Maleha Khan isn’t your typical Miss England contestant.
At 26, she’s a former RAF pilot, a civilian aviator, and a PhD researcher in rocket science.
And now, she’s juggling all of that while reaching the semi-finals of the Miss England pageant.
For her, it’s never been about choosing between brains and beauty—it’s about proving you can have both.
A Childhood Spark Ignites a Career
Khan’s fascination with flight began at 15, the moment she watched the Red Arrows perform during a D-Day celebration.
“I was hooked from the first loop and barrel roll,” she recalls.
Born into a family of doctors, she says medicine never gave her the thrill she wanted.
Instead, aviation called, and she dove in headfirst—joining the air cadets and chasing scholarships that would set her on a historic path in the RAF.
Breaking Records and Barriers
Through the RAF, Khan became commander of a University Air Squadron, leading 75 personnel—the longest tenure anyone has held in that role.
She’s piloted five different aircraft, including helicopters, and holds over 100 flight hours, flying single-engine planes across Europe.
Alongside flying, she has taught rocket science to top-tier students in Saudi Arabia, even meeting the country’s first female astronaut.
Her journey is a mix of leadership, skill, and sheer determination.
STEM and Style Can Coexist
While she’s pushing boundaries in aviation and space engineering, Khan is also challenging stereotypes about women in male-dominated fields.
“When I was growing up, I thought choosing aviation and engineering meant I’d have to give up painting my nails or keeping my hair long,” she says.
“I want to break the stereotype that women can’t look beautiful and still be professional.”
Her Miss England bid is part of that mission, a visible statement that curiosity, intellect, and glamour aren’t mutually exclusive.
Rocket Science and Green Fuel Innovation
Khan’s academic achievements are just as impressive as her flying career.
She holds a Master’s in Spacecraft Engineering and is pursuing a PhD focusing on hydrogen-fueled rockets—a promising step toward greener space travel.
She’s also worked at the UK Space Agency, liaising with NASA, the European Space Agency, and UK Space Command, blending her scientific expertise with international collaboration.
Juggling Passions and Ambitions
Even with a demanding research schedule, Khan finds time to fly friends and family across Europe, proving that her love for aviation remains undiminished.
Her dream is to eventually merge her passions for space and flight into a single career path, showing that ambition knows no boundaries.
“People thought I was crazy for becoming a pilot and doing rocket science, but I’ve proven them wrong,” she says.
“Curiosity and determination can take you anywhere—literally and figuratively.”
Heading Toward the Finals
The Miss England final takes place at Wolverhampton’s Grand Station on November 20 and 21, and Khan is ready to bring her blend of brains, bravery, and beauty to the stage.
A Miss England spokesperson described her journey as “nothing short of inspirational, blending beauty, brains, and bravery in equal measure.”
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