◆ SpookStack

labeled CE3s (close encounters of the third kind) according to the classification proposed by Professor A. Hynek, an astronomer and consultant to the USAF, within the context of the Blue Book Project (cf. Chapter 9.1). 7.3 Typology of UAP Ds The detailed statistical analysis of UAP Ds enables a precise determination of the distribution of their physical characteristics: speed, acceleration, silence, shape, effects on the environment. It is interesting to note that statistical studies in the USSR yielded distributions comparable to those determined by Claude Poher, the first head of GEPAN, from some 200 French cases, or 1,000 cases worldwide. It would be desirable to be able to develop UAP D statistical studies in France. 7.4 Investigations of Remarkable Cases Around one hundred investigations have been conducted by GEPAN/SEPRA. Some of them have highlighted rare physical atmospheric phenomena associated, for example, with lightning; others have revealed unusual psychological behavior of witnesses caused, for example, by taking hallucinogenic drugs. Several very in-depth investigations based on analyses of evidence have demonstrated, in the end, the physical presence of a phenomenon the nature and origin of which remain unknown. Two cases related in Chapter 4 stand out in our minds, the Trans-en-Provence case of January 8, 1981, and the “Amaranth” case of October 21, 1982. The investigations lead us to believe that double- saucer-shaped objects were close to the ground for some time, then departed toward the sky leaving traces on the vegetation and, in the Trans-en-Provence case, on the ground itself. They are detailed in GEPAN technical memoranda no. 16 and no. 17 (see the reference list in Chapter 6). 7.5 Aeronautical Cases 7.5.1 Data on French Aeronautical Cases - Twelve French aeronautical cases have been brought to the attention of GEPAN/SEPRA,; only three or four of these can be considered to fall into category D. - The first UAP D case identified dates back to 1951. It involved Vampire military aircraft in the Orange area. In two other very extraordinary sightings, which are presented in Chapter 1, military pilots reported the presence of objects with aeronautical performances inconsistent with the maneuvers of classic aircraft over the region of Tours in 1976 and of Luxeuil in 1977. However, not until January 28, 1994, was the crew of a regularly scheduled Air France commercial airplane able to collect the first case of a visual sighting correlated with a radar detection over 50 seconds lon (see Chapter 1.3). —a—see»»menddal Cetection over 5U seconds long 7.5.2 Aeronautical UAP D Cases Worldwide The aeronautical UAP D cases known since 1942 were initially enumerated in a document entitled Rencontres dans le ciel [Encounters in the Sky], by Dominique Weinstein, the French portion of which SEPRA contributed to. The list of sightings