Fund for UFO Research Inc. Quarterly Report

Magazine Overview

This document is the "QUARTERLY REPORT, 2" from the "Fund for UFO Research Inc.," covering the period of July - September 1986. The publication is based in Washington, D.C., with a P.O. Box in Mount Rainier, Maryland. The National Board of Directors comprises individuals with diverse scientific and academic backgrounds, including zoology, electrical engineering, theology, sociology, psychology, astrophysics, radiology, and pilot training.

Key Article: "Still in Default"

A significant highlight of this quarter was the 1986 MUFON Symposium, where Dr. Bruce Maccabee, Chairman of the Fund for UFO Research, presented a paper titled "Still in Default." This title is a reference to a paper originally delivered by Dr. James McDonald at the American Association for the Advancement of Science Symposium on UFOs in December 1969, which was titled "Science In Default." Dr. Maccabee's presentation served as an update to McDonald's nearly 20-year-old paper.

Maccabee's paper critically examined erroneous explanations for early UFO sightings, which he argued have led to the general acceptance that all such events can be explained away. He specifically pointed to the work of Dr. Howard Menzel, a Harvard astrophysicist, who, in Maccabee's view, "solved" an important early sighting by omitting crucial quantitative data. This sighting involved C.B. Moore and several Navy enlisted men on April 24, 1949. Menzel, in his book "Flying Saucers," described this as one of the "best authenticated" early sightings and explained it as a mirage of a balloon launched by Moore and his companions. However, Maccabee demonstrated that Menzel's own calculations contradicted this explanation, suggesting that Menzel deliberately excluded observational data that would have made his explanation clearly unsatisfactory to any intelligent reader.

The paper also discussed other early sightings in detail, including the Kenneth Arnold sighting, reports from 1950 during Project Twinkle, and sightings by personnel of the General Mills Skyhook balloon project.

Publishing UFO Research

Dr. Maccabee recounted his efforts to publish UFO-related papers in scientific journals. He submitted papers to prestigious publications such as Science, Nature, Applied Optics, and the Journal of Atmospherics and Terrestrial Physics. He was only successful in publishing two short papers in Applied Optics, both related to a New Zealand case. The editor of Applied Optics reportedly published these papers despite stating that "UFO believers" are "99 and 44/100 percent kooks."

Availability of Proceedings and Papers

The MUFON Symposium Proceedings, which includes Dr. Maccabee's paper, is available from MUFON for $11.50 (including postage). This 186-page publication contains ten major papers, including one by Dr. Richard Haines, a member of the FUND's National Board, analyzing UFO photographs. Dr. Maccabee's paper can also be obtained individually from the FUND for a contribution of $15.00 or more, or for $7.50 if ordered with other publications.

Dr. Maccabee also presented a modified version of his paper at the Massachusetts MUFON Symposium in Boston in August.

Library Contributions

During this quarter, the FUND donated its Library Set of documents and other publications to Onondaga Community College in Syracuse, NY, for its UFO collection at Coulter Library.

Upcoming Events and Initiatives

The FUND is planning to host the 1987 International MUFON Symposium in Washington, D.C., from June 26-28, 1987. The symposium aims to be international, inviting speakers from various countries including the USA, Soviet Union, England, Canada, Australia, Spain, Africa, Sweden, Denmark, Italy, Japan, France, and China. To manage the significant travel expenses associated with this international array of ufologists, the FUND is initiating a special "travel fund" with a goal of raising at least $20,000. They note that if each newsletter recipient contributes $15.00, enough funds could be raised to cover all speaker travel expenses.

As of the report's writing, ufologists from England, Italy, France, Canada, India, China, and the U.S. have accepted invitations to speak. The names of confirmed speakers will be announced in the next Quarterly Report.

Dr. Richard Haines's Book

An update is provided on the impending publication of a book by Dr. Richard Haines, which offers a comprehensive analysis of the disappearance of pilot Frederick Valentich off the coast of Australia. The book's publication has faced considerable delays due to printer issues. The printer initially defaulted on his commitment, leaving those who had pre-ordered the book in a position of having paid for a product not yet delivered. Dr. Haines has since found a new printer, and the book is expected to be published. The FUND is offering those who pre-ordered the option to request a refund; otherwise, their orders will be honored upon the book's eventual availability.

Treasurer's Report (3rd Quarter 1986)

The report includes a financial summary for the third quarter of 1986. Total assets decreased from $5,380.80 at the end of the second quarter to $5,191.79 at the end of the third quarter. Key changes include a decrease in the Checking Account balance and an increase in the Dreyfus Account balance, partly due to a $1,000 transfer from the Rapid Deployment Fund (RDF) for accrual of interest. Expenditures for the quarter totaled $1,210.29, primarily on printing, mailing services, research/investigation, and postage. Income for the quarter was $1,021.28, generated from sales, donations, and interest. A net loss of $189.01 was recorded for the quarter.

• Notable financial notes include:
• A $1,000 transfer to the Dreyfus Account for interest accrual.
• The first annual Isabel Davis Memorial Award was given to Budd Hopkins for his UFO "abduction" case research.
• $170 was donated to the RDF during this quarter, bringing the total 1986 RDF contributions to $1,464.

Reply Form and Available Materials

• A reply form is included for ordering materials from the FUND. Available items include:
• "STILL IN DEFAULT" paper by Dr. Bruce Maccabee ($15.00).
• AIAA Presentation by Jean-Jacques Velasco ($15.00).
• "SENATOR RICHARD RUSSELL: FLYING SAUCER WITNESS" document collection ($15.00).
• "THE IN-FLIGHT DISAPPEARANCE OF FREDERICK VALENTICH" by Dr. Richard Haines ($20.00).
• "UFO DOCUMENT COMPANION" by Dr. Bruce Maccabee ($7.00).
• "UFO/GOVERNMENT DOCUMENTS: Vol. I-III (Library Set)" ($125.00).
• "GHOST OF THE ESTIMATE" by Dr. Bruce Maccabee ($5.00).
• "UFO LANDINGS NEAR KIRTLAND AFB" by Dr. Bruce Maccabee ($10.00).
• "FINAL REPORT ON THE PSYCHOLOGICAL TESTING OF UFO 'ABDUCTEES'" by Ted Bloecher, Budd Hopkins, and Dr. Aphrodite Clamar ($30.00).
• "REPORT ON PRE-1947 UFO SIGHTINGS" by Dr. Louis Winkler ($15.00).

The form also allows for tax-deductible contributions to the "Travel Fund" for the 1987 MUFON Symposium, with various donation levels listed (Patron, Sponsor, Supporter, Donor, Contributor).

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the rigorous scientific investigation of UFO phenomena, the critique of dismissive or inadequate explanations, and the importance of documenting and disseminating research. The FUND for UFO Research Inc. appears to advocate for a serious, evidence-based approach to the study of UFOs, challenging conventional skepticism and promoting the publication of research in scientific and academic forums. The editorial stance is one of persistent inquiry and a commitment to making UFO-related information accessible, as evidenced by their library contributions and the detailed listing of available research materials.