Definition
An electric motor that uses electronic switching, rather than mechanical brushes and a commutator, to control the current flowing through its windings. The rotor typically carries permanent magnets, and a controller energizes the stator coils in sequence to produce rotation.
Plain English
An electric motor that has no carbon brushes inside it. Instead of brushes feeding power to a spinning part, an electronic controller switches the power on and off in the right coils to keep the motor turning.
Context Anchor
Seen in aircraft electrical systems, small unmanned aircraft, electric actuators, cooling fans, and other equipment that uses electric motors.
Derivation
Named directly for what it lacks. Traditional DC motors use small carbon 'brushes' that press against a rotating contact to deliver current. A brushless motor removes those brushes and replaces their job with electronics.
Why Pilots Care
Higher efficiency and reliability reduce downtime and power loss in electric systems.
Intuition Check
Do not read “brushless” as meaning the motor has no moving parts. It means the motor has no sliding electrical brushes switching power inside it.
Example Sentence 1
The avionics cooling fan uses a brushless motor, so it runs quietly and rarely needs servicing.
Example Sentence 2
Mechanics installed a brushless motor in the flap actuator to avoid brush replacement during inspections.