I’m the world’s most glam fighter pilot & now I’m aiming for a different kind of runway…I want to be Miss Universe

A GLAMOROUS fighter pilot decided to swap the cockpit for a different kind of runway as she now wants to become Miss Universe.

Michelle Martin, who joined the Chilean Air force at 18, will now represent her homeland in the famous beauty pageant.

At 24 years old, Michelle has risen to the rank of Second Lieutenant.

But military career did not stop her from being one of the most glamorous fighter pilots out there.

Michelle often flaunts her beauty on and off duty - from a tight sleek bun look matched with her uniform, to summery snaps at the beach.

She was born in Venezuela and settled in Chile with her family more than five years ago.

Daughter of a Chilean father and a Venezuelan mother, Michelle will represent the city of Puerto Montt where she has been based for several years.

Talking about her decision to take part in Miss Universe, she said: “My decision to participate was enthusiastically welcomed by my family in Chile and Venezuela, as well as by my Air Force colleagues.”

“I really love military life. “The career is very nice and you grow integrally," she said in a previous interview.

Michelle is one of only a few candidates who aren’t involved in the entertainment industry.

This year, Miss Universe Chile representatives include Big Brother star, Francisca Maira and influencer, Bárbara Lackington, who appeared on MasterChef in 2019.

Trans model, Ariel Cordero, has also been announced as a candidate.

The final of Miss Universe 2024 will take place in Mexico City later this year on November 17.

An organisation spokesperson said: “We would like to present Michelle Martin who qualified for Miss Universe Chile 2024 by in-person casting.

“Soon you will be able to learn more about Michelle in our Miss Universe Chile app.”

Last week, it was confirmed that a 72-year-old grandmother is vying to become Miss Universe Argentina.

If successful, Estela Menéndez hopes to represent her country at the international event this year.

She was able to enter the pageant after the age limit was dropped for 2024.

Previously, candidates had to be aged between 18 and 28 years.

Filipino fashion designer Jocelyn Cubales said she is ready to walk the catwalk at 69 years old after she also entered Miss Universe.

Whilst some women might want to shun the spotlight, Jocelyn is happy appearing on stage and has entered numerous pageants before.

This includes the Ms Asia International Global and Mrs Mother of the Universe competition, both of which she won in 2014 and 2017 respectively.

When the Miss Universe organisation relaxed these rules last year, Jocelyn knew she wanted to enter the pageant.

Even press attention and the younger competitors don’t seem to faze this 69-year-old, with her taking part in a regional leg of the Miss Universe pageant in Quezon City last month.

The fashion design is no stranger to barring all though, regularly wear stomach barring outfit for pageants and modelling gigs.

Even when she is off duty, the 69-year-old is still wearing denim hot pants and high heels – proving that age really is just a number.