diff --git a/libraries/AP_IMU/AP_IMU_INS.cpp b/libraries/AP_IMU/AP_IMU_INS.cpp
index bb24f36248..fca618f13a 100644
--- a/libraries/AP_IMU/AP_IMU_INS.cpp
+++ b/libraries/AP_IMU/AP_IMU_INS.cpp
@@ -235,3 +235,7 @@ AP_IMU_INS::update(void)
 	// always updated
 	return true;
 }
+
+bool AP_IMU_INS::new_data_available(void) {
+    return _ins->new_data_available();
+}
diff --git a/libraries/AP_IMU/AP_IMU_INS.h b/libraries/AP_IMU/AP_IMU_INS.h
index 6e5311ab7b..54a0b54c80 100644
--- a/libraries/AP_IMU/AP_IMU_INS.h
+++ b/libraries/AP_IMU/AP_IMU_INS.h
@@ -51,6 +51,7 @@ public:
 	virtual void		init_gyro(void (*delay_cb)(unsigned long t) = delay,
                                   void (*flash_leds_cb)(bool on) = NULL);
 	virtual bool		update(void);
+	virtual bool		new_data_available(void);
 
 	// for jason
 	virtual float		gx()				{ return _sensor_cal[0]; }
diff --git a/libraries/AP_IMU/AP_IMU_Shim.h b/libraries/AP_IMU/AP_IMU_Shim.h
index 02aa86ee29..c9c1ce22b8 100644
--- a/libraries/AP_IMU/AP_IMU_Shim.h
+++ b/libraries/AP_IMU/AP_IMU_Shim.h
@@ -36,6 +36,8 @@ public:
 		return updated;
 	}
 	//@}
+
+	virtual bool new_data_available(void) { return true; }
 	
 	float		gx()				{ return 0; }
 	float		gy()				{ return 0; }
diff --git a/libraries/AP_IMU/IMU.cpp b/libraries/AP_IMU/IMU.cpp
index 913020235b..2fabe704b8 100644
--- a/libraries/AP_IMU/IMU.cpp
+++ b/libraries/AP_IMU/IMU.cpp
@@ -30,6 +30,7 @@ void IMU::init_gyro(void (*delay_cb)(unsigned long t), void (*flash_leds_cb)(boo
 { }
 
 bool IMU::update(void) { return false; }
+bool IMU::new_data_available(void) { return true; }
 
 float	IMU::gx(void) { return 0.0; }
 float	IMU::gy(void) { return 0.0; }
diff --git a/libraries/AP_IMU/IMU.h b/libraries/AP_IMU/IMU.h
index 8691e2663b..da259e5370 100644
--- a/libraries/AP_IMU/IMU.h
+++ b/libraries/AP_IMU/IMU.h
@@ -62,6 +62,9 @@ public:
 	///
 	virtual bool	update(void);
 
+	// true if new data is available from the sensors
+	virtual bool new_data_available(void);
+
 	/// Fetch the current gyro values
 	///
 	/// @returns	vector of rotational rates in radians/sec