SUBJ: REPORTING OF UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECTS (RIS: AT 7230-96)

1. PURPOSE. This notice establishes procedures for reporting of unidentified flying objects (UFO’s) by air traffic control specialists.

2. EFFECTIVE DATE. April 20, 1967.

3. REFERENCES. Aeronautical Communications and Pilot Services Handbook 7300.7.

4. BACKGROUND. The University of Colorado is conducting a study project on UFO’s. One of their problems is to develop detailed and credible data. Since air traffic control specialists are skilled observers and in many facilities have access to radar, their cooperation is invaluable to the project success.

5. PROCEDURES. All reports submitted for this project are on a voluntary basis, but it should be noted that reports will be held in strict confidence and no details of sightings or names of persons will be released to news media. Telephone reports of radar UFO sightings shall not include names of radar sites from which the data was derived. This is to preclude release of classified information on joint-use radar.

   a.	Initial reports on UFO sightings should be transmitted immediately on the FTS system to the University of Colorado by dialing 8-303-447-1000 and requesting phone number 443-6762. When the switchboard operator at the University of Colorado answers, advise that the Federal Aviation Agency is calling with a UFO report and the party designated to accept the call will be connected.
   b.	Report should be brief and include such information as: Time, place and duration of sighting.

	Method of observation (radar, visual or both). Do not include name of radar site. Number of objects seen. Size, distance and motion of object. Name of person calling and facility of employment.
c.	After initial reports of sightings, a later fallow up by Universtiy of Colorado and collaborating scientists at other universities will take place in the form of interviews. Interviews will be conducted only on those sightings that hold special interest for UFO research and will be held at the convenience of the personnel. If the interview concerns a UFO sighting derived from joint-use radar, security clearances at the secret level must be confirmed for the interview group. A listing of those persons cleared will be provided to the air route traffic control centers through Compliance and Security channels.
d.	Sighting information received from outside sources shall be handled as specified in Handbook 7300.7, paragraph 463.