UFO Mail - No 084 - 2007

Magazine Overview

Title: Skandinavisk UFO Information
Issue: 84
Date: March 28, 2007
Publisher: Danmarks UFO Forening

This issue of Skandinavisk UFO Information focuses on pilot testimonies, official UFO investigations, and space-related events.

Pilot's UFO Observation

The main article details a fascinating UFO encounter experienced by Captain Kahn and First Officer Dieter Betz in 1981/82. While flying a Guyana Airways Hawker Siddeley 748 over the Orinoco River delta at 33,000 feet, they were pursued by a powerful, unidentified light sphere. Captain Kahn described it over the radio as a "large light sphere" that matched their speed and altitude. The phenomenon was witnessed by over a hundred people, including other pilots and cabin crew on a Boeing 737. Dieter Betz, who was the first officer on that flight, was scheduled to give a presentation about this experience to the SUFOIS Lokalgruppe »Storkøbenhavn« on April 12th.

Betz recounts the event, noting the quiet radio frequency in the area. He describes the light as being on their starboard side, at the same height and speed, and impossible to identify. The light intensified as it approached, and Kahn, after initially being blinded by it, maneuvered the aircraft to evade it. The light then stopped, moved behind the aircraft, and eventually disappeared. The article also mentions that the phenomenon was seen by many, and that pilots who had kept their experiences secret for years began to speak out.

Later in the issue, Betz's own flying career is highlighted. He has accumulated approximately 16,000 hours of flight time over 50 years, flying over 100 different types of aircraft, and has survived three crashes. He is a member of the Adventurers' Club and has an extensive repertoire of lectures.

France Opens UFO Archives

Another significant section reports on France becoming the first country in the world to fully open its UFO archives. The French space research center, CNES (Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales), launched a website on March 22nd, 2007, containing five decades of UFO observations. The server experienced a massive surge in interest, crashing due to the overwhelming public attention worldwide.

The department responsible, originally named GEPAN (Groupe d'Etudes des Phénomènes Aérospatiaux Non identifiés), has been officially investigating UFO phenomena since 1977. The online archives contain over 1600 reports from 1954 onwards. CNES stated that the online archives would be updated regularly.

Jacques Patenet, head of the office for the study of "unidentified aerial phenomena" at CNES, is quoted saying that while many cases can be dismissed, a handful continue to baffle even seasoned investigators. He notes that in France, UFOs are called "OVNI." Patenet highlights that approximately 25% of the cases in the GEPAN archives are classified as "Type D," meaning they remain unexplained despite good data and credible witnesses. An example given is the 1981 incident near Trans-en-Provence, where a disc-shaped object landed, leaving scorching marks on the ground, an event Patenet admits he has never been able to explain.

Patenet emphasizes that the online database is intended to assist scientists and invites researchers to help analyze these phenomena. He also mentions that other countries, like the UK and USA, systematically collect data on UFOs, with the US offering access to some cases through the Freedom of Information Act. France's approach, however, was to make everything accessible.

The announcement of the archives caused such a stir that security guards were posted at CNES headquarters. The website's server crashed shortly after its launch due to high traffic. The article provides the GEIPAN website address for access.

Astronauts Visit Copenhagen

The magazine also announces an upcoming visit to Denmark by astronauts from the Tycho Brahe Planetarium and the Danish Society for Space Research. Swedish astronaut Christer Fuglesang and his NASA colleagues were scheduled to visit Copenhagen on April 11-12, 2007. A public meeting was organized for April 11th, where the astronauts would share details about their recent successful space mission and answer questions. The event was open to the public, with free admission for members of the Planetarium and the Society, while non-members had to pay a fee. The article lists the participating astronauts, including Mark Polansky, William Oefelein, Robert Curbeam, Joan Higginbotham, and Nicholas Patrick. It also mentions that Thomas Reiter, a German ESA astronaut, would not be participating in this particular tour.

Additionally, the issue notes that the International Space Station (ISS) would be visible in the southern sky during the early morning hours in the coming period.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently covers UFO sightings, pilot testimonies, and official investigations into unexplained aerial phenomena. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, presenting evidence and reports from various sources, including official archives and personal accounts. There is a clear interest in making information accessible to the public and encouraging scientific investigation. The inclusion of space exploration news, such as the astronaut visit, suggests a broader interest in aviation and space phenomena. The magazine also actively encourages readers to share the UFO-mail with others, indicating a desire to disseminate information within the UFO community.