One Little Character. One Big Dream. How Brookie Inspired Children to Believe in Themselves
- 20 hours ago
- 5 min read
What began as a simple marketing character evolved into something far greater. Through Brookie’s Aviation Adventures, Brookfield Aviation helped over a thousand children discover creativity, confidence, and the possibilities that aviation can offer, proving that sometimes a single character can inspire a child to see their future in a completely new way.
"Sometimes all it takes is one character to change the way a child sees themselves."
Published: 7 August 2026
Written by: Todd Skaggs
Brookie began life as a marketing character. Created by Brookfield Aviation to help tell the company's story, the cheerful little captain quickly became recognisable wherever Brookfield appeared. Nobody imagined that a smiling aeroplane would one day encourage children across the United Kingdom to write stories, discover aviation, and perhaps even change the way they viewed their own future.
That simple idea became Brookie’s Aviation Adventures, a national writing competition inviting children aged nine to eleven to create stories, poems, and adventures featuring Brookie. There were no boundaries to their imagination. Brookie could travel anywhere in the world, meet extraordinary characters, and overcome impossible challenges. What mattered was creativity, curiosity, and having the confidence to put ideas onto paper.
The response was remarkable. Schools from England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland embraced the competition, with teachers describing how pupils who would normally be reluctant writers suddenly became eager to take part because they were writing about something exciting. For many, aviation became the spark that unlocked their imagination.
One family summed it up perfectly. Leo had always found creative writing difficult, yet he could happily spend hours talking about aircraft, airports, and flying.
"He has always found writing difficult, but his knowledge of aeroplanes and aviation is remarkable," his mother explained. "This competition gave him something he was genuinely excited to write about, and for the first time we saw him enjoy writing. We couldn't believe the difference."
For the three national winners, Leo, Luca, and Daisy, the competition led to an unforgettable day at London Oxford Airport, where Brookfield Aviation, Oxford Airport, and LS Airmotive opened the doors to an industry that is normally hidden from public view. They explored the airport fire station, climbed into specialist emergency vehicles, visited Air Traffic Control, met aviation professionals, experienced a flight simulator, and learned first-hand about the teamwork required to keep an airport operating safely.
Each child found something different to enjoy. Luca's enthusiasm for aviation was obvious from the moment he arrived. He wanted to know how everything worked, asking questions throughout the day and throwing himself into every activity. The flight simulator quickly became one of his favourite experiences, giving him a chance to experience the challenges of flying before stepping into a real aircraft.
The highlight for all three winners, however, came when they climbed aboard a light aircraft alongside qualified instructors. Every child was given the opportunity to take the controls in flight, transforming what could have been a simple sightseeing experience into something they would remember for the rest of their lives.
For Daisy, that moment changed the way she thought about aviation.
"Wow, what a day," she said afterwards. "From the moment we arrived at the fire station to climbing into that light aircraft, it was completely unforgettable. I was nervous at first, but once we were up there everything became calm and beautiful. The instructor gave me the chance to take the controls, and I never thought I'd get an opportunity like that. I came away thinking, ‘I've flown an aircraft.’ It really has made me wonder if I might want to be a pilot one day."
For Daisy's mother, Jen, the experience carried an even deeper meaning. Having survived a light aircraft accident in 2008, she never imagined she would willingly watch her daughter climb into a small aircraft.
"I couldn't let my fears take away the opportunity for Daisy," she said. "The whole team made us feel completely welcome, and the instructor was exceptional. Seeing our eleven-year-old sitting there, calm and capable, taking the controls was just incredible. We came away buzzing, excited, and so grateful. Who knows? We may have an aviation career ahead of us in our family."
Leo left equally inspired. Afterwards, he wrote Brookfield a handwritten letter that now holds a special place in our office.
"I had the best day ever exploring the airport and learning stuff. I loved the whole experience of flying... When I am older, I hope to become a pilot one day. Thank you for one of my best memories."
Reading those words reminds us why Brookie’s Aviation Adventures exists. The competition was never simply about finding talented young writers. It was about helping children discover confidence through creativity and showing them that aviation is full of opportunities they may never have considered. Every pilot, engineer, air traffic controller, and aircraft technician began somewhere, and for some children that journey may start not in the cockpit, but with a blank sheet of paper, a little imagination, and one friendly character called Brookie.
The journey does not end here. In September 2026, the first Brookie’s Aviation Adventures digital book will be published, featuring a selection of stories written by the competition’s young authors. For many of the children, it will be the first time they have seen their own work published, a lasting reminder that one story, one idea, and a little imagination can take you further than you ever expected.
Brookie's Aviation Adventures 2026 Winners
National Winners - Aviation Experience Prize
Luca | New City Primary School |
Leo | Pakefield Primary School |
Daisy | Kidgate Academy |
Published Authors - £20 National Book Token
Fynn | St Joseph's College, Reading |
Jesse | Hempnall Primary School |
Shilhan | New City Primary School |
Hayden | Woodseats Primary School |
Sophie | Sutton Courtenay CofE Primary School |
Millie | Wargrave House School |
Margad | The Good Shepherd Catholic Primary School |
Marian | The Good Shepherd Catholic Primary School |
James | Chevening (St Botolph's) CE (Voluntary Aided) Primary School |
Jay | Bowdon Church School |
Agamjot | Havelock Primary School |
Key Facts
Brookie’s Aviation Adventures invited children aged 9 to 11 from across the United Kingdom to create original stories, poems, and adventures
More than 1,000 entries were received from schools across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland
National winners Luca, Leo, and Daisy received a full aviation experience at London Oxford Airport
The winners visited the airport fire station, Air Traffic Control, aircraft maintenance facilities, and professional flight simulators
All three children flew in a light aircraft and were given the opportunity to take the controls
Leo’s family said the competition helped him enjoy writing by connecting it with his passion for aviation
Daisy said the experience made her consider becoming a pilot in the future
Published authors also received a £20 National Book Token prize
The competition aims to build confidence, creativity, and awareness of aviation careers among young people
Planning is underway for Brookie’s Aviation Adventures 2027
The first Brookie’s Aviation Adventures digital book will be published in September 2026, featuring a selection of stories written by the competition’s young authors
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Author: Todd Skaggs Aviation staffing and consultancy insights LinkedIn
