At 33, Max Comer never expected to become a social media phenomenon. Yet with over 1.2 million Instagram followers and nearly half a million on TikTok, the Oklahoma-based aircraft mechanic has found viral success by mixing aviation knowledge, deadpan humor, and “Lord of the Rings” lore into something unexpectedly healing — both for his audience and for himself.
Known online as “Airplane Facts with Max,” Comer began posting short, quirky videos explaining aircraft components like cargo doors, engine blades, and even misunderstood elements like “duct tape” (actually speed tape). Sometimes, these explanations include epic detours into Tolkien mythology — like comparing a titanium fan blade to Andúril, the reforged sword of Aragorn.
What started as a creative outlet during the darkest chapter of his life — grieving the sudden loss of his wife, Jones, in 2022 — became a bridge between education, healing, and humor.
“Tolkien has always been a comfort story for me,” says Comer, who poured himself into aviation and Middle-earth lore to cope with loss. Eventually, his monotone yet oddly comforting videos began helping others, too — easing their fear of flying or inspiring them to pursue careers in aviation.
Now a full-time heavy maintenance technician working on Boeing aircraft, Comer uses his growing platform to spotlight the work of aircraft mechanics, encourage curiosity, and bring levity to a field known more for precision than personality.
“Someone’s got to do the dirty work,” he says. “And if I can help people feel less scared to fly, or even smile for a minute — that’s worth it.”
