EP 5 – From the Hangar Floor to 1.4M Followers: A Deep Conversation with Max Comer

We open this week with a brief discussion on the recent fatal crash at LaGuardia, reflecting on the realities of risk in aviation and the perspective that comes with experience.

From there, we shift gears into one of our most compelling conversations yet—an in-depth interview with A&P mechanic and social media powerhouse Max Comer.

What starts as a conversation about turning wrenches quickly expands into something much bigger.

We cover the growing mechanic shortage and why it matters, what a career in aircraft maintenance really looks like, and the often-misunderstood relationship between pilots and line mechanics. Max gives us a look inside heavy maintenance, the realities of the job, and how the next generation can find their way into the industry.

But this episode goes well beyond aviation.

We talk about everything from Lord of the Rings to music, to building a massive online following—and then into something far more personal. Max reflects about personal tragedy and loss, raising two kids as a single parent, and how creating content became a lifeline during the most difficult chapter of his life.

It’s raw, honest, and unexpectedly powerful.

We close the episode with one of Max’s original tracks "Reason".

This week we’re all over the place—in a good way. Bob’s fresh off a trip to Uzbekistan, which turns into a conversation about some of our old Russia flying days.

We get into what’s happening behind the scenes on the next Cockpit Casual, and tell a story about shutting down an engine in a 757 on the way into Guam.

Then we’re joined by Scottie Bateman—BA captain, filmmaker, and now author—to talk about his new book Jumbo and his path through aviation and media.

Find Scottie's latest book on Amazon UK (from anywhere) and check out the Video Pod on YouTube with some gross footage of Bob and Steve diving into some Balut in the Philippines (ya had to be there)...

Steve and Bob kick off the episode with an update on the rapidly evolving situation with Iran.

From there, they catch up on a particularly busy week at Nomadic Aviation Group, moving airplanes around the world and navigating the usual mix of logistics, maintenance quirks, and last-minute surprises that come with ferry flying.

In this week’s Side Schtick, the conversation takes a lighter turn as Steve and Bob debate the best—and worst—airport lounges they’ve encountered across decades of global travel.

Then the show shifts into a unique “On Aircraft” interview recorded from the cabin of a jet sitting on the ramp in Phoenix, just before departure for Shanghai. Nomadic pilot Pat Lewis, recently featured in the latest season of Cockpit Casual, joins the conversation to talk about his unconventional path into ferry flying—from his background as a musician to finding his way into the world of international aircraft delivery.

The episode closes with “Demons” by Pat’s band Mass Fear, available now on Spotify.

Episode 2 drops early as Bob and Steve head back into the skies for a packed week of flying.

We break down the early stages of the Iran conflict and what it actually means for civilian aviation — airspace closures, reroutes, risk assessments, and how professional flight crews and operators plan around geopolitical hotspots in real time. If you’ve ever wondered how airlines and ferry crews decide what’s safe (and what’s not), this is the inside look.

Then, in classic Cockpit Casual fashion, we pivot hard.

This week’s Side Schtick (thanks, Bob…) takes an unexpected turn into the strange world of aviation influencers on Instagram — the good, the bad, and the algorithm-driven absurd.

We close with an extensive listener Q&A session. You asked sharp questions — about careers, aircraft, and life on the road — and we gave honest answers.

Video version coming soon to the @CockpitCasual YouTube channel — schedule permitting. Both hosts are operating this week, so audio takes priority.

Strap in.

On the debut episode of Cockpit Casual: The Podcast, ferry pilots Steve Giordano and Bob Allen pull back the curtain on the world of moving heavy airliners around the globe.

This week we cover:

• A look at the current aviation cycle and why the ferry market has slowed
• Two recent China trips — including some memorable food and catering moments
• What ferry pilots actually do, and why airlines and lessors rely on them
• A deep dive into the business of repositioning aircraft worldwide

Blending industry insight with unfiltered conversation, Episode 1 sets the foundation for the show — exploring the realities of life as modern-day nomads flying airliners from one corner of the world to another.

Have a question for the show? Send it to [email protected] and we may feature it in a future episode.