APRO Bulletin - 1982 01 00 - Vol 30 No 1

Magazine Overview

This issue of The APRO Bulletin, Volume 30, No. 1, published in February 1982, focuses on significant UFO and humanoid encounters, as well as legal and astronomical developments within the field. The cover story details a "UFO, Jet Chase" over Brazil, while other articles cover encounters in Maine, Finland, and extensively in the Dominican Republic. The bulletin also reports on the Committee Against UFO Secrecy's (CAUS) legal battle with the National Security Agency (NSA) and provides astronomical data for February and March 1982.

UFO, Jet "Chase" Over Brazil

On February 8, 1982, at approximately 3:20 a.m., Captain Gerson Britto of VARIG Airlines reported a UFO escorting his airliner between Fortaleza and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The object, described as "sandwich-shaped" with amber and blue lights, was observed for about one and a half hours by most of the 150 passengers. Initially, J. Allen Hynek and a Brazilian astronomer named Renaldo suggested the object was the planet Venus. However, after pilots familiar with the route replicated the flight conditions, Renaldo recanted his initial assessment, admitting the object could not have been Venus. Irene Granchi, APRO's representative for Brazil, confirmed the legitimacy of the case through interviews with pilots. A passenger reportedly took a photograph of the object, asking an immense sum for it. Military and civilian authorities in Brazil reportedly endorsed Captain Britto's sighting.

Close Encounter in Maine

Mike Melendez reported an encounter involving Mr. and Mrs. Harold (Helen) Hendsbee on November 29, 1981, near Farmington, Maine. While driving, they were warned by men in a car to turn back. Shortly after, they saw a bright object moving from side to side, which then disappeared. Upon returning, the object reappeared, illuminating the entire hill. Hendsbee described it as "a telephone pole high" and stated it came toward their vehicle, hovering about 60 feet off the ground. The object made no sound and eventually moved away. The Hendsbees are considered reliable witnesses, and the other individuals involved have not been identified.

Egyptian Representative Appointment

The APRO Staff announced the appointment of Mr. Bishr El Touni of Cairo, Egypt, as their new representative for that country. El Touni is described as being with a large international news service and well-qualified for his duties, having already been responsible for recruiting other members in Egypt.

Possible Abduction in Finland

This section, from the third quarterly report of Suomen UFOtutkijat ry, details an incident on July 31, 1981, near Pielinen Lake, Eastern Finland. Two men sailing in a motor boat saw a black sphere surrounded by lights. The object approached, and one man was paralyzed. After the object and lights disappeared, the men realized they had lost six hours of time. They suffered aftereffects including shaking, nightmares, and poor balance. Astronomers Juhani Kyrolainen and Pekka Teerikorpi conducted studies, including two unsuccessful hypnosis attempts, and concluded the phenomenon was not a meteorite or a Russian rocket launch.

CAUS v/s NSA Lawsuit Goes to US Supreme Court

This article by William L. Moore details the progress of the Committee Against UFO Secrecy's (CAUS) lawsuit against the National Security Agency (NSA) to obtain UFO-related documents. Despite a lower court ruling in favor of the NSA based on a classified affidavit, CAUS is appealing to the U.S. Supreme Court. The article mentions that CAUS, now reorganized as a non-profit Delaware corporation, is seeking tax-deductible status and is planning a spring conference. The APRO's Board of Directors has voted to forward a substantial sum to CAUS.

Strange Aerial Sounds Reported in 1981

Member G. C. Day reported unusual aerial sounds on October 17, 1981, at Crane Prairie Reservoir. He and Jerrold McDermott heard a sound approaching from the north, described as a "rotating swooshing push from center," a "constant mechanical rotation hum," and a "definite high point of friction." The sound was estimated to be at a slow cycle of approximately one per second and at an altitude of 50 to 100 feet. Separately, a strange sky "explosion" was reported over Portland, Maine, on December 4, 1981, accompanied by a flash, with authorities unable to determine its cause.

Astronomical Data

Compiled by Lee Emery, this section provides astronomical data for February and March 1982, applicable to latitudes between 30° and 50° north. It details the rising and setting times of prominent planets (Venus, Mars, Saturn, Jupiter) and bright stars (Sirius, Capella, Vega, Rigel, Betelgeuse, Arcturus), as well as moon phases and meteor shower expectations. For February, Venus is an early morning planet, Mars rises around 10 p.m., Saturn is just before Mars, and Jupiter rises around midnight. For March, Venus remains an early morning planet, Mars rises around 8 p.m., Saturn follows a similar path, and Jupiter rises around 10:30 p.m. Star positions are largely unchanged, with earlier rising and setting times in March.

Humanoids in the Dominican Republic

This extensive section, authored by Leonte N. Objio and Richard W. Heiden, presents a series of 12 cases of humanoid encounters in the Dominican Republic, ranging from 1949 to 1978. These include:

1. 1949 Cibao area: A woman saw humanoids in a luminous object that threw down canned food.
2. 1972 Santo Domingo: A mother and children saw two human-like beings in white coveralls, followed by a circular object rising vertically.
3. September 1972 Villa Altagracia: Two short beings with lights took a paralyzed goat into a UFO.
4. September 22, 1972 Palenque: Virgilio Gomez encountered beings, one claiming to be Freddy Miller from Venus, and saw an oval craft.
5. November 6, 1972 Paya: During a religious service, a strange object and a being led people to a woman who was then cured of stomach cancer.
6. March 12, 1975 Off Punta Ocoa: Fishermen observed a two-sectioned UFO with humanoid figures inside.
7. August 14, 1976 El Fundo: Two boys saw a robot-like being and a black sphere.
8. August 15, 1976 Santo Domingo: An elderly gentleman saw a circular bright object from which a human-like figure emerged and re-entered.
9. September 1976 Jimani: Oscar Moquete encountered a being dressed in black who claimed to be from another world and wanted to pass messages.
10. June 24, 1977 La Caleta: Senor A.S. Cruz saw two UFOs with black tubes that sucked them up, causing his extremities to become "asleep."
11. November 20, 1978 Los Rios: A group of witnesses saw lights, experienced a power failure, and heard loud metallic blows, with beings described as conical-shaped or wearing sheets.
12. December 6, 1978 Rincon: Four witnesses observed a disc-shaped UFO with a dome, and a watchman saw a tall being with bright eyes.

The article notes that most of these cases have been objectively investigated.

Repeat Sighting in Texas

From October 26-31, 1981, residents of Galveston Island reported seeing an eerie, glowing light hovering over the area. Police and the Coast Guard received numerous reports. Galveston County Constable Joe Scrofne and Sgt. Dennis Langford observed a "large white light" that moved away when approached. The light is compared to the Gurdon Light.

Object(s) Over Computer Complex

On September 29, 1981, in Hudson, New Hampshire, at least 20 people witnessed unexplained activity. One witness described a "long and low" object hovering over Centronics Data Computer Corporation. Security guards observed objects with red lights, some stationary and some moving erratically, with no sound. Similar sightings were reported in Hillsboro.

Press Reports

This section compiles various press reports:

• Maryland, September 25, 1981: Jamie Cuticchia and friends spotted a cigar-shaped object with blue and red lights hovering and darting at angles for two hours.
• Minnesota, August 10, 1981: Russel Matson observed a hexagon-shaped object, approximately 60-90 feet in span and 15 feet thick, with colored lights, moving slowly at about 10-15 mph.
• Mississippi, July 30, 1981: Jennifer Lindsey and others saw an arrowhead-shaped object with bright lights moving slowly and low.
• Wisconsin, September 5, 1981: Robert Johnson found a triangular patch of dead alfalfa, with the cause debated between lightning and other factors.
• Canada, June 18, 1981: Danny Pavey reported two perfect circles of dead grass, about 2 feet across and 4 feet apart.
• California, September 15, 1981: Lori and Jerry Morgan saw a huge flying saucer with bright lights hovering near their home.
• Florida, August 4, 1981: Al and Sandy Rogers' daughter saw a huge object with red lights at both ends, about 60 feet long, hovering 30 feet above the ground.
• Indiana, August 18-19, 1981: A Portland woman reported seeing oblong objects with pale flashing lights. Grissom AFB reportedly tracked unidentified objects on radar.

The Changing Face of UFO Research

L. J. Lorenzen, Director, reflects on APRO's 31 years of existence and the importance of objective reporting in the UFO field. He distinguishes between serious researchers ("moonlighters") and those seeking notoriety ("limelighters"), cautioning against the propagation of misinformation. Lorenzen discusses a proposal for accrediting UFO researchers and the challenges faced by new initiatives like UFO Clinical Services (UFOCS). He emphasizes the need for the UFO field to monitor its "productivity" and carefully consider participation in public symposia.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include detailed accounts of UFO sightings and close encounters, particularly those involving humanoid occupants. The bulletin consistently emphasizes the importance of objective investigation and reporting, as evidenced by the detailed case files and the critique of "limelighters." The editorial stance, as articulated by L. J. Lorenzen, is one of promoting serious, ethical research while being wary of sensationalism and misinformation. The ongoing legal efforts by CAUS highlight a concern with government transparency regarding UFO information. The inclusion of astronomical data suggests an effort to provide a comprehensive view of phenomena, distinguishing between celestial bodies and unexplained aerial objects.