A method of responding to faults associated with a distributed control module, characterized in that the method comprises: determining a fault state associated with a control loop using a built-in test module, the built-in test module incorporated into a distributed control module, and the fault state comprising no faults, a communication fault, a sensor operation fault, or a critical fault; transmitting an augmented control command from the distributed control module to the controllable component when the fault state comprises a communication fault or a sensor operation fault, the augmented control command comprising: an open-loop control command when the fault state includes a sensor operation fault; and/or a closed loop control command selected from a group of closed loop control commands consisting of: a closed loop control command utilizing a previous control command from a main processing unit and/or a previous command reference from the main processing unit when the communication fault includes a temporary communication fault; a closed loop control command utilizing a backup sensor channel when the communication fault includes a local sensor fault; and a closed loop control command utilizing a pre-set command reference when the communication fault includes a main processing unit communication fault. determining a fault state associated with a control loop using a built-in test module, the built-in test module incorporated into a distributed control module, and the fault state comprising no faults, a communication fault, a sensor operation fault, or a critical fault; transmitting an augmented control command from the distributed control module to the controllable component when the fault state comprises a communication fault or a sensor operation fault, the augmented control command comprising: an open-loop control command when the fault state includes a sensor operation fault; and/or a closed loop control command selected from a group of closed loop control commands consisting of: a closed loop control command utilizing a previous control command from a main processing unit and/or a previous command reference from the main processing unit when the communication fault includes a temporary communication fault; a closed loop control command utilizing a backup sensor channel when the communication fault includes a local sensor fault; and a closed loop control command utilizing a pre-set command reference when the communication fault includes a main processing unit communication fault. an open-loop control command when the fault state includes a sensor operation fault; and/or a closed loop control command selected from a group of closed loop control commands consisting of: a closed loop control command utilizing a previous control command from a main processing unit and/or a previous command reference from the main processing unit when the communication fault includes a temporary communication fault; a closed loop control command utilizing a backup sensor channel when the communication fault includes a local sensor fault; and a closed loop control command utilizing a pre-set command reference when the communication fault includes a main processing unit communication fault. a closed loop control command utilizing a previous control command from a main processing unit and/or a previous command reference from the main processing unit when the communication fault includes a temporary communication fault; a closed loop control command utilizing a backup sensor channel when the communication fault includes a local sensor fault; and a closed loop control command utilizing a pre-set command reference when the communication fault includes a main processing unit communication fault.