diff --git a/libraries/SITL/SIM_Aircraft.cpp b/libraries/SITL/SIM_Aircraft.cpp
index 95d951ff83..2981990ff9 100644
--- a/libraries/SITL/SIM_Aircraft.cpp
+++ b/libraries/SITL/SIM_Aircraft.cpp
@@ -57,6 +57,8 @@ Aircraft::Aircraft(const char *home_str, const char *frame_str) :
     min_sleep_time(5000)
 #endif
 {
+    // make the SIM_* variables available to simulator backends
+    sitl = (SITL *)AP_Param::find_object("SIM_");
     parse_home(home_str, home, home_yaw);
     location = home;
     ground_level = home.alt*0.01;
diff --git a/libraries/SITL/SIM_Aircraft.h b/libraries/SITL/SIM_Aircraft.h
index ff4a05dfa7..84b7dedf05 100644
--- a/libraries/SITL/SIM_Aircraft.h
+++ b/libraries/SITL/SIM_Aircraft.h
@@ -98,6 +98,7 @@ public:
     }
     
 protected:
+    SITL *sitl;
     Location home;
     Location location;