Techniques are disclosed for systems and methods to provide accurate positioning for a hydraulic steering system without a need for a steering reference transducer. A hydraulic steering system may include a logic device in communication with an autopilot pump controller. Control and sensor signals provided by the pump controller are used to determine a linear or uncompensated steering actuator speed and an estimate of the hydraulic elasticity of the steering system, which can be modeled as an estimate of the air volume trapped within the steering system. The hydraulic elasticity/air volume estimate is used to determine a corrected or compensated steering actuator speed, and the corrected steering actuator speed is used to accurately control the steering system.