APRO Bulletin - 1979 03 00 - Vol 27 No 9

Magazine Overview

Title: the apro bulletin
Issue: VOL. 27, NO. 9
Date: March, 1979
Publisher: THE A.P.R.O. BULLETIN

Articles

UFO FLAP IN CALIFORNIA

This section details a series of UFO sightings in Northern California during late October and November of 1978. While most involved lights at night, the nature of these lights suggested they were not conventional objects. A particularly well-described sighting was made by ranch hand Mike Farmer on the Charles Cobb ranch near Vina, California. Farmer observed green lights on a ridge that descended slowly, illuminating the canyon with a yellowish cast. He then saw another object, bell-shaped with appendages, approximately 30 feet wide and 10-12 feet high, hovering over power lines. The object emitted a pulsating green light and red and white lights. Farmer felt uneasy and returned to his cabin. The article notes that Charles Cobb, a former Air Force veteran, had his own experiences with reporting UFOs, which made him hesitant to discuss the recent sightings.

Swiss Photo Report

By W. B Van Den Berg of APRO and the Netherlands Werkgroep Nobovo.

This report describes a sighting by three Dutchmen on a walking trip in the high Alps region of Southern Switzerland, west of the Simplon Pass, on July 26, 1975, around 15:00 hours. At an altitude of approximately 1300 meters, they observed an oval dark object flying from behind trees in an eastern direction, then returning west. The object was described as sharply cut, solid, and not vague. They took a color dia-photo (slide) of the object, which was at an elevation of about 20 degrees. The analysis of the original color slide confirmed it was genuine, with no tricks, damage, carvings, or double exposure. The emulsion layer thickness was correct, and the light intensity of the landscape and the UFO were comparable.

California (Continued)

This section continues the report on UFO sightings in California. It recounts an incident in 1956 where a cigar-shaped object, estimated to be 700 feet long and 125 feet in diameter, streaked across the path of a twin-engine Air Force plane at about 500 miles per hour over New Hampshire. Although no formal report was made, the airmen were interrogated by their commanding officer and a panel of scientists. The article mentions that the pilot involved, Cobb, was later ridiculed by being presented with a 'Tom Corbett Space Control' badge. In the weeks following the Farmer sighting, other sightings were made by Cobb and companions, including a retired Air Force Colonel. Mrs. Cobb also reported calls from neighbors who had seen objects but refused to report them. The report then introduces a sighting by Helen Cline of Paradise, California, on November 27, 1978. While driving with her family, they observed a light changing from bright white to orange, which grew closer and appeared to be the size of a car headlight. They pulled over, and a bright flash illuminated a cloud of mist containing a flat, saucer-shaped object with a dome on top, described as grey in color.

Use Of Hypnosis To Discriminate 'True' And 'False' UFO Experiences

By Harold A. Cahn, Ph.D., APRO Consultant in Parapsychology.

This paper addresses James Harder's request for comments on distinguishing between genuine and suggested UFO experiences obtained through hypnosis. Dr. Cahn argues that the concept of 'hypnosis' itself is problematic, proposing a distinction between 'suggestion' and a specific psychophysiological state called 'trance.' Trance can occur with or without hypnosis and is characterized by an 'attenuation or obliteration of the observer-operator (ob-op) function.' In this state, suggestions are more readily accepted. Cahn suggests that monitoring the bodily direct current (DC) electrical field can help differentiate between states where heterosuggestion is determinative and those where operator suggestion is dominant. He notes that a change in the sense of time passage is a harbinger of this 'shift in consciousness.' Cahn believes that by carefully conducting hypnotic examinations, investigators can make a fair discrimination between hoaxers and those who have had real experiences.

NEW ZEALAND

By D. Bruce S. Maccabee

This section details a series of radar and visual observations made by an Air Force plane over New Zealand in March 1979. The flight, designated 'TRIP NORTH,' involved tracking multiple targets. Key events include:

• 0216: The plane took off from Christchurch (CH) heading northeast.
• 0218:40: A bright light, described as a 'squashed orange,' was observed through cloud tops, about 10-30° to the right of the plane's heading. The plane's radar detected a target in the same direction.
• 0221:30: The plane's radar picked up a target about 30° to the right, estimated to be 3-5 times the size of a blip from a large fishing boat. The object appeared to travel with the plane, dimming and brightening, and was described as having a 'brightly lit bottom and a sort of transparent top.'
• 0225:30: The target moved beyond the radar scope's display angle.
• 0227: The plane was at 11,500 feet, and a 'great big target' was reported at 3:00, about 12 miles away.
• 0229: The plane reached cruising altitude of 13,000 feet. The pilot turned to head toward the object, which appeared to move up, down, and then forward. The object was not detected on radar when directly ahead, suggesting it was below the radar beam's nominal lower bound.
• 0231: The object was no longer visible visually, but radar targets were detected. The object was described as having a 'rolling and turning' motion.
• 0233: The plane regained the 'MOTO' track. There were discussions between ground controllers and the plane regarding target positions.
• 0241-0248:30: Multiple radar targets were reported off the coast near Kaikoura, with varying positions and distances.
• 0250: An observer expressed hope that the sightings were over and the journey back would be uneventful.
• 0251: A strong radar target was reported at 12:00, 2 miles off the coast, south of Cape Campbell. A flashing light was observed, possibly the Blenheim airfield beacon, which was then turned off. Other lights appeared.
• 0253: Four targets were reported off the coast.
• 0254: The plane was about to merge with a target ahead. The passengers were unaware of any close target.
• 0256: Targets were reported in the 2:00-3:00 position and off the coast at 9:30. Lights resembling fishing boat lights were seen in Cook Strait.

The article concludes by noting that the pilot had detected objects on radar that appeared to be in the reported positions but did not inform anyone at the time.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The APRO Bulletin consistently focuses on UFO phenomena, presenting detailed case reports, witness testimonies, and investigative techniques. The March 1979 issue highlights UFO activity in California and New Zealand, emphasizing the need for rigorous investigation and analysis, as seen in the Swiss photo report and the discussion on using hypnosis. The publication appears to maintain a stance of serious inquiry into the UFO phenomenon, providing a platform for detailed accounts and expert opinions, while also acknowledging the challenges in distinguishing genuine experiences from hoaxes or misidentifications.