About UFOs

The modern study of unidentified flying object phenomena (UFOs) is commonly held to have started with the report of Kenneth Arnold.

On Tuesday 24th June 1947 Arnold, a private pilot, reported "nine peculiar aircraft" near Mount Rainer, Washington State, USA. In fact there appear to have been many reports over the years before Arnold's report.

I n the UK there are reports of strange aerial phenomena back at least to the turn of the century. There is some evidence that reports may go back to ancient times, for example, the emperor Charlemagne in the year 810 was reported as thrown from his horse when a strange silver sphere came down from the sky.

There are many theories about the possible origins or nature of these phenomena including, amongst others, UFOs may be natural phenomena and UFOs may be advanced technology. BUFORA recognises that there are a number of explanatory hypotheses (over 30 at the last count) and does not advocate any particular theory. Approximately 90% of raw UFO reports can, after careful investigation, be reasonably explained as misidentifications of man-made or natural phenomena.

About BUFORA

BUFORA is a nationwide network of around a thousand people who have a dedicated, non-cultist interest in understanding the UFO mystery. Within that membership are many active investigators and researchers working with the direct claims of witnesses to collate the data necessary to bring that under- standing nearer.

BUFORA's research programme is constantly changing. Currently the Research section is working on major projects including:

• BOLIDE examining the reports of ball-of-light UFOs.
• The Pilot's Project collating the world-wide reports of UFOs by a specialist group of trained observers - pilots.
• Projects involving the psychology of perception; the various theories of UFO origin; and more.

There are currently fourteen separate programmes underway.

I nvestigation is constantly undertaken, with a team of over fifty principal investigators many of whom have been through the BUFORA training programme.

BUFORA disseminates its findings and updates through several means;

• Lecture programmes around the UK,
• A UFO telephone hotline and, most significantly,
• Publications.

BUFORA's principal publication is UFO TIMES,a bi-monthly magazine of current interest articles. From time to time BUFORA also publishes specialist reports and monographs on specific areas of the phenomenon.

T his electronic magazine you are now reading is its latest publishing venture.

Through its publications BUFORA broadcasts its purpose: to investigate, in a scientific manner, the phenomena associated with UFOs; to compare and share that data with like-minded organisations within the UK and abroad; and to publish its work to its members and the wider public.

Aims of BUFORA

The three aims of BUFORA are:

1. To encourage, promote and conduct unbiased scientific research of unidentified flying object (UFO) phenomena throughout the United Kingdom
2. To collect and disseminate evidence and data relating to unidentified flying objects
3. To co-ordinate UFO research throughout the United Kingdom and to co-operate with others engaged in such research throughout the world

Research and Investigation Activities

In pursuit of its aims, BUFORA supports active investigation and research teams. The investigation team carries out on site field investigation of cases, whilst the research team is involved in activities such as statistical research and technical support activities.

A number of major research projects are underway. These are described in the Research and Investigation section, but include computerisation of BUFORA's records and work in the field of witness lead investigation. These activities are backed up by a press cutting service and extensive libraries of case reports and published literature on UFO phenomena. The heads of both the investigation (Philip Mantle) and the research (Steve Gamble) teams are members of the Council of Management of BUFORA. Both are assisted in organising the activities of their sections by advisory committees made up of members with a special interest in these activities.

There are approximately 100 investigators and trainee investigators spread around the country. Trainee investigators are expected to work with an experienced investigator and to undertake a postal training course. These are supplemented by guidance notes. Investigators are expected to work to a Code of Practice.

Other Activities of BUFORA

BUFORA organises a national lecture programme at locations across the UK, including London, Liverpool and Newcastle. Meetings are also held at several regional centres around the country. BUFORA co-hosts meetings in association with local UFO groups.

Every other year BUFORA organises the International UFO Congress.

Members receive free of charge, six issues per year, of its regular publication UFO Times, which carries details of investigated reports and results of research projects. Members may also elect to receive six issues per year of the UFO Newsfile for an additional fee. UFO Newsfile is a collection of the best newspaper clippings received from BUFORA's newsclipping service. The UFO Times chief editor is Mike Wootten, UFO Newsfile is edited by Michael Hudson.

B UFORA operates, in conjunction with a commercial information provider, the "UFOcall" hot line, which carries information about reports, reviews and updates on events.

UFOCall 0891 12 18 86

I n recent years BUFORA has established its international reputation by its investigation and research work, and a number of major publications. BUFORA is a founder, and the main UK representative organisation of the International Committee for UFO Research (ICUR). BUFORA currently provides the Chairman (Robert Digby), the Secretary (Steve Gamble) and Treasurer (John Spencer) on the ICUR executive.

BUFORA is the publisher of the UFO Lexicon, which is an international glossary of UFO-related terms in ten languages. BUFORA is involved in a number of collaborative projects with other UFO groups both throughout the UK and the rest of the world.

BUFORA is actively seeking to promote local branches of its members throughout the UK and the rest of the world. BUFORA works with a number of local and regional organisations including the Cambridge UFO Group, the Northamptonshire UFO Research Centre and Skyscan.

Publications of BUFORA

Over several years BUFORA published the UFO World series which reviewed current UFO Investigation and Research throughout the world.

Other publications include:

• UFOs 1947 - 1987 (published by Fortean Tomes [1987]),
• Phenomenon (published in the UK by Macdonald Futura [1988] and by Avon in the United States),
• Fire in the Sky (BUFORA [1989]) ,
• Controversy of the Circles (BUFORA [1989]),
• The UFO Encyclopaedia (Headline [1991]),
• The Proceedings of the 8th BUFORA International UFO Congress (BUFORA [1995]).

BUFORA also took part in making the video UFO Review - The Researchers, produced by D.M.P. [1992].

Contact Details

Written enquiries - BM BUFORA, LONDON, WC1N 3XX
Telephone enquires - (01924) 444049
E mail enquiries - BUFORA
UFOCall, information hotline - (0891) 12 18 86
(premium rate call)