An engine communication system for aircraft engines having a nacelle with two cowlings extending annularly about the aircraft engine and defining a radially outward surface thereof, and at least one sensor positioned radially inward from the nacelle. The system includes a cowling gap positioned between the two cowlings when coupled together, and an engine control device communicatively coupled to the sensor and configured to at least one of receive engine data from the sensor and receive instruction data from a transmitter device positioned radially outward from the cowling gap. The system also includes a linearly polarized antenna communicatively coupled to the engine control device and positioned radially inward from the cowling gap and extending radially outward toward the cowling gap. The antenna is configured to at least one of receive and transmit the engine data and the instruction data through the cowling gap.