Flying Saucer Digest - No 106 - 1989

Magazine Overview

Title: FLYING SAUCER DIGEST
Issue: No. 106
Volume/Date: Summer 89 (Cover Date: JUL. 24, 1948)
Publisher: UNITED AERIAL PHENOMENA AGENCY (UAPA)

This issue of the Flying Saucer Digest, dated Summer 1989 with a cover date of July 24, 1948, presents a collection of articles and reports related to unidentified flying objects (UFOs) and aerial phenomena. The magazine, published by the United Aerial Phenomena Agency (UAPA), addresses rising printing costs and announces an increase in subscription rates and publication size, aiming to remain in business and improve the content for subscribers.

From the Editor

The editor, Robert S. Easley, explains that due to a 28% increase in paper and printing costs over the past two years, UAPA must pass some of these costs on to subscribers. Effective October 1, 1989, new subscription rates will be $7.00 for 4 issues and $13.00 for 8 issues, a $2.00 annual increase. This adjustment is intended to keep the publication at a break-even point and allow for growth. Additionally, starting with the Winter Issue #108, the magazine will expand from 10 to 14 pages per issue, featuring more illustrations and photos. The editor emphasizes that profit is not the primary goal, but rather to keep readers informed about the UFO field. The price increase gives readers a chance to renew at the old rate before October 1, 1989. UAPA has been publishing since the mid-Sixties and plans to continue well into the Nineties.

About This Cover

The cover story details a sighting on July 24, 1948, at 2:45 A.M., near Montgomery, Alabama. Captain C. S. Chiles and First Officer John B. Whitted reported a brilliant, cigar-shaped craft, approximately 100 feet long and twice the diameter of a B-29, with no protruding surfaces. The wingless aircraft moved towards them, then veered left as they did, passing about 700 feet to their right and above. The cabin appeared as a bright pilot compartment, and an intense, dark blue glow ran the entire length of the fuselage, described as a blue fluorescent factory light. The exhaust was a red-orange flame. The craft pulled up with a burst of flame and zoomed into the clouds, rocking their DC-3.

About Next Issue

The Fall issue (cover shown on page 2) will contain Part II of the "Bonnie Berea" case, along with other articles, features, and UFO sightings.

Our Sister Publication: Weirdology

Weirdology is described as a bi-monthly Fortean publication covering mysterious subjects, edited by Rick R. Hilberg. Subscription rates are $4.50 for six issues, with sample copies available for $1.00.

Summer "Grab Bag" Sale

UAPA is offering six early issues of various UFO publications for $2.00 as a "grab bag" sale.

New Feature This Issue: Reader's Say

The "Reader's Say" column is returning to FSD, with UAPA Chairman Allan J. Manak handling letters and answers. The policy is to print interesting letters, omitting addresses, and to add one issue to the subscription for each letter used. Robert S. Easley is credited as the Editor.

Readers Say - Correspondence

• B. Dillinger from St. Louis, Missouri, inquired about a listing of all available materials for sale. AJM (Allan J. Manak) responded that a new catalog would be ready by Fall.
• B. Shantz from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, complimented the organization for publishing on time, contrasting it with others that are months behind. AJM acknowledged the compliment.
• P. Collins from Hackensack, New Jersey, praised Flying Saucer Digest #104 and Weirdology #9 as excellent issues. AJM thanked her.
• G. Scott from Columbus, Ohio, inquired about the next National UFO Conference in Cleveland. AJM stated they did not know at this time but might bid for the 1990 or 1991 NUFOC.
• O. Wilson from Reading, Pennsylvania, disagreed with Peter Gersten's view of "Communion" as fictional, stating he had personally experienced UFO sightings, levitation, missing time, and other-world entities, and agreed with Allan J. Manak's comments on "Ridiculous Explanations."

Analysis in Astronomy

This section, appearing in "ASTRONOMY MAGAZINE" (June 1989), reports on the loss of radio contact with the Soviet spaceprobe Phobos 2 on March 27, two weeks before a planned low-altitude pass over Mars' moon Phobos. Ground Controllers believed contact was unrecoverable. The problem occurred when the craft could not regain stable contact after a data-collection run. Phobos 2 had taken photographs and collected data, but its main mission was a low-altitude cruise over Phobos' surface for soil analysis by lander and hopper probes. Phobos 1 had previously lost contact due to an erroneous command. Phobos 2 had also been experiencing hardware problems, including issues with its backup radio transmitter and non-functioning electrical subsystems.

Manak's Notebook: The Bonnie Berea Case (Part 1)

This section, by Allan J. Manak, begins an in-depth analysis of the "Bonnie Berea" case, focusing on establishing factual, fool-proof research. The case involves two photos of an unknown object photographed in May 1967. The investigation details a phone call on June 22, 1967, to Don Brill, co-owner of Commerce Photo Studios, who received two photos from an anonymous party. Further questioning revealed the photos were taken around 3 a.m. in May by a woman named "Bonnie," who was upset because no one believed her story. A "go-between" provided the photos to Mr. Brill in exchange for blow-ups. The investigation involved meeting the go-between and attempting to contact the witness, who worked at a restaurant-cafe in Berea, Ohio. Names are kept confidential by UAPA.

Foremost Sighting This Issue

This article, written by Elton Roberts and published in the Fort Payne, Alabama Times Journal on February 14, 1989, details numerous sightings in south DeKalb County, Alabama. A Grove Oak woman reported a hovering aircraft, described as banana-shaped with red and white lights and a green outline, moving silently. Police Chief Junior Garmany and Assistant Chief Fred Works followed the object for about 12 miles. They estimated its speed at 300-400 mph and altitude at 1,000-1,500 feet. The object appeared roundish with flashing green, white, and red lights. The DeKalb County Sheriff's Office received over 50 calls. Sightings were also reported by a state trooper and police in other towns. Airport officials and a Weather Service official could not explain the sightings.

Around and About the Saucer World

UFO Causes Radar Malfunction?

This report, from the East Hampton, New York Star (February 9, 1989) by Russell Drumm, describes an incident involving the 30-foot fishing boat 'Jibber' near Shagwong Point on January 30, 1989. Captain David Gaviola and crew member Bobby Van Velsor observed a bright, star-like light on the water that seemed to come from a strange shape in the sky. As the boat approached, the radar quit. The object, described as square-shaped and later triangular or diamond-shaped, about 150 feet long, moved towards the boat, bobbing and moving side to side. It then turned belly-up, cruised west, then south, and climbed higher until it disappeared. The radar then mysteriously started again. The fishermen were convinced something was looking at them and had knocked out the boat's electronics.

UFO Over Nevada

On the same day as the 'Jibber' incident, Elaine Goldman and her relatives sighted a mysterious oval object over Nevada. Driving on Interstate 80, they observed a motionless object hundreds of feet above the highway, described as oval-shaped with a red glow and two short streams of smoke. Flashing red lights were at each end. The object disappeared after 10-15 minutes. A check with the FAA provided no assistance.

UFO Caught on Video Tape in Washington State?

Reported by Mary Barough in the Skagit Valley Herald, this case involves 16-year-old Alfred Chan, who discovered a barely discernible object on his home videotape. The object appeared as a small dark shape that rapidly disappeared, with a reflection off a classic flying saucer shape visible. Chan believes it's a UFO, and his father, Dominic, a retired Navy Petty Officer, also finds no logical explanation. The tape was reviewed by the Oak Harbor Police and Sgt. Rick Wallace, who noted something moving in the clouds but could not discern a clear outline. The Navy stated they do not have aircraft capable of such maneuvers, and the Air Force now refers such cases to the National UFO Reporting Center.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include detailed eyewitness accounts of UFO sightings, investigations into unexplained phenomena, and the challenges of documenting and verifying such events. The magazine maintains a stance of serious inquiry into UFOs, presenting various cases and analyses while acknowledging the skepticism and difficulties in obtaining definitive proof. The editorial notes highlight the commitment to informing the public about UFO developments and the practical challenges faced by publishers in the field, such as rising costs. The UAPA positions itself as a dedicated, non-profit organization for the study of UFOs.