diff --git a/libraries/AP_TECS/AP_TECS.h b/libraries/AP_TECS/AP_TECS.h
index 4d73291f0f..b286761014 100644
--- a/libraries/AP_TECS/AP_TECS.h
+++ b/libraries/AP_TECS/AP_TECS.h
@@ -69,6 +69,9 @@ public:
 	// return current target airspeed
 	float get_target_airspeed(void) const { return _TAS_dem / _ahrs.get_EAS2TAS(); }
 
+	// return maximum climb rate
+	float get_max_climbrate(void) const { return _maxClimbRate; }
+
 	// this supports the TECS_* user settable parameters
     static const struct AP_Param::GroupInfo var_info[];