Unusual Sightings Reporting Instructions

This document is a formal communication from the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Headquarters Home Command, dated November 21, 1953, regarding the standardisation of reporting procedures for 'unusual sightings.' The correspondence informs various RAAF units that the previous pro-forma, introduced in January 1951, has been superseded by a revised version designed to capture more accurate data. The document acknowledges the inherent difficulty observers face in judging the distance of unfamiliar aerial objects. To mitigate this, the new instructions focus on measurable attributes: bearing, angle of elevation, the angle through which an object moves, the angle between the path of movement and the horizon, and the time taken for the movement. The RAAF provides guidance on how investigators can help observers estimate these values, such as using a foot rule at arm's length to subtend angles or having the observer re-enact the incident to estimate elapsed time. The document includes a copy of the 'Report on Aerial Object Observed' form, which lists 27 specific questions for observers and interrogators. Notably, the document includes a disclaimer stating that these instructions do not arise from any renewed interest in 'Flying Saucers' or new intelligence on the subject, but are strictly intended to improve the standard of reporting. Additionally, the file contains a copy of a 1960 communication regarding the atmospheric reentry of Sputnik III (58-D-2), which provides instructions for reporting sightings of the decaying rocket body, including its appearance, trajectory, and potential sound effects.