employs a different communication protocol different than the first wireless communication link, and to pass the sensor data to the access point via said second wireless communication link, wherein the access point is configured to communicate at least some of the sensor data to respective ones of equipment on the ground, and a different aircraft in real time via a third wireless communication link having a longer range than the first and second wireless communication links while both the aircraft and the different aircraft are in-flight, and wherein the access point is also configured to communicate with customer premises equipment, CPE, of passengers, either directly or via the repeater station, enabling communication of passengers with the ground. an access point disposed on the aircraft ; at least one repeater station disposed spaced apart from the access point and capable of wireless communication with the access point ; and at least one remote sensor configured to wirelessly transmit sensor data, for delivery to the access point , to the at least one repeater station over a first wireless communication link, the at least one remote sensor monitoring at least one remote component of the aircraft and generating the sensor data based on data indicative of an operational parameter or a status of the at least one remote component, wherein the first wireless communication link comprises a short range communication link, wherein the at least one repeater station is configured to translate the sensor data for communication via a second wireless communication link that employs a different communication protocol different than the first wireless communication link, and to pass the sensor data to the access point via said second wireless communication link, wherein the access point is configured to communicate at least some of the sensor data to respective ones of equipment on the ground, and a different aircraft in real time via a third wireless communication link having a longer range than the first and second wireless communication links while both the aircraft and the different aircraft are in-flight, and wherein the access point is also configured to communicate with customer premises equipment, CPE, of passengers, either directly or via the repeater station, enabling communication of passengers with the ground. <EOS>