diff --git a/test_suite/FGTestApi/testGlobals.cxx b/test_suite/FGTestApi/testGlobals.cxx
index 45462bc59..fb40df8ca 100644
--- a/test_suite/FGTestApi/testGlobals.cxx
+++ b/test_suite/FGTestApi/testGlobals.cxx
@@ -107,6 +107,33 @@ bool logPositionToKML(const std::string& testName)
     return true;
 }
     
+bool logLinestringsToKML(const std::string& testName)
+{
+    // clear any previous state
+    if (global_loggingToKML) {
+        global_kmlStream.close();
+        global_lineStringOpen = false;
+    }
+    
+    SGPath p = SGPath::desktop() / (testName + ".kml");
+    global_kmlStream.open(p);
+    if (!global_kmlStream.is_open()) {
+        SG_LOG(SG_GENERAL, SG_WARN, "unable to open:" << p);
+        return false;
+    }
+    
+    // pre-amble
+    global_kmlStream << "<?xml version=\"1.0\" encoding=\"UTF-8\"?>\n"
+        "<kml xmlns=\"http://www.opengis.net/kml/2.2\">\n"
+        "<Document>\n";
+    // need more precision for doubles when specifying lat/lon, see
+    // https://xkcd.com/2170/  :)
+    global_kmlStream.precision(12);
+    
+    global_loggingToKML = false;
+    return true;
+}
+
 void initStandardNasal(bool withCanvas)
 {
     fgInitAllowedPaths();
@@ -250,6 +277,16 @@ void setPosition(const SGGeod& g)
     globals->get_props()->setDoubleValue("position/longitude-deg", g.getLongitudeDeg());
     globals->get_props()->setDoubleValue("position/altitude-ft", g.getElevationFt());
 }
+
+const SGGeod getPosition()
+{
+    return SGGeod::fromDegFt(    
+    globals->get_props()->getDoubleValue("position/latitude-deg"),
+    globals->get_props()->getDoubleValue("position/longitude-deg"),
+    globals->get_props()->getDoubleValue("position/altitude-ft"));
+}
+    
+
     
 void setPositionAndStabilise(const SGGeod& g)
 {
diff --git a/test_suite/FGTestApi/testGlobals.hxx b/test_suite/FGTestApi/testGlobals.hxx
index 995753461..e48ac24e1 100644
--- a/test_suite/FGTestApi/testGlobals.hxx
+++ b/test_suite/FGTestApi/testGlobals.hxx
@@ -23,6 +23,8 @@ namespace setUp {
 void initTestGlobals(const std::string& testName);
 
 bool logPositionToKML(const std::string& testName);
+/**Don't log aircraft positions*/
+bool logLinestringsToKML(const std::string& testName);
     
 void initStandardNasal(bool withCanvas = false);
 
@@ -39,7 +41,8 @@ void populateFPWithNasal(flightgear::FlightPlanRef f,
 }  // End of namespace setUp.
 
 // helpers during tests
-    
+
+const SGGeod getPosition();    
 void setPosition(const SGGeod& g);
 void setPositionAndStabilise(const SGGeod& g);