diff --git a/simgear/structure/subsystem_mgr.hxx b/simgear/structure/subsystem_mgr.hxx
index 7a07f21c..1142e366 100644
--- a/simgear/structure/subsystem_mgr.hxx
+++ b/simgear/structure/subsystem_mgr.hxx
@@ -330,6 +330,11 @@ public:
 	 */
     string_list member_names() const;
 
+    template<class T>
+    T* get_subsystem()
+    {
+        return dynamic_cast<T*>(get_subsystem(T::subsystemName()));
+    }
 private:
 
     class Member;