A method and apparatus for controlling flight control surfaces on an aircraft. Commands are sent onto a data bus system (208) from flight control modules (212). The flight control modules (212) and actuator control modules (210) determine whether an error is present in the commands sent onto the data bus system (208). Point-to-point connections between the flight control modules (214) and the actuator control modules (210) are managed based on whether the error is present in the commands sent onto the data bus system (208).