A method for braking a motor in a high lift system of an aircraft, the high lift system comprising a central power drive unit for moving high lift surfaces arranged at a wing through providing rotational power by means of a transmission shaft to a plurality of drive stations operably coupled with the high lift surfaces; which power drive unit is operatively coupled to a controller and comprises at least one electric motor coupled therewith. The method includes determining a braking requirement for the at least one electric motor, measuring at least one of a current command to the motor and a current speed and direction of the at least one electric motor, based on the braking requirement, applying a braking command to the at least one electric motor, and reducing the braking command as the at least one electric motor comes to rest.