diff --git a/libraries/RC_Channel/RC_Channel.cpp b/libraries/RC_Channel/RC_Channel.cpp
index af71a94546..ab20066013 100644
--- a/libraries/RC_Channel/RC_Channel.cpp
+++ b/libraries/RC_Channel/RC_Channel.cpp
@@ -326,6 +326,15 @@ bool RC_Channel::in_trim_dz() const
     return is_bounded_int32(radio_in, radio_trim - dead_zone, radio_trim + dead_zone);
 }
 
+
+/*
+   return trues if input is within deadzone of min
+*/
+bool RC_Channel::within_min_dz() const
+{
+    return radio_in < radio_min + dead_zone;
+}
+
 void RC_Channel::set_override(const uint16_t v, const uint32_t timestamp_ms)
 {
     if (!rc().gcs_overrides_enabled()) {
diff --git a/libraries/RC_Channel/RC_Channel.h b/libraries/RC_Channel/RC_Channel.h
index d70cf8f442..f48bd63f5c 100644
--- a/libraries/RC_Channel/RC_Channel.h
+++ b/libraries/RC_Channel/RC_Channel.h
@@ -52,6 +52,9 @@ public:
     // ignores trim and deadzone
     float       norm_input_ignore_trim() const;
 
+    // returns true if input is within deadzone of min
+    bool        within_min_dz() const;
+
     uint8_t     percent_input() const;
     int16_t     pwm_to_range() const;
     int16_t     pwm_to_range_dz(uint16_t dead_zone) const;