An autopilot nonlinear compensation method includes providing an autopilot command for executing an aircraft maneuver, determining a desired aerodynamic moment of the aircraft based on the autopilot command, providing a measured pilot interface position, determining a total aerodynamic moment of the aircraft based on the measured pilot interface position and the autopilot command in combination with the desired aerodynamic moment, determining a ratio of the desired aerodynamic moment to the total aerodynamic moment, and adjusting the autopilot command with a corrective command based on the ratio. The method may be used to stabilize autopilot control of an aircraft following nonlinear deployment of a control surface.