diff --git a/libraries/RC_Channel/RC_Channel.h b/libraries/RC_Channel/RC_Channel.h
index 15189b8bbe2..45fd7d7948a 100644
--- a/libraries/RC_Channel/RC_Channel.h
+++ b/libraries/RC_Channel/RC_Channel.h
@@ -347,6 +347,13 @@ public:
         return _override_timeout.get() * 1e3f;
     }
 
+    /*
+      get the RC input PWM value given a channel number.  Note that
+      channel numbers start at 1, as this API is designed for use in
+      LUA
+    */
+    bool get_pwm(uint8_t channel, uint16_t &pwm) const;
+
 protected:
 
     enum class Option {
diff --git a/libraries/RC_Channel/RC_Channels.cpp b/libraries/RC_Channel/RC_Channels.cpp
index 2bbc210977d..97f9b83d38c 100644
--- a/libraries/RC_Channel/RC_Channels.cpp
+++ b/libraries/RC_Channel/RC_Channels.cpp
@@ -201,6 +201,25 @@ void RC_Channels::read_mode_switch()
     c->read_mode_switch();
 }
 
+/*
+  get the RC input PWM value given a channel number.  Note that
+  channel numbers start at 1, as this API is designed for use in
+  LUA
+*/
+bool RC_Channels::get_pwm(uint8_t c, uint16_t &pwm) const
+{
+    if (c < 1 || c > NUM_RC_CHANNELS) {
+        return false;
+    }
+    RC_Channel *chan = rc_channel(c-1);
+    int16_t pwm_signed = chan->get_radio_in();
+    if (pwm_signed < 0) {
+        return false;
+    }
+    pwm = (uint16_t)pwm_signed;
+    return true;
+}
+
 
 // singleton instance
 RC_Channels *RC_Channels::_singleton;