GLEN HACKLER
Owner of RC Plane Stands
By Jay Smith | jays@modelaircraft.org
JAY SMITH: How did you become involved with model aviation?
GLEN HACKLER: I first started flying Control Line with my dad in the 1960s. I tried to get back into the hobby in the ’80s, but then got married, had kids, and I had to put the hobby on hold for a while.
In 2017, I sold my business and retired. Later that year, my dad passed away. He had returned to the hobby after he retired and moved to Las Vegas, where he joined an RC club and loved it. He had a large, air-conditioned Tuff Shed in which he built his airplanes.
After he died, my stepmom gave it and the contents to me. It was full of airplanes, engines, kits, and everything else, so I thought, what a great time to get back into the hobby.
JS: How has model aviation impacted your life and/or career?
GH: It brought me out of retirement and gave me a full-time job again. I’m still not sure yet if that’s a good thing or not. I had to hire a couple of college kids to keep up with demand. They help with the gluing, sanding, and packaging. I didn’t expect the business to grow so large.
JS: What disciplines of modeling do you currently participate in?
GH: I started with electric park flyers and had as many as 30 of them at one point, but when I switched over to gas power, that’s when I really fell in love with the hobby. Gas is so much better and cleaner than glow fuel.
I started with a couple of 30cc sport models then moved up to a 64cc Edge 540. I am currently finishing and adding a lot of detail to a Phoenix Model Waco, which I bought used. It’s awesome.
JS: What other hobbies do you have?
GH: After I retired, I expanded my garage with a complete woodworking shop. I have made chess boards, cutting boards, a baby cradle for my granddaughter’s doll, and so on. After I started making airplane stands, there was not much time for the fun stuff anymore.
JS: Who or what has influenced you the most?
GH: My RC club. After I came back into this hobby, I joined my local RC club, the Orange County Modelers Association. It is one of the best things I’ve done.
All of the members are so helpful and friendly. They invited me in, put me on a buddy box, and helped me learn to fly again. They sold me their used radios and airplanes, so I didn’t have to put out top dollar while getting started again. A lot of them have become good friends of mine.
JS: What led you to start RC Plane Stands?
GH: Being a woodworker, I made myself an airplane stand. The guys at the field loved it and wanted me to make them one too, so I made five of them and they immediately sold. Long story short, it’s a full-time business now. I’ve sold them all over the world. So much for retirement!
