The University of Würzburg and the Luftfahrt-Bundesamt are cooperating in researching unusual phenomena in airspace. Pilots can report relevant observations to the university.
There are many reports from pilots who have sighted unknown flying objects or strange light or weather phenomena in the atmosphere while flying. Science uses the generic term Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP) for such phenomena – a definition that goes further than the previously used term UFO (Unidentified Flying Object).
UAPs are a global field of research. Despite numerous credible sightings, much is still unknown about the nature and origin of the phenomena. “Systematic investigations are crucial in order to collect reliable data, analyze it scientifically and gain sound knowledge from it,” says Hakan Kayal, Professor of Space Technology and Head of the Interdisciplinary Research Center for Extraterrestrial Studies (IFEX) at the University of Würzburg.
Among other things, IFEX is dedicated to scientific research into UAP. To gain new knowledge in this field, the research center recently set up a website where pilots can report unusual observations.
The German Luftfahrt-Bundesamt (LBA) supports this approach: it will therefore set up a link to the Würzburg IFEX reporting form on its website under the navigation “Incident reports of all kinds”.
As Hakan Kayal announces, the IFEX team will gradually expand the reporting form. Among other things, it will be integrated into a database and enable the upload of images and videos.
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UAP reporting form for pilots
