diff --git a/ArduCopter/Copter.h b/ArduCopter/Copter.h
index 937e567b30..fe6e6a541a 100644
--- a/ArduCopter/Copter.h
+++ b/ArduCopter/Copter.h
@@ -424,6 +424,11 @@ private:
     AP_Frsky_Telem frsky_telemetry;
 #endif
 
+    // Variables for extended status MAVLink messages
+    uint32_t control_sensors_present;
+    uint32_t control_sensors_enabled;
+    uint32_t control_sensors_health;
+
     // Altitude
     // The cm/s we are moving up or down based on filtered data - Positive = UP
     int16_t climb_rate;
diff --git a/ArduCopter/GCS_Mavlink.cpp b/ArduCopter/GCS_Mavlink.cpp
index efcecf9ae7..345cd8ee1e 100644
--- a/ArduCopter/GCS_Mavlink.cpp
+++ b/ArduCopter/GCS_Mavlink.cpp
@@ -130,10 +130,6 @@ NOINLINE void Copter::send_limits_status(mavlink_channel_t chan)
 
 NOINLINE void Copter::send_extended_status1(mavlink_channel_t chan)
 {
-    uint32_t control_sensors_present;
-    uint32_t control_sensors_enabled;
-    uint32_t control_sensors_health;
-
     // default sensors present
     control_sensors_present = MAVLINK_SENSOR_PRESENT_DEFAULT;