The APRO Bulletin

Magazine Overview

Title: The APRO Bulletin
Volume: 29
Issue: 9
Date: October 1981
Publisher: Aerial Phenomena Research Organization, Inc.
Country: USA
Language: English
Cover Headline: OBJECT OVER LOS ANGELES

Contents

Renewal Notice The issue begins with a renewal notice for APRO membership and subscriptions, encouraging readers to check their address labels for renewal codes and expressing anticipation for sharing the 'UFO experience' through future bulletins.

UFOhio Symposium Papers A list of papers presented at the APRO UFOhio Symposium is provided, with prices for ordering copies. Titles include "Old Magic and New" by Robert F. Creegan, Ph.D., "The Roswell Investigation, Update and Conclusions" by William L. Moore, and "UFO Activity and Human Consciousness" by R. Leo Sprinkle, Ph.D. Presentations by Lt. Colonel Lawrence Coyne and Dr. Peter Van Arsdale are also mentioned as forthcoming.

A Progress Report and Personal Note This section provides an update from APRO Headquarters, detailing progress in organizing files and the installation of a new Board of Directors. Investigations of local reports are ongoing. The report highlights APRO's international expansion, noting the continued readership of the Lorenzens' books published in the 1960s and 1970s in Italy, Greece, and Japan. A personal note from Jim and Coral Lorenzen shares the happy news of the birth of their grandson, Richard Joseph, and provides an update on Coral's health following a broken neck in October 1980, explaining her treatment with a "halo" frame.

Object Over Los Angeles Written by Barry E. Taff, this article details a sighting on April 19, 1981, in West Los Angeles. The witness observed a flattened, elongated cigar-shaped object with no sound, estimated to be no higher than 500-600 feet. The object had running lights and windows emitting bright white light, with a charcoal grey, opaque surface. It moved slowly and tilted towards the ground.

Unexplained Jet Failure This section reports on an Associated Press story from July 9, 1981, concerning a Boeing 747 jet that experienced a failure of all four engines an hour east of Honolulu, Hawaii, on July 5th. The aircraft dropped 13,000 feet before the engines began re-starting. The Boeing Company pledged cooperation with the National Transportation Safety Board's investigation.

Book Review: "UFOs: The Image Hypothesis – Close Encounters of an Australian Kind" This review discusses a book by Keith Basterfield, an Australian UFO researcher. Basterfield proposes the "Image Hypothesis" as a potential explanation for unexplained UFO events, particularly those occurring during the nocturnal interface of waking and sleep. The reviewer notes that while the hypothesis has merit, it may oversimplify issues like physical traces and that more critical case selection could strengthen the work. The book is recommended for its straightforward approach and potential insights.

UFO Reports Increasing in China This report details a surge in UFO sightings in China during 1980, with the China UFO Research Organization (CURO) recording 77 reports from January to November. Several sightings are described, including a cone-shaped object emitting heat and a whistling sound, a dish-like object with green light, and a bright object emerging from behind a mountain. A possible link is suggested between Chinese sightings and the Valentich case in Australia.

New Bulletin Feature: Astronomical Data This new regular feature, prepared by Field Investigator Lee Emery, provides astronomical information for observers, with a focus on rising and setting times of stars and planets, and meteor showers for November and December 1981, and January 1982. The data is intended to help field investigators identify natural astronomical phenomena.

New Consultant: Michael D. Swords, Ph.D. Dr. Michael D. Swords, Associate Professor of Natural Science at Western Michigan University, has joined APRO's Consulting Staff. His academic background includes degrees in Chemistry, Biochemistry, and History of Science. His research interests include topics like Ancient Astronauts, the Bermuda Triangle, and UFOs.

Letters to the Editor Robert C. Salisbury, Jr. writes about the ease with which the human psyche is influenced by society, propaganda, and commercial advertising, extending this to the tendency for people to be easily convinced by what they hear regarding UFOs, even when it contradicts their own observations.

Press Reports This section compiles various UFO sighting reports from across the United States and Canada:

• February 14, 1981, Greensburg, Pennsylvania: A babysitter reported an object with three white lights forming a triangle, hovering silently, with two humanoid creatures visible inside.
• April 16, 1981, Fairchance, Pennsylvania: Multiple witnesses observed colored lights and a white light hovering and moving for about two hours.
• April 16, 1981, Hershey, Pennsylvania: Two women saw a large, hovering object with numerous lights and antennae, moving away at high speed without sound.
• May 4, 1981, Danville, Pennsylvania: Shiny white particles, described as "falling cobwebs," were seen falling from the sky, possibly shot from saucer-shaped crafts.
• April 15, 1981, Mount Sunapee, Illinois: A large metallic triangle with red and white lights was observed flying low and fast.
• April 24, 1981, Traverse City, Michigan: A woman and her daughter reported a pair of bright lights with bat-like wings, covered in colored lights, hovering and moving rapidly.
• May 12, 1981, Tewksbury, New Jersey: An enormous, elongated airborne vehicle with wings and hundreds of lights was observed gliding silently.
• May 13, 1981, Texomaland, Texas: A long, cigar-shaped object with lit portholes and pulsating lights was observed moving over a pasture.
• Date Unknown, Waukesha, Wisconsin: A couple reported an intense light, a locked van door opening, and their dog being "sucked out," followed by the appearance of a circular craft and occupants.
• July 26, 1981, Portland, Oregon: A "boom" and smoke triggered a search for a crashed aircraft, and a power line experienced an outage.
• July 24, 1981, Tibet, China: A bright object, described as a table tennis ball with a blue-white light ring, moved at high speed.
• April 26, 1981, Lancashire, England: A triangular object made a "machine" sound and hovered before shooting off at high speed.

Just Released: The Encyclopedia of UFOs This section announces the release of "The Encyclopedia of UFOs" edited by Ronald D. Story. It describes the book as a comprehensive collection of over 350 articles covering UFO sightings, government involvement, theories, and personalities, featuring 240 photographs and a bibliography. The book is available in hardcover and paperback.

New Membership Rates Updated membership rates for The APRO Bulletin are listed for the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and other countries via surface and air mail.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance The APRO Bulletin maintains a stance of serious, non-sensational UFO research, focusing on detailed investigations and analysis. The publication aims to contribute to the eventual solution of the UFO phenomenon. Recurring themes include detailed sighting reports, analysis of potential explanations (such as psychological factors), and updates on UFO research efforts internationally. The editorial stance emphasizes a critical yet open-minded approach to the subject, encouraging member participation and providing factual information through features like astronomical data and press reports. The issue also highlights the personal aspects of the organization, such as staff updates and member health concerns, fostering a sense of community among its readership.