I know firsthand that the fear of this stigma is a major issue because I was the first active-duty pilot to come forward publicly about regular sightings of UAP, and it was not easy,” Ryan writes. “I have seen mysterious targets on radar myself and have spoken with pilots who have experienced near misses with mysterious objects off the Eastern Seaboard, which prompted unsafe evasive actions and mandatory safety reports. I spoke out about these incidents publicly in 2019—at great risk both to me personally, and to my profession—because nothing was being done.

It was not easy for Ryan to come forward and share his experiences with UAP, as he knew that other pilots would be reluctant to do the same. The fear of being ridiculed and ostracized is understandable, as this is the reaction to every reported sighting of strange objects in the sky. However, this stigma has persisted up to this point, and people who come forward with these types of reports often end up being labeled as crazy or hallucinating.

It is very important that the public does not attempt to undermine the testimony of experienced pilots who have reported experiencing UAP. According to Ryan, disregarding the issue or making unsubstantiated claims without any evidence is not acceptable. He also believes that doing so could threaten the safety of the country’s aviation industry.

In an unclassified assessment released to the US Congress on June 25, 2021, the ODNI stated that UAP poses a threat to national security and has the potential to affect the safety of flight. Most of the incidents that have been reported to the agency have been explained by man-made or natural phenomena. However, there are a small number that have not been explained.

Ryan and the members of the UAPIOC are focused on these cases due to the potential impact they could have on national security and aerospace safety. The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) established the committee to study and educate the public and the aerospace industry about the various risks associated with UAP. The committee is composed of experts from different fields, such as academics, military pilots, and radar engineers.

It is important to acknowledge the bravery of the individuals who have come forward and shared their experiences with UAP. The members of the AIAA UAPIOC committee are also diverse, with varying backgrounds and expertise. Their work is helping to develop a better understanding of the phenomenon.