In an unexpected yet inspiring turn, a former RAF pilot has soared to the semi-finals of the Miss England pageant. At 26, Maleha Khan is not only navigating the world of beauty competitions but also advancing as a Ph.D. researcher in rocket science at Cranfield University.

Maleha’s impressive academic background includes a Master’s degree in Spacecraft Engineering, and notably, she earned her pilot’s license before she even learned to drive a car. Currently residing in Southampton, she continues to work as a civilian pilot, a role through which she aims to inspire women to pursue careers in aviation and STEM fields without compromising their femininity.

Maleha is determined to challenge the stereotype that women in male-dominated industries, such as aviation and engineering, have to forgo their glamorous side. “Growing up, I believed that choosing a path in aviation and engineering meant sacrificing things like painting my nails or having long hair,” she shared. “I worried about fitting in with the male-dominated environment for a long time.”

Ms Khan, of Southampton, also works as a civilian pilot, saying she wants to inspire women in aviation and STEM fields to tell them they can still look glamorous in male-dominated industries.

She added: ‘When I was growing up, I thought choosing aviation and engineering meant that I would have to give up a lot of that, painting my nails and having long hair.

‘I thought I wouldn’t fit in with all the men and that was still a worry for a long time.

‘I want to break that stereotype that women can’t look beautiful and still be a professional and break those male-dominated fields.’

Ms Khan’s aviation career began aged 15 when she was awarded four prestigious flying scholarships from the Royal Air Force, the British Women Pilots Association and the Honourable Company of Air Pilots.

Maleha Khan (pictured), 26, will juggle the pageant alongside her work as a PHD researcher in rocket science at Cranfield University

She already has a Master’s degree in Spacecraft Engineering and got her pilot’s licence before being able to drive a car

Ms Khan, of Southampton, also works as a civilian pilot, saying she wants to inspire women in aviation and STEM fields

Since then, she has piloted five different aircraft and helicopters, and became a commander of an RAF University Air Squadron, leading 75 personnel during her training years – making history with the longest tenure in that role.

She has taught rocket science to some of the world’s brightest students, including the top one per cent of academically talented women in Saudi Arabia, where she also had the honour of meeting the nation’s first female astronaut.

Ms Khan’s work at the UK Space Agency saw her engage with NASA, the European Space Agency, UK Space Command, and British astronauts.

She said: ‘I first fell in love with flying while watching the Red Arrows perform at a D-Day celebration at 15.

‘I was dedicated to flight from then on. It became my dream. I wanted to be that person who could make that many people happy.

‘I am from a family of doctors and I was always supposed to do that but it just didn’t give me that butterfly feeling in my stomach.’

The rocket scientist explained it was after seeing the Red Arrows that she knew she wanted to become a pilot – and so she joined the air cadets aged 15 and ‘worked my way up there’.

Ms Khan added: ‘Through that I was able to get scholarships to get my licence. Flying is still my first love and main passion.

Ms Khan’s work at the UK Space Agency saw her engage with NASA, the European Space Agency, UK Space Command, and British astronauts

She said: ‘I first fell in love with flying while watching the Red Arrows perform at a D-Day celebration at 15’

‘My dream is still to be a commercial pilot and I have over 100 flight hours so I’m working my way to that too,’ she added

‘When I went to study Spacecraft Engineering, I joined the RAF University Air Squadron.

‘My dream is still to be a commercial pilot and I have over 100 flight hours so I’m working my way to that too.

‘I can fly single-engine aircraft anywhere in the world – so I’ve taken my friends and family to France and Amsterdam.

‘I’m a PhD researcher in rocket science – specifically hydrogen fuelled rockets for spacecraft. Green fuel for rockets is something the world needs.

‘My role at the UK Space Agency was as an external affairs officer, so managing relationships with the likes of NASA and the European Space Agency.

‘I wanted to do Miss England because with everything I’ve done so far, most people have told me it can’t be done.

‘People thought I was crazy for becoming a pilot and doing rocket science, but I proved people wrong.

‘I hope that one day in my future, I can combine flying and space in a career. That would be my dream.

She said she wanted to do Miss England because ‘most people’ had told her, alongside what she had done so far, that it wasn’t achievable

A Miss England spokesman said: ‘Maleha’s journey is nothing short of inspirational-blending beauty, brains, and bravery in equal measure’

The Miss England final takes place at Wolverhampton’s Grand Station on November 20 and 21

‘I want to show that curiosity and determination can take you anywhere – literally and figuratively.’

The Miss England final takes place at Wolverhampton’s Grand Station on November 20 and 21.

A Miss England spokesman said: ‘Maleha’s journey is nothing short of inspirational-blending beauty, brains, and bravery in equal measure.’