◆ SpookStack

resources currently available in terms of personnel and budget allocations do not permit a response with the efficacy desired. 6.3 Participation of the Air Force Just after World War II, the first reports of French aeronautic UFO sightings were collected and archived by the Air Force Chief of Staff's Office of Planning and Studies (EMAA/BPE). When GEPAN was created, a memorandum of understanding defined the respective roles of the two agencies for the processing of information relating to cases of military aeronautic sightings. In principle, all UFO sightings must be reported to the military air [traffic] control center in question, which forwards the information to the Air Operations Center (CCOA) in Taverny. The latter is responsible, in collaboration with the Air Force Chief of Staff's Space Office, for forwarding it to GEPAN/SEPRA. At the same time, all radar information is recorded in the radar control centers and kept for a minimum of one month and longer on request. This information is made available to investigators if needed. A protocol established with the Army defines the conditions for the forwarding of information collected in flight by pilots of the Army Air Corps (ALAT). 6.4 Participation of the Civil Aviation Authority The same type of organization and procedures is used by the civil aviation authority to collect and process the information relating to UFO sightings made by civilian pilots. A protocol signed between the Civil Aviation Directorate (DGAC) and CNES permits GEPAN/SEPRA to have access to UFO sighting reports drafted by national and foreign airlines crews. To this end, a sighting report form prepared jointly by DGAC and GEPAN/SEPRA is made available to crews at the air [traffic] control centers of the civil aviation authority and airlines. In addition, the radio conversations between the crew and the air [traffic] control [center] are routinely recorded and attached to the detailed sighting report. There is also a regulation concerning flight incidents that could involve safety. In this case, the flight captain must follow the “‘Airmiss” procedure, which routinely triggers an investigation by the DGAC. 6.5 Additional Research Resources Numerous civilian (public or private) and military bodies contribute to the expert appraisals performed in investigations and work by GEPAN/SEPRA. This involvement takes place at two levels, either in the collection of data in the field and the utilization of sighting reports or in the analysis of data after the expert’s appraisal and the theoretical and experimental research that are deemed necessary. Cooperation agreements have been established, particularly with various bodies that can benefit in return from the results of investigations of interest to their own area of study,