FAA Clarifies UAP Reporting Protocols for Pilots Amid Rising Public Interest

Recent high-profile discussions regarding Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP) have brought renewed attention to how the United States government handles such reports. For the aviation sector, the process is not ambiguous; it is guided by established protocols designed to ensure safety and aid national security investigations.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) provides clear instructions for pilots who observe phenomena they cannot identify. The primary procedure involves pilots immediately reporting the sighting to the appropriate air traffic control facility. This initial report is crucial for maintaining situational awareness and ensuring the safety of all aircraft in the vicinity.

The Official Reporting Channel

Once a pilot makes a report, it is formally documented as a Pilot Report (PIREP). These reports are then forwarded by the FAA to a specialized government entity. The designated recipient for this data is the Pentagon's All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO).

Established to succeed the earlier Unidentified Aerial Phenomena Task Force (UAPTF), AARO is responsible for detecting, identifying, and attributing objects of interest in, on, or near military installations and other areas of national security concern. The data from civilian pilots provides a critical source of information for their analysis, complementing military sensor data.

Regulatory Framework for UAP Sightings

The FAA's internal procedures are outlined in FAA Order JO 7210.3, which contains a section specifically on "Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP) Reports." This directive ensures that all FAA personnel handle these reports in a standardized manner, collecting essential details such as location, altitude, size, shape, and observed movements of the object.

This marks a shift from previous guidance in the Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM), which once advised citizens to contact non-governmental organizations. The current framework centralizes all official aviation-related UAP data within the Department of Defense, underscoring the government's focus on potential national security implications rather than the extraterrestrial origins often discussed in public forums.

Ultimately, the structured reporting process is designed to achieve two main goals: protecting the National Airspace System from potential hazards and providing actionable intelligence to defense agencies. For pilots, following these protocols is the most effective way to contribute to both aviation safety and national security.

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