Chelsea Smith, Pilot & A&P Mechanic, Partners with ArtCraft Paint
Chelsea Smith (@highmaintenance_chels) is joining the #ArtCraftFam as an A&P mechanic and ambassador.
ArtCraft Paint, a full-service airplane painting shop, is excited to sponsor Chelsea Smith. Chelsea is a commercial pilot and Airframe and Powerplant mechanic with Inspection Authorization. In addition to sponsoring the refurbishment of Chelsea’s Cessna 150F, ArtCraft is excited to bring Chelsea on as a consultant and Director of Maintenance.
Chelsea is originally from Kentucky and now considers the skies the place she feels most at home. A digital nomad, Chelsea travels around the United States and works wherever she lands.
In her role at ArtCraft, which will span from September to December 2023, Chelsea provides direction to the A&P team and works on airframe needs, such as inspections, electrical work, and general repairs.
“We met Chelsea in Oshkosh at the 2023 EAA AirVenture fly-in,” said Teresa Arredondo, President & CEO of ArtCraft Paint. “We really connected on our passion for the aviation industry and educating others about all that goes into painting a plane. She has hit the ground running in the shop, and we are so thankful to have her working alongside our talented team.”
Chelsea flew her Cessna 150F 1,200nm to the ArtCraft headquarters in Santa Maria, California. She said she was drawn in by our craftsmanship and ability to turn ordinary airplanes into flying works of art.
Chelsea joins Stevie Triesenberg, Carson Stilson, Erick O’Connor, and Kyle Fowler as part of the #ArtCraftFam. She will develop a variety of videos and social media content to educate others on the aircraft painting process, especially as it relates to maintenance and the importance of regular aircraft painting to prevent corrosion.
After earning an associate degree and becoming a certified mechanic in early 2018, Chelsea completed her flight training to become a private pilot in late 2018.
“I am really excited to not only have my airplane refurbished by the aviation painting industry gold standard—ArtCraft Paint—but to also be able to see it take shape and be here every step of the way,” Chelsea said. “I can’t wait for my 150F to get the much-needed TLC it deserves.”
Stay tuned for the big reveal of Chelsea’s painted Cessna 150F on Instagram and here on our blog.
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