UFOs - Leslie Kean [39]
As I drew nearer to the object, a second identical shape appeared beyond the first. Both objects were of a flattened disk shape with the same dark area to the right side. They were brilliant yellow with light emanating from them. I passed the information to Jersey air traffic control (ATC) and they initially said they had no contact. I pressed the point over the next few miles and the controller at Jersey, Paul Kelly, then said he had primary contacts south of Alderney. So here we were on a bright afternoon in May with two objects ahead getting closer and larger with no explanation as to what they were! I found myself astounded, but curious.
At this point, the passengers began to notice the unusual things and to ask about them. I decided not to make any announcement over the intercom so as not to alarm anyone, but it was obvious that some were getting concerned. By now the two identical objects were easily visible without binoculars, the second one behind the closer one, with exactly the same characteristics albeit farther away.
ATC then informed me that there were two reflections from primary radar, both to the southwest of Alderney. This was beyond my destination, for which I was glad as the objects were becoming uncomfortably close. Their brilliance is difficult to describe, but I was able to look at this fantastic light without discomfort. They both seemed to be stationary, but the radar traces later proved otherwise: they were actually moving away from each other at about 6 knots, one to the north, from the northern tip of Guernsey towards Casquettes lighthouse, the other moving south along the northwest coast of Guernsey.
Due to the haze layer it is unlikely that the objects were visible from the ground; however, after the event BBC radio received one uncorroborated report that one had been seen by a tourist staying at a local hotel in Sark, close to the Casquettes lighthouse.
Approaching the point to begin descent, twenty miles NNE of Alderney, I maintained an altitude of 4,000 feet to remain in good view of the objects. If they started to move off, I wanted to be able to take action to avoid them if at all possible.
Due to my close proximity, the dark area on the right of the nearest one now took on a different appearance at the boundary between the brilliant yellow and the dark vertical band. There appeared to be a pulsating boundary layer between the two differences in color, some sort of interface with sparkling blues, greens, and other hues strobing up and down about once every second or so. This was fascinating, but I was now well beyond our descent point and to be frank I was not too displeased to be landing.
My feelings at this time were mixed. The safety of the passengers is paramount and that always comes first, so to land was the priority. However, I was really intrigued with whatever was ahead of me, even though I was healthily trepidatious as well. If the aircraft had been empty, I would have gone a lot closer, perhaps overflown the nearest object to gather further information and satisfy my curiosity. However, I would never knowingly put passengers at risk. My last sight of the objects was whilst passing through 2,000 feet in the descent through the haze layer.
Throughout the whole encounter, which lasted fifteen minutes, there had been no interference with any of the aircraft systems or instruments, and radio communications were likewise unaffected.
Upon landing I asked if any of the passengers had seen anything unusual, without wishing to lead them, and told them if they had and should want to report it, to leave their name and number