MUFON PARIS MEETINGS 11TH JANUARY 2013 ‐ AILLERIS’ NOTES (UAP OBSERVATIONS REPORTING SCHEME)

MUFON PARIS MEETINGS 11th JANUARY 2013 -Ailleris’ notes (UAP Observations Reporting Scheme)-

1. Introduction introduce my own UAP research project. the true nature of the phenomenon, with th an eye towards scientific breakthroughs, On the 11 of January 2013, a series of and improving life on our planet; meetings took place in Paris between the c. Educate the public on the UFO American Mutual UFO Network (MUFON, phenomenon and its potential impact on David MacDonald), the French Unidentified 2. MUFON society; Aerospace Phenomena Study Group d. Ensure the Economic Viability of MUFON (GEIPAN, Xavier Passot) and various MUFON (http://www.mufon.com/), a such that the organization achieves its European Ufologists. These meetings were nonprofit volunteer organization created in mission and goals. organised by John Tomlinson, a French May 1969, represents today the largest MUFON Regional Director, and Jacky Kozan, American UFO American association. It On Saturday, several private meetings were one of the founders of the Academy of gathers 1100 volunteers and edits the held between the participants, notably . MUFON UFO Journal, a monthly magazine of between MUFON, GEIPAN, The Academy of approximately 24 pages. MUFON has always Ufology, EUROUFO, CISU and SIGMA‐3AF. The overall goal of the MUFON coming to been characterized by appointing regional Paris was to set the basis of an international representatives throughout the United scientific cooperation between MUFON and States and abroad. It currently has 3000 different European UAP organisations. One members worldwide in 39 countries. of the first priorities was to define some

cooperation between the MUFON and the Its current director, David MacDonald, GEIPAN, starting with the finalization of a director/CEO of Flamingo Air Inc and a memorandum of understanding regarding veteran pilot came to Paris with his wife, guidelines for sighting cases occured in Sharon McGee, who is actively involved at France and collected by MUFON. Besides the MUFON Headquarters (Cincinnati HQ, various individual meetings held during the Ohio) as Business Manager. day between the participants, a special MUFON presentation was organized on As clearly stated on the corporation’s Saturday evening by Guy Loterre (OVNI‐ website, the MUFON mission statement is Paris) and Jacky Kozan in Paris‐La Defense. “The scientific study of UFOs for the Benefit of Fig.1: J.Tomlinson, D. Mc Donald, X. Passot and J. Kozan Humanity’’ and its goals are as follows: My personal objective in participating to a. Investigate UFO sightings and collect the this day was to meet the various researchers, data in the MUFON Database for use by Cooperation GEIPAN/MUFON learn about the MUFON corporation, get researchers worldwide; In my judgment, one of the most important updated on the latest GEIPAN news, and b. Promote Research on UFOs to discover meeting was the one between MacDonald MUFON PARIS MEETINGS 11TH JANUARY 2013 ‐ 2 AILLERIS’ NOTES (UAP OBSERVATIONS REPORTING SCHEME)

and Passot. Its first purpose was to define a chemistry, engineering, biology, statistics to use a converted Cessna 152 into an Memorandum of Understanding concerning and earth sciences. To be nominated as a Unmanned Aerial Vehicle equipped with the way to deal with UAP observations which Board member, an individual must possess a remote control hardware and software, for had occurred over French territory and which minimum of a Bachelor of Science Degree verifying the existence of Space Warp. were collected by MUFON. These cases are and preferably an advanced science degree. According to the researchers, this discovery, essentially sightings made by English‐ will have far reaching implications for space speaking foreigners while crossing over the The SRB is led by MUFON’s Director of flights and terrestrial transportations, if French national territory. Passot and Research, Powell, and has three main confirmed. MacDonald agreed on starting a cooperation responsibilities. One is to improve MUFON’s between the two organisations and approved scientific status with the media, the scientific the content of a Memorandum of establishment, and the public. The second is Understanding. A second objective was that to function as advisers to the International MUFON wanted to pass the message that Director, the Director of Investigations, and – 3. Presentations they were motivated to collaborate with should a unique case arise – to provide the At the end of the afternoon, all participants GEIPAN in all areas where GEIPAN would necessary advice and/or help to the Star met in a Commercial center cafeteria of Paris wish to collaborate with them. Team. The third role of the SRB is to review La Defense, to listen to the MUFON and drive major science projects within presentation. The video recordings (duration In a nutshell and as far as I have MUFON and to review any scientific papers 1h39) of the evening presentations have understood, the following process should that are published under the MUFON name been uploaded on YouTube (courtesy of G. apply: MUFON will propose to witnesses who (Ref. MUFON UFO Journal, Jan. 2013). Loterre, OVNI‐Paris) at the following link report UFO observations over French http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c‐ territory, to directly send their sighting Overall, the SRB is the science arm of 5yIv9p1gs. As introduction to the main reports to GEIPAN for investigation. After a MUFON. As it was mentioned in Paris that an evening’s MUFON presentation, some witness has submitted his testimony, important aspect of this Board was the speakers first delivered short speeches: GEIPAN will perform a standard analysis of inclusion of some international partners, in the case. The investigation report will be view of sharing information and cooperating written in French and delivered to the whenever necessary, my intention is to GEIPAN national Director of MUFON (the conclusion establish soon contact with Robert Powell. Firstly, Xavier Passot (GEIPAN, will have been translated to English). After a http://www.cnes‐geipan.fr) summarized the period of approximately one week, if no One example of an excellent recent discussions that he had in the morning with objection is received, then the investigation detailed study made by Powell relates to the David MacDonald about the MUFON/ report will be published on the GEIPAN sightings of a UFO that apparently buzzed GEIPAN Project of Memorandum of website. In parallel, MUFON will be free to President Bush’s Texas ranch in 2008. Radar Understanding. He indicated that this publish the GEIPAN report on its website as a data from five different radar sites as well as document related to the treatment of the direct link from the GEIPAN website, or as a witness testimony were reviewed in detail. UFO sightings on French territory that had copy of the report, but specifying that it is a The thorough report can be consulted at: been collected (or will be in the future) by GEIPAN report. http://www.ufocasebook.com/pdf/mufonste MUFON. Passot confirmed that a formal phenvilleradarreport.pdf agreement had been reached between MUFON Science Review Board himself and MacDonald, and that a specific procedure would implemented as from now In support of MUFON’s mission for the MUFON Nebraska Space Warp on (ref. second paragraph of this page). scientific study of UFOs, the International Research In relation to MUFON scientific study, John Director along with the Board of Directors formed in July 2012 a Science Review Board Tomlinson informed me about some which directly reports to the International fascinating research conducted by the Director. MUFON‐Nebraska/Omaha UFO study Group. David Pares (Adjunct Professor at the University of Nebraska) and Matt Judah (Physics Student) conduct laboratory experiments aimed at demonstrating the existence of micro space warp.

As indicated on the SUFOR website (http://www.sufor.org/Projet_Space_Warp/S pace_Warp.htm), the Space Warp concept Fig.3: G. Bourdais, X. Passot (originally proposed by Miguel Alcubierre in 1994) is a method of stretching space in a wave which would in theory, cause the fabric Asked about how many French cases were of space ahead of a spacecraft to contract listed today on the MUFON database, Passot

Fig.2: MUFON SRB slide and the space behind it to expand. A ship answered not many. Kozan clarified this

would ride this wave inside a region known as point by stating that around 95 French cases The MUFON Science Review Board (SRB) a local warp bubble of flat space. Pares had been collected by MUFON during the consists of seven to nine scientists whose believes that this capability is created in period 1957‐2011. It should be noted that backgrounds are distributed across physics, nature under certain conditions and proposes MUFON PARIS MEETINGS 11TH JANUARY 2013 ‐ 3 AILLERIS’ NOTES (UAP OBSERVATIONS REPORTING SCHEME)

since this Paris meeting the following members. The CISU objectives are the important. statement for English speakers has been following: uploaded on the GEIPAN’s website a. to promote scientific study of UFO Finally, Russo informed the audience about (appearing by clicking on the upper right phenomena; the existence of the “EuroUfo.net” informal corner UK flag): b. to let information and documentation network (of which I’m a member). This group “ GEIPAN is a CNES (French national space circulate among researchers; is a virtual community of scientifically agency) service, funded by the French c. to coordinate nationally activities of oriented European UFO researchers, which government. Its mission is to collect reports of data collection, analysis and its diffusion. included in 2012 around 118 members from UFO or UAP (Unidentified Aerospace many different countries. Phenomena) sightings that have occurred over Russo underlined that CISU activities (http://www.euroufo.net/). the French territory, to provide explanation included firstly the investigation on UFO where possible, and to answer questions from sighting reports, secondly the filing and Commission SIGMA the general public. GEIPAN addresses mainly cataloguing of collected data and archiving After Russo, it was the turn of Alain the French population. Their staff is French‐ of any useful documentation, thirdly Boudier to briefly present the activities of speaking and understands English. The promoting analyses and research, and finally the French Commission SIGMA that he GEIPAN website is designed for the French providing information to its members and created in May 2008 within the Association population, but is of course open to all who can towards public education. Russo indicated of Aeronautics and Space (3AF) read French”. that CISU was dealing on average with 1300 (http://www.3af.fr/commission‐ UAP sightings reports per year. technique/sigma). It should be mentioned that a recent CNES management decision might have an impact This last statement intrigued me with on the GEIPAN functioning. The CNES respect to the French situation. Considering President (Y. d’Escatha) announced in that there is also in a second major January that he would be stepping down at organization (CUN) dealing with UFO the end of March when he would reach the research, therefore also collecting UFO

mandatory retirement age of 65 for heads of testimonies, it appears obvious that the government agencies in France. On 3 April, number of registered Italian UFO sightings is the French Council of Ministers appointed considerably higher than what is officially Jean‐Yves Le Gall as President of the CNES. collected in France. Indeed, in March 2013, The question naturally arises about whether the online GEIPAN statistics reflected for the new orientation will be given to the GEIPAN last three years the following number of UAP and if Le Gall will be providing more support cases: 2010 (89); 2011 (87); 2012 (62). Fig.6: A. Boudier to the GEIPAN mission compared to d’Escatha. Under the previous president, it is my opinion that GEIPAN’s existence Founded in 1972, the association is a French and activities were just “tolerated” by “Société Savante” in the fields of Aeronautics CNES management, as long as not too and Space. The 3AF technical committees much “noise” was created by GEIPAN. are one of the principal elements of the But I guess that this is not surprising the association. They provide three types of topic is highly controversial and considered mission: the collection and dissemination of as entertainment by many people. scientific and technical information, the study of specific scientific, technical and CISU techno‐economic topics, and the recognition After Passot, it was the turn of Edoardo of professional experts in the Aeronautics Russo (The Italian Center for UFO Studies and Space’ domains. or CISU, http://www.cisu.org/) to shortly Within this structure, the SIGMA present the CISU activities. Founded in 1985, Fig.5: GEIPAN stats (May 2012) commission goal is to study Unidentified CISU is a private, nonprofit organization Aerospace Phenomena and in particular to: based on volunteer work of its unpaid However, one shall recognize that the a. Analyse official declassified methods of collecting UAP sightings in these documents (from France and other two countries differ. GEIPAN only takes into countries); account UAP sightings that are transmitted b. Organise meetings with relevant

to them via the National Gendarmerie or important institutions and researchers interested or associated with the PAN other official organisms (e.g. the Army Air Force, the Civil Aviation), and not the ones topic; directly communicated by the general public. c. Perform some detailed analyses of Still such a major difference raises the evidence (e.g. pictures, films, question about whether the number of testimonies, samples). GEIPAN reports really provides a reliable indicator on the number of French UAP At its inception, the SIGMA commission observations. Alternatively, one could claim comprised around 14 eminent scientists and that only the most interesting cases reach military persons (e.g. Astrobiologist A. Brack, Fig.4: E. Russo GEIPAN and therefore the difference is not Army General P. Bescond, European MUFON PARIS MEETINGS 11TH JANUARY 2013 ‐ 4 AILLERIS’ NOTES (UAP OBSERVATIONS REPORTING SCHEME)

Astronaut J.F. Clervoy, GEIPAN Expert F. MacDonald recalled the MUFON mission increasing. Obviously one will have to look Louange). In May 2010, the first progress statement: “The Scientific Study of UFOs for in detail at the quality of these reports before report of the SIGMA commission was the Benefit of Humanity” and pointed out producing more precise and useful UFO released. Nowadays it can be consulted at that applying the was the statistics. the following link: heart of what MUFON is about. MacDonald http://www.openminds.tv/wp‐ then underlined the role of the newly created A quick Reference was made by MacDonald content/uploads/Rapport_Etape_Com.SIGM MUFON Science Review Board (ref. page 2) regarding the MUFON Case Management A_Juin2010.pdf. and commented that the most unique cases will be brought to this panel of scientists for In Paris, A. Boudier indicated that the final cold eyed assessment. report of the Commission SIGMA was planned to be issued in April 2013. We will be looking forward to discover its content, conclusions and also to understand if this final report reflects the opinion of all its members or if it is the opinion of mainly Boudier himself. MUFON Presentation Fig.11: MUFON presentation David MacDonald gave then his presentation, with the translation into French assured by Jean‐Luc Rivera (editor‐in‐ Fig.9: MUFON presentation chief of “The Fortean Gazette”, published in French). Until February 2012, MacDonald was a member of the MUFON board of Directors and State Director for Kentucky, before becoming MUFON International Director replacing Clifford Clift.

Fig.12: MUFON presentation

System (CMS). This is an interesting new

Fig.10: MUFON presentation internet based sighting and reporting system, recently added on the MUFON Furthermore, in order to maximize its website. It allows customized search of the chances of retrieving hardcore data for sightings database by various factors (e.g. scientific analysis and obtaining first‐hand date, event country, event state (USA), eye witness testimony, MUFON has created shape, color, distance from witness, Fig.7: Jean‐Luc Rivera, David MacDonald a rapid response unit called a “STAR Team”. presence of entity), a look at the last twenty This group ( STAR standing for Strike Team sightings, and displays a real‐time UFO map The first part of the MacDonald Area Research) is composed of highly trained (USA). I have tried myself and the tool works presentation was aimed at providing to the Field Investigators equipped to go anywhere well, allowing me for example to consult audience a general introduction to MUFON, within 24 hours in the USA that a high‐ some French cases and uploaded UFO in terms of structure and objectives: Who impact UFO event occurs. pictures. To review the CMS data yourself, they were, what they were and what was go to www.mufon.com and click on the top their vision (illustrated by the next three After this general overview, MacDonald slides). provided some statistics about UFO sighting reports received by MUFON. As indicated on the following two slides, a considerable number of testimonies was registered by MUFON in 2012 (8400). It was interesting to hear that on average 15 reports per month include a landing case or a UFO sighting at close distance, that observations of “entities” were still made, and that around 10% of the cases remained unexplained after study.

MacDonald also commented that the Fig.8: MUFON presentation number of UAP cases seemed to be Fig.13: Sample CMS data MUFON PARIS MEETINGS 11TH JANUARY 2013 ‐ 5 AILLERIS’ NOTES (UAP OBSERVATIONS REPORTING SCHEME)

right rectangle: “UFO Case Files”. Obviously some type of colored plastic, but transparent thought if I ever saw one, that I would be brave if you are a MUFON State Directors or Field enough that the lights underneath could shine and take pictures and size it up. I was so Investigator, more functionalities are open to through. scared and I had an innate feeling that if I you. didn't leave fast, something bad was going to I never saw a shape or even any type of happen. This is a very small town and I do not The third and last part of MacDonald’s talk structure behind the lights. Within 10‐15 want any notoriety, if you wish to do an was about a specific event, the Buffalo seconds the lights had reached the dirt road in investigation or speak to anybody from this Oklahoma UFO case, from May 2009. front of me, and were crossing over the top of area about this incident, please contact me MacDonald personally investigated this case the power lines. It became apparent that the first. Thank you.” at the time. This proved to be a very lights were slowing down as they got closer, interesting UFO event as it not only included and were now nearly at a complete stop. I MacDonald investigated the flattened the analysis of soil samples but because it turned and ran from the corral to my pickup grass, which included a swirled pattern (ref. also gave MacDonald the opportunity to and jumped inside, which took about 15 Fig. 15). Vegetation and soil control samples witness his first (and to this day only) UFO. seconds, because I was wearing flip flops. were extracted from within the affected The following text is the original witness Once in the pick‐up I was now facing north, zone and from outside it. The analysis statement that I have extracted from the and the lights had moved just behind the revealed that all the chlorophyll and moisture CMS(CMS Case # 17125) and that corral and had turned south, facing me again. were gone. No water could be absorbed MacDonald presented throughout a series of THE LIGHTS WERE SITTING COMPLETELY within the affected zone. Interestingly, three slides. STILL, HOVERING, ABSOLUTELY NO weeks later the same witness photographed MOVEMENT, other than the strobing white some other unidentified lights flying above light. her house. She provided to MUFON the Buffalo Oklahoma,May 18, 2009, following (unusable) picture. 3 lights blue red The distance between me and the lights at strobing white light. this point was probably around 150'. I felt it was a single craft, and judging by the distance

of the lights from end to end, would have been anywhere from 25' to 50', I cannot judge distance very well, plus I was busy running to my vehicle. I lean more toward 40‐50'. For about another 5 seconds I fumbled trying to find my cellphone, and staring at the lights in disbelief.

th Fig.16: Buffalo’ s witness picture 18 June 2009

Fig.14: MUFON Buffalo Oklahoma UFO While performing his investigation, “I was feeding my horses last Sunday about MacDonald, the witness and her husband 12:30am. I was standing facing west, all of the observed a phenomenon near the house that sudden some very low flying lights caught my they could not identify: Five fluorescent eye. I first noticed that the lights were flying lights in a triangle silently going around the very low, and then that they were going way night sky. This observation represented For too slow to be an airplane. There was a blue, Fig.15: Buffalo’s ground MacDonald his first and only UFO red, and white strobing light and they experience. Although he is an experienced This was the most terrifying moment I have appeared to have just flown over Buffalo. The plane pilot, he still does not know what this experienced, I threw the pick‐ up in reverse, lights were large and in line with each other, phenomena was. MacDonald finally then drove forward, and when I got to the gate with quite a bit of distance in between all indicated that due to the complexity of the leading out of the pasture, I stopped looked three. The middle light was white and strobed Buffalo Oklahoma UFO case, the over my shoulder, the lights were still sitting in very slowly, and the red/blue lights were on investigation is still on‐going. the same place, NOT MOVING. I couldn't go the ends. The lights turned and were coming towards town without passing close by the directly towards me at a diagonal angle. The The Academy of Ufology lights, so I turned south and laid the pedal white light was covered with a round, concave, The final speaker of the evening was Jacky down. About a 1/4 mile down the road, I clear, glass‐type covering which appeared to Kozan, who rapidly presented The Academy turned and looked over my shoulder, and the be very thick glass, and had some type of of Ufology (http://www.ufolog.eu/eng/) lights were nowhere there, or anywhere in circular design on it. The red and blue lights throughout two slides. The first one depicted sight. Since the incident I have driven behind were different than the center light. They were the number of persons currently affiliated to the corral and a large portion of the grass is tall and cylinder shaped, more like beacons, this structure (around 90 persons) and their laid down, which may be due to wind current, I and they appeared to be sitting on top of related locations (16 countries). It should be took some pictures of that area. I have been something. They appeared to be covered by a noted that The Academy aims at developing fascinated by the UFO phenomenon since the different type of material, it looked more like its structure internationally, based on its massive sightings in TX/PA in 2008, and MUFON PARIS MEETINGS 11TH JANUARY 2013 ‐ 6 AILLERIS’ NOTES (UAP OBSERVATIONS REPORTING SCHEME)

members. In this respect, an Academy Its objective is to become the qualified I’m already looking forward to a potential already exists in the USA and another one intermediary between the public in search of 2014 follow‐up meeting. will soon be created in Argentina. Kozan serious and reliable information and the made clear that the persons belonging to ufologists working in the associations. Each OOO The Academy of Ufology are also de‐facto member is committed to taking part in the members of MUFON. improvement of ufology by sharing his knowledge and participating in the The second slide focused on France (see Academy’s activities, according to his Fig. 17) and its structure (National and personal means. As a commitment to Regional representations). Kozan mentioned quality, the members of the Academy of that the first contacts between The Academy Ufology must accept and respect a strict of Ufology and MUFON originated from code of ethics. This document was approved 2007, just after he had created the in 2006 by the original 17 founders of the association. During this year he travelled to Academy. It can be found at the following the USA to initiate collaboration with address: American ufologists. http://www.ufolog.eu/eng/?/Presentation/de ontology In line with what had been previously mentioned, Kozan’s presentation meant that effectively a picture of the MUFON structure in France had been shown to the audience, and not only one of The Academy of 4. Concluding Ufology. Furthermore this also implied that the cooperation between the MUFON remarks American headquarters and GEIPAN would My personal opinion is that this day has be realized via The Academy of Ufology. been very successful. All discussions between GEIPAN/MUFON activities described on the different ufological associations and actors page 2 of these notes (e.g. translation and Fig.18: MUFON UFO Journal cover February 2013 have been conducted in a very open and adaptation of the French reports, contacting cooperative manner. GEIPAN has shown that the witnesses, transfer of the files to the it was willing to cooperate not only with GEIPAN) will be realized by MUFON’s French French investigators and associations, but structure, i.e. The Academy. also with MUFON. We should thank Passot For the readers’ interest, I add here below a for his attitude and recognize his efforts, few explanations about The Academy of while trying to help him in his endeavors Ufology that I have extracted from the whenever possible. The importance of the Internet. Created in July 2007, this structure fact that for the first time GEIPAN, despite

is a virtual place where the members share having a national limited mandate, has accepted to cooperate with a private their efforts to improve the knowledge of the UFO phenomenon, according to their organization outside Europe should not be under estimated. This is real progress. personal means. The Academy has no budget, no financing, and aims to promote The MUFON presentation was very well and organize the scientific and historical accepted by all participants and undoubtedly study of ufology. MacDonald made a very good impression. His charisma, vision of international cooperation for combining resources worldwide to solve the UFO enigma, and the openness that he demonstrated during that day for sharing information and cooperating whenever necessary, were perceived as genuine and more than welcome. It is clear that the French MUFON representatives are strongly motivated for developing in France a coherent and effective MUFON ufological

organization, while at the same time setting up other MUFON structures across Europe.

Overall, I was satisfied that the need for a Fig.17: J. Kozan serious, objective UAP study, using scientific method of investigations, was emphasized by all actors, and the basis for an international scientific cooperation were set.