Patent ID: 7636568

Claim:
An aircraft wireless data communication system comprising: an aircraft having a plurality of aircraft systems; each of said aircraft systems having a system actual configuration identity; each said system actual configuration identity being transferable as a system actual configuration identity file; a computer and server being adaptable to electronically communicate with each of said plurality of aircraft systems; an aircraft data load system carried on said aircraft for determining when a condition exists during which modifications may be made to a selected one or more of said aircraft systems; each said system actual configuration identity file being combinable in said computer and server to form an aircraft actual configuration identity; said aircraft actual configuration identity being transferable as an aircraft actual configuration identity file; and said computer and server being in wireless communication with at least one ground-based network of computers, and further being in communication with said aircraft data load system; wherein any one of said ground-based network of computers is operable to one of: receive a real-time status of each of said aircraft systems; and send a data set to said computer and server; wherein said data set includes an authorized aircraft configuration identity transferable as an authorized aircraft configuration identity file; wherein said computer and server further comprises a configuration management subsystem, said configuration management subsystem being in communication with said aircraft systems and adaptable to retrievably obtain and report said actual aircraft configuration identity file; wherein said configuration management subsystem is adaptable to receive said authorized aircraft configuration identity file from said ground-based network of computers along one of a wireless signal path and a direct signal path; and the system further comprising an aircraft data load system wherein a difference determinable by said configuration management subsystem between said authorized aircraft configuration identity file and said actual aircraft configuration identity file is reportable to said aircraft data load system and to said ground-based network of computers.