diff --git a/Tools/autotest/arducopter.py b/Tools/autotest/arducopter.py
index 109065bd78..36eaad4dc7 100644
--- a/Tools/autotest/arducopter.py
+++ b/Tools/autotest/arducopter.py
@@ -2238,6 +2238,7 @@ class AutoTestCopter(AutoTest):
         self.change_mode('AUTO')
         self.set_rc(3, 1600)
         self.mavproxy.expect('BANG')
+        self.disarm_vehicle(force=True)
         self.reboot_sitl()
 
         self.progress("Test triggering with mavlink message")
@@ -2251,6 +2252,7 @@ class AutoTestCopter(AutoTest):
                      0,
                      0)
         self.mavproxy.expect('BANG')
+        self.disarm_vehicle(force=True)
         self.reboot_sitl()
 
         self.progress("Testing three-position switch")
@@ -2261,6 +2263,7 @@ class AutoTestCopter(AutoTest):
         self.set_rc(9, 2000)
         self.mavproxy.expect('BANG')
         self.set_rc(9, 1000)
+        self.disarm_vehicle(force=True)
         self.reboot_sitl()
 
         self.context_push()
@@ -2271,6 +2274,7 @@ class AutoTestCopter(AutoTest):
         self.set_parameter("SIM_ENGINE_FAIL", 1)
         self.mavproxy.expect('BANG')
         self.set_rc(9, 1000)
+        self.disarm_vehicle(force=True)
         self.reboot_sitl()
         self.context_pop()
 
@@ -2290,6 +2294,7 @@ class AutoTestCopter(AutoTest):
                 self.reboot_sitl()
                 raise NotAchievedException("Parachute deployed when disabled")
         self.set_rc(9, 1000)
+        self.disarm_vehicle(force=True)
         self.reboot_sitl()
 
     def fly_precision_sitl(self):