Department of Air File 580/1/1: Reports on Flying Saucers and Other Aerial Objects

This document is a compilation of records from the Department of Air (File 580/1/1, Part 15) concerning reports of 'flying saucers' and other aerial objects in Australia during 1971. The file serves as a repository for correspondence between the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) and the public, as well as internal RAAF reports on the investigation of these sightings. The records demonstrate the RAAF's standard operating procedure for handling UFO reports, which involved forwarding inquiries to the Department of Air, conducting investigations through local RAAF bases, and maintaining a registry of sightings. Several specific incidents are detailed, including reports from pilots and civilians. For instance, a report from Captain L.R. Ballard describes an unusual aerial sighting on September 20, 1971, which was later attributed to an 'Aero High' launch from Woomera. Another report from Mr. P.W. Metz in September 1971 describes an egg-shaped object, which was investigated by RAAF Amberley. The file also includes correspondence with members of the public, such as Lynda Howe and Paul Coker, who requested information on UFO sightings for school assignments or lectures. The RAAF's internal assessments often concluded that sightings were explainable by natural phenomena, such as meteorological balloons, planets (like Venus or Mars), or aircraft. The file also contains internal minutes discussing the closure of the file due to an excess number of folios and the reclassification of documents to 'UNCLASSIFIED' in 1982. The records reflect the RAAF's administrative approach to UFO phenomena during the early 1970s, emphasizing the use of standard questionnaires and the involvement of local commands in evaluating reports.