My Dad Inspired Me to Become Aviator, 19-Year-Old KQ Pilot Says

• Sameeha Khan knew she wanted to work in the airline industry at the tender age of six
• She drew her inspiration from her father, Mohammed, who is a flight purser at Kenya Airways (KQ)
• At 19, Sameeha has turned her dreams into reality as a pilot with the national airline

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Sameeha Khan is the 19-year-old daughter of Mohammed Khan, a flight attendant who has been with Kenya Airways (KQ) for 26 years.

Sameeha (l) was introduced to the airline industry by her father Mohammed (r). Photos: Kenya Airways. Source: Youtube

Her love for the airline industry started at six when her father took her to Bangkok on a Boeing 777.

The national airline shared a beautiful video in honour of Father's Day, christened "In Dad's Footsteps", celebrating how the pilot had inspired his daughter's career.

“When KQ launched the Boeing 777-300, I got the chance to go see them in the hangar, and it was an amazing experience,” she recalled.

Sameeha Khan's eureka moment

From that moment, Sameeha became interested in flying and would get excited whenever she saw her father in uniform.

Mohammed disclosed that his father didn’t manage to send him to pilot school, but he worked meticulously on his own to earn a flying license.

“When my daughter was young, she would make a galley in her room and share how he wanted to be cabin crew,” he revealed.

In one instance, a flight attendant allowed her to put on an apron and help with the service on board, an experience that sealed her love for flying.

With time, Sameeha moved from wanting to be a cabin crew to a pilot, a dream the youngster worked to achieve.

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Sameeha admits that having a father who worked in the industry offered her a prime opportunity to see how things worked.

“I’ve been in flight decks and on board with him and flown to different parts of the world, which inspired me and shaped me into the person I am today,” she narrated.

Akinyi Odongo discloses mum inspired her to be designer

In an earlier story, fashion designer Akinyi Odongo narrated that her motivation to pursue fashion and design originated from her mother.

While the mother focused on her tailoring work, Akinyi would make doll clothes on the sidelines as she admired her work.

She also noted she didn't have it easy in college as she was often kicked out of class several times over school fees.