EWT01

Magazine Overview

This document is the first issue of a publication titled "NOTICE," produced by the "GROUPE DE TRAVAIL EUROPEEN" (European Working Team - EWT). Dated 1981, Volume 1, Number 1, it is presented as an edition by GESAG production, Jacques BONABOT, Leopold I laan, 141, BRUGGE, Belgium. The publication expresses gratitude for financial support from EWT members, which enables the production of "NOTICE." It also welcomes Michel Coste, a French researcher specializing in the historical aspect of UFO phenomena and a co-founder of the "Association pour l'Investigation Historique des Phénomènes Insolites."

The primary goal of this first issue is to introduce the team's initial documents, focusing on establishing a better methodology, definitions, and standard data within the EWT. The publication is noted as having "Restricted diffusion" and requiring acknowledgment of authors for reproduction.

Progress Report

The "Progress Report" section details ongoing research and development within the EWT. The author is building a new catalogue of Type-1 UFO reports, expanding and refining previous catalogues. All known cases are being reinvestigated, with approximately 20% being reclassified as 'negative' or explained events. A 'typical summary' format has been defined for reporting close encounter cases to standardize information exchange.

A codebook and codification form have been prepared, including 53 parameters, with new definitions and quantitative assessments for information quality, strangeness, reliability, and certitude. Computer processing of an index to the catalogue is underway, covering time, spatial data, classification, and certitude index. The author anticipates the entire project, including data analysis, will be completed by 1983/84, potentially leading to more accurate landing research.

Subcatalogues of negative cases and 'lone bizarre creature' reports are also being prepared. A detailed 'MODEL SUMMARY' is provided, outlining fields for witness information, activity, location, sighting details, UFO appearance, dimensions, sounds, maneuvers, associated physical phenomena, effects, flight directions, duration, occupants, and traces.

Classification Systems and Definitions

Several sections delve into proposed classification systems and definitions for UFO phenomena and encounters. Vicente Juan Ballester Olmos contributes his work, which concentrates on Type-1 cases in Spain and Portugal. He expresses reservations about definitions relying solely on witness estimates of altitude or distance, preferring definitions based on associated effects rather than proximity. He proposes a revised definition for 'Close Encounter' (CE) that includes interactive effects.

Ted Bloecher's HUMCAT classification system is presented, which uses an alphabetical structure (A-G) to categorize encounters. The definitions are further elaborated and modified by Jean-Luc Rivera and Alain Gamard. Key categories include:

• Type 1 Sighting: Manifestations of the phenomenon observed by witnesses, possibly involving a device (spherical, discoid, or complex) on or near the ground, with or without physical effects.
• Close Encounters (CE):
• CE 1: Transient interactive effects observable by witnesses.
• CE 2: Durable interactive effects available for subsequent analysis.
• CE 3: Cases involving entities, with or without a UFO.
• CE 4: Cases involving interaction between entities and witnesses (verbal, gesture, abduction, etc.).

Bloecher's categories are discussed, and suggestions are made for sub-classes based on 'temporary' or 'durable' effects (psychological, physiological, environmental, animal, mechanical, radar).

Alain Gamard proposes a behavioral classification for CE3 entities: Observers, Samplers, Technicians, Examiners, Messengers, and Aggressors. For CE4 cases, he suggests a differentiation based on contact type: Direct Contact (A), Visionary Contacts (B), Abduction/Voyages (C), and Psychic Contact (D).

Maurizio Verga's comments on the nature of accounts are also addressed, outlining four stages: UFO Event (stimulus), Sighting (perception), Account (description), and Report (investigator's case study).

Investigation Levels and Data Standardization

A system of "Investigation Levels" (E to A) is proposed, ranging from third-hand accounts (Level E) to on-site investigations with full reports (Level A). This system, developed with Bernard Delair for BRITISH VIEWPOINT, aims to provide a visual check on the depth of investigation.

The need for data standardization is emphasized, with a proposal for a new term, "PRIME," to denote reports evaluated as none-identifiable (not misperception or fabrication). This is intended to be the essence of the research.

Italian CE3 Cases

A "CONCISE LIST OF CE3 ITALIAN CASES" is presented, containing 65 cases collected by the author. These cases involve entities more or less directly associated with reported UFO phenomena. A simple code is used to supply data, including physical traces, physical effects, electromagnetic effects, animal effects, vegetation effects, and abduction cases. The list includes dates, hours, locations (province), and a coded data string for each case.

Presentation of HUMCAT Classification

This section provides a detailed explanation of the HUMCAT classification system, originally defined by Ted Bloecher and adapted by Jean-Luc Rivera and Alain Gamard. It outlines categories A through G, describing different types of entity observations in relation to UFOs:

• A: Entity observed inside the object.
• B: Entity observed entering or exiting the object.
• C: Entity observed in the immediate vicinity of the object.
• D: Entity observed independently of a UFO, but with UFO activity in the zone.
• E: Entity observed independently of a UFO, with no reported UFO activity in the zone (negative association).
• F: No entity or UFO seen, but the percipient experiences intelligent communication (directly or psychically).
• G: Percipient has an experience aboard the object, voluntarily or involuntarily.

Proposed Data Standardization

The document concludes with a "PROPOSITION D'UNE STANDARDISATION DES DONNEES" (Proposal for Data Standardization). It highlights the importance of adopting common definitions, norms, and codes to facilitate collaborative research within the GTE-EWT and potentially benefit the broader European ufological community. The proposal addresses the need to refine existing definitions for Type 1 phenomena and Close Encounters (RR1, RR2, RR3, RR4), referencing the work of Jacques Vallée and J. Allen Hynek. A table presents a standardization of basic (RR) and secondary data codes, including Type 1 phenomena classes (A-D) and associated codes (1A-1D), as well as codes for different types of Close Encounters (R1-R3) and physical incidences (A-I).

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the establishment of rigorous methodologies, standardized definitions, and systematic data collection for UFO research. The EWT positions itself as a collaborative group aiming to improve the scientific approach to studying UFO phenomena. There is a clear emphasis on classification systems, detailed case analysis, and the distinction between credible reports and those that are explainable or fabricated. The editorial stance is one of serious, systematic investigation and a desire to create a common framework for researchers in the field.

This document is page 11 of a publication titled "NOTICE," identified as Volume 1, Number 1, with a reference code "JBT 810916," likely indicating a publication date around September 1981. It is published by GTE-EWT, based in Brugge, Belgium. The primary language of the content is French.

Content Analysis

The page is largely dedicated to a detailed classification system for UFO (OVNI) phenomena, presented as "Caractéristiques d'étrangeté et indices d'étrangeté" (Characteristics of strangeness and indices of strangeness). This system assigns codes to various observed phenomena and their effects. The listed categories include:

• Comportement et effets sur un animal (Behavior and effects on an animal) - Coded A/1 to A99
• Comportement d'entité (Entity behavior) - Coded CØ1 to C99
• Effet électromagnétique (Electromagnetic effect) - Coded E1 to E99
• Force exercée, ressentie (Force exerted, felt) - Coded FØ1 to F99
• Interférences sur instruments, appareils (Interference on instruments, apparatus) - Coded I/1 to I99
• Variation de la température ambiante (Variation of ambient temperature) - Coded KØ1 to K99
• Effets lumineux particuliers (Particular luminous effects) - Coded L/1 to L99
• Interférence avec le milieu (Interference with the environment) - Coded MØ1 to M99
• Éléments descriptifs du phénomène observé (Descriptive elements of the observed phenomenon) - Coded O/1 to O99
• Détection de radiations (Radiation detection) - Coded RØ1 to R99
• Traces (Traces) - Coded TØ1 to T99
• Comportement du témoin et effets sur témoin (Witness behavior and effects on witness) - Coded Whi to W99

These codes are presented alongside a list of specific phenomena such as larmoyement (lamentation), interférence mécanique (mechanical interference), effet optique (optical effect), paralysie (paralysis), rougeur sur l'épiderme (redness on the epidermis), son (sound), trace (trace), and effet aquatique (aquatic effect - evaporation, boiling). The codes are also linked to specific page numbers or ranges within cited documents.

Jacques BONABOT is credited with the statement, "We believe that these sets of standard elements and their codes appear sufficiently in UFO notifications, in investigation files, for them to be accepted by the G.T.E. in order to be used in documents." This suggests the system is intended for official or semi-official use in cataloging UFO reports.

Several references are provided, indicating the theoretical and practical basis for this classification system. These include works by:

• Jacques VALLEE ("Challenge to Science", "How to classify and codify UFO sightings?")
• Allen J. HYNEK ("The UFO Experience")
• Ted BLOECHER (Article in Fate Magazine)
• Alain GAMARD and Jean-Luc RIVERA (Manual of codification DATA OVNI/HUMCAT EUROPE - in preparation)
• Jacques BONABOT (Manual of codification DATA OVNI/HUMCAT EUROPE - in preparation)
• Jean-Luc OVERAL ("Caractéristiques et indices d'étrangeté. L'étrangeté." - Document GTE-EWT JOL 810702)

Contact information for Jacques Bonabot is provided: Leopold I laan, 141, Brugge, Belgium. The GTE-EWT publication is referenced with "NOTICE vol 1, nº 1.(JBT 810916)."

Publication and Support Information

The bottom section of the page details the publication's operational needs. It states that "NOTICE" is published regularly and relies on members to ensure its publication through a minimum financial support of 250 Belgian Francs (FB). It also mentions that the publication will "be regularly publish with the help of the members and financial support of minimum 250 FB." The contact person for these matters is Mrs Jenny Deduytsche, also located at Leopold I laan, 141, Brugge, Belgium. Instructions are given to avoid checks and use only international money orders or postal transfers. Bank transfer details are provided for C.C.P. BRUGGE, account number 000-0956967-02, also associated with Mrs Jenny Deduytsche.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes are the systematic classification and codification of UFO phenomena, drawing upon established research in the field by prominent figures like Jacques Vallee and J. Allen Hynek. The editorial stance appears to be one of rigorous scientific inquiry and data organization, aiming to standardize the reporting and analysis of UFO sightings. The publication actively seeks community support to continue its work, indicating a collaborative or membership-based model. The emphasis on international cooperation and financial support highlights the global nature of UFO research and the practical challenges of maintaining such publications.