diff --git a/libraries/SITL/SITL.cpp b/libraries/SITL/SITL.cpp
index 51c0878ee4..8264ef95e1 100644
--- a/libraries/SITL/SITL.cpp
+++ b/libraries/SITL/SITL.cpp
@@ -28,6 +28,8 @@ extern const AP_HAL::HAL& hal;
 
 namespace SITL {
 
+SITL *SITL::_s_instance = nullptr;
+
 // table of user settable parameters
 const AP_Param::GroupInfo SITL::var_info[] = {
     AP_GROUPINFO("BARO_RND",   0, SITL,  baro_noise,  0.2f),
@@ -220,3 +222,13 @@ Vector3f SITL::convert_earth_frame(const Matrix3f &dcm, const Vector3f &gyro)
 }
 
 } // namespace SITL
+
+
+namespace AP {
+
+SITL::SITL *sitl()
+{
+    return SITL::SITL::get_instance();
+}
+
+};
diff --git a/libraries/SITL/SITL.h b/libraries/SITL/SITL.h
index 2e0229c063..54a610905c 100644
--- a/libraries/SITL/SITL.h
+++ b/libraries/SITL/SITL.h
@@ -41,8 +41,19 @@ public:
         mag_ofs.set(Vector3f(5, 13, -18));
         AP_Param::setup_object_defaults(this, var_info);
         AP_Param::setup_object_defaults(this, var_info2);
+        if (_s_instance != nullptr) {
+            AP_HAL::panic("Too many SITL instances");
+        }
+        _s_instance = this;
     }
 
+    /* Do not allow copies */
+    SITL(const SITL &other) = delete;
+    SITL &operator=(const SITL&) = delete;
+
+    static SITL *_s_instance;
+    static SITL *get_instance() { return _s_instance; }
+
     enum GPSType {
         GPS_TYPE_NONE  = 0,
         GPS_TYPE_UBLOX = 1,
@@ -193,3 +204,8 @@ public:
 };
 
 } // namespace SITL
+
+
+namespace AP {
+    SITL::SITL *sitl();
+};