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 . <EOS>