diff --git a/ArduPlane/GCS_Mavlink.cpp b/ArduPlane/GCS_Mavlink.cpp
index f9de2f5cc5..beb1b5925e 100644
--- a/ArduPlane/GCS_Mavlink.cpp
+++ b/ArduPlane/GCS_Mavlink.cpp
@@ -153,30 +153,15 @@ void Plane::send_fence_status(mavlink_channel_t chan)
 #endif
 
 
-void Plane::send_sys_status(mavlink_channel_t chan)
+void GCS_MAVLINK_Plane::get_sensor_status_flags(uint32_t &present,
+                                                uint32_t &enabled,
+                                                uint32_t &health)
 {
-    int16_t battery_current = -1;
-    int8_t battery_remaining = -1;
+    plane.update_sensor_status_flags();
 
-    if (battery.has_current() && battery.healthy()) {
-        battery_remaining = battery.capacity_remaining_pct();
-        battery_current = battery.current_amps() * 100;
-    }
-
-    update_sensor_status_flags();
-    
-    mavlink_msg_sys_status_send(
-        chan,
-        control_sensors_present,
-        control_sensors_enabled,
-        control_sensors_health,
-        (uint16_t)(scheduler.load_average() * 1000),
-        battery.voltage() * 1000, // mV
-        battery_current,        // in 10mA units
-        battery_remaining,      // in %
-        0, // comm drops %,
-        0, // comm drops in pkts,
-        0, 0, 0, 0);
+    present = plane.control_sensors_present;
+    enabled = plane.control_sensors_enabled;
+    health = plane.control_sensors_health;
 }
 
 void Plane::send_nav_controller_output(mavlink_channel_t chan)
@@ -435,11 +420,6 @@ bool GCS_MAVLINK_Plane::try_send_message(enum ap_message id)
 
     switch (id) {
 
-    case MSG_SYS_STATUS:
-        CHECK_PAYLOAD_SIZE(SYS_STATUS);
-        plane.send_sys_status(chan);
-        break;
-
     case MSG_NAV_CONTROLLER_OUTPUT:
         if (plane.control_mode != MANUAL) {
             CHECK_PAYLOAD_SIZE(NAV_CONTROLLER_OUTPUT);
diff --git a/ArduPlane/GCS_Mavlink.h b/ArduPlane/GCS_Mavlink.h
index 58170e4d0c..c92bcbd92d 100644
--- a/ArduPlane/GCS_Mavlink.h
+++ b/ArduPlane/GCS_Mavlink.h
@@ -49,6 +49,7 @@ private:
     MAV_MODE base_mode() const override;
     uint32_t custom_mode() const override;
     MAV_STATE system_status() const override;
+    void get_sensor_status_flags(uint32_t &present, uint32_t &enabled, uint32_t &health);
 
     uint8_t radio_in_rssi() const;
 
diff --git a/ArduPlane/Plane.h b/ArduPlane/Plane.h
index 661e422ad2..26fa5f169a 100644
--- a/ArduPlane/Plane.h
+++ b/ArduPlane/Plane.h
@@ -799,7 +799,6 @@ private:
     void update_load_factor(void);
     void send_fence_status(mavlink_channel_t chan);
     void update_sensor_status_flags(void);
-    void send_sys_status(mavlink_channel_t chan);
     void send_nav_controller_output(mavlink_channel_t chan);
     void send_servo_out(mavlink_channel_t chan);
     void send_wind(mavlink_channel_t chan);