Potpourri News No 207

Magazine Overview

This issue of POTPOURRI NEWS, identified as NO. 207 and dated November 15, 1979, features news related to UFO research and a specific sighting. The publication appears to be a newsletter or small periodical, likely from the "Cross Country News" entity, with John F. Schuessler listed as the contact for "Information, Data, Commentary and Speculation."

Fund For UFO Research Established

The lead story announces the establishment of the "Fund for UFO Research, Inc.," a non-profit organization incorporated in the District of Columbia on August 1, 1979. The fund's primary goal is to channel money into serious scientific research concerning Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs) in hopes of illuminating the long-term mystery. The organization is chaired by Dr. Bruce Maccabee, a laser physicist and well-known UFO researcher. The Executive Committee includes zoologist Criag Phillips (Director of the National Aquarium), astronomer Dr. John Carlson (University of Maryland), and Dr. David Schwartzman (Chairman of the Geology Department at Howard University), along with USN L:. Thomas Deulсу. A National Board, in the process of formation, will comprise individuals from diverse scientific and technical disciplines. This board will evaluate serious research proposals and recommend financial support for those with the greatest potential to advance scientific knowledge or public understanding of UFOs. The fund will also support on-the-spot field investigations of UFO sighting reports where significant physical evidence is likely to be obtained for rapid scientific analysis.

The Fund for UFO Research, Inc., explicitly states it will NOT be a membership organization, nor will it publish a newsletter or periodical for the general public. It also will not collect and investigate large numbers of routine reports, as other reputable organizations already fulfill these functions. Contact information for the Fund is provided: P. O. Box 277, Mt. Rainier, Md. 20022, with phone numbers 703/548-6405 (days) and 201/779-8683 (evenings and weekends).

Pilot Claims UFOs Forced Emergency Landing

A separate report details an incident involving a Spanish airline pilot who claims unidentified flying objects forced his plane to make an emergency landing. The incident occurred on a Caravelle jet flight carrying 102 passengers over the Mediterranean island of Ibiza on Sunday, November 11, 1979 (date inferred from context of Nov 13th report and Nov 15th publication). The Spanish transport ministry has launched an official investigation.

According to the report, the plane was en route from Mallorca to Tenerife in the Canary Islands when bright red flying objects, described as three times larger than stars and emitting sparks, appeared to "buzz" the aircraft. Pilot Francisco Lerdo de Tejado stated that he asked permission to land in Valencia because the plane was in danger of colliding with an unidentified object. He reported that he was climbing from 23,000 to 33,000 feet when he saw "two parallel red lights so strong that they hid their ship, or, whatever it was, from sight."

Lerdo de Tejado described the objects as being on a collision course with his aircraft, traveling at a speed no conventional aircraft possesses, before they suddenly stopped very close to the Caravelle. Other crew members corroborated his account. The objects reportedly "played" with the plane for about 10 minutes, and the nearest control tower reported that the objects did not show up on its radar. When the objects initiated a second collision course, Lerdo de Tejado descended from 19,000 to 13,000 feet and received permission to land at Valencia airport due to the pursuit by an unidentified plane and the risk of collision. He characterized the situation as "semi-emergency."

Sources at Valencia Airport indicated that the red lights could be seen around and over the airport until several hours after the plane's landing. Lerdo de Tejado expressed uncertainty about the nature of the objects, stating, "If I knew what these flying saucers looked like, I would tell you. I only know that it was a devilishly fast there, with a terrifying capacity for maneuver."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue focuses on the scientific approach to UFO research and a specific, potentially significant, aerial encounter. The establishment of the Fund for UFO Research, Inc., suggests an editorial stance favoring rigorous, evidence-based investigation over sensationalism or unsubstantiated claims. The inclusion of a detailed pilot report, corroborated by crew members and noted by air traffic control (regarding radar absence), highlights the magazine's interest in credible sightings and the potential for scientific analysis of such events. The publication aims to provide "Information, Data, Commentary and Speculation" on these topics.