THE QUESTIONNAIRE IN 1965

It is 1965 and you have seen something in the skies, you have contacted the Air Force Project Blue Book. You are interviewed. What questions would they have asked you?

They would have asked a set of standard questions to collected information as directed by paragraph 14, AFR (Air Force Regulations) 200.2.

(a). Description of the object

(1) Shape:

(2) Size: [compared with a nickel held in the hand at arm's length*]

(3) Color

(4) Number

(5) Formation

(6) Distinctive features

(7) Tail

(8) Sound

(b) Description of course of the object

(1) First sighted

(2) 

(3) Final sighting

(4) Disappearance (slow/fast)

(5) Flight path

(6) Object visible for how long

(c) Manner of observation

(1) Ground - visual

(2) Air - Visual

(3) Radar -visual

(4) No optical aids were used

(d) Time and date of sighting

(1) Local

(2) Date

(3) Light conditions: Day_____Night____

(e) Location of observer:

(f) Identifying information on observer

(g)Weather and Winds

(1) Observer's account

(2) Weather data (official sources)

(3) Wind direction and velocity

(4) Visibility

(5) Amount of cloud cover

(6) Thunderstorms

(7) Vertical temperature gradient

(h) Special or unusual meteorological conditions or activities

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These were the questions and the general order used in transmitting data via wire and phone as well as the paper copy of an interview or volunteered information.

Repeatedly, there was always a complaint about the lack of elevation, azimuth, and more technical readings as to location in a sky. Of course, there was often a complaint when more skilled observers provided them and they disagreed with the classification category of choice. 

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* - This would change to be a "match head" held at arm's length. Earlier the standard was a graduated choice of pea, dime, nickel, quarter, golf ball, grapefruit, baseball, basketball. In astronomy a dime can - if held out at arm's length - cover the moon.