The Channel Islands UFO Sighting

On April 23, 2007, Captain Ray Bowyer, piloting an Aurigny Air Services flight near the Channel Islands, observed two bright yellow, flat objects that appeared to be a mile wide. Passengers also witnessed the objects, which were tracked on radar and confirmed by another pilot in the area.

The Primary Witness

Captain Ray Bowyer was an experienced airline pilot with 18 years of flying experience. He was piloting a Trislander aircraft en route to Alderney, serving as a credible professional observer.

The Sighting

At approximately 2:00 PM, Bowyer noticed a bright yellow light to the west of Alderney. The object appeared cigar-shaped and flat with pointed ends, emitting an extremely bright glow.

The Objects

Two objects were seen during the encounter. The first one was initially observed, followed by a second that appeared identical. Both were estimated to be up to a mile wide, displaying a brilliant yellow color while remaining stationary or moving very slowly.

Passenger Confirmation

Several passengers aboard the aircraft saw the objects after the captain pointed them out. They corroborated his observation, providing multiple independent witnesses who all saw the same thing.

Second Aircraft

Another pilot, Captain Patrick Patterson, was flying a different route when he also saw an object in the area. He provided independent confirmation and reported his sighting to Jersey Air Traffic Control.

Radar Confirmation

Air traffic control at Jersey radar tracked returns in the vicinity of the sightings. These unusual targets confirmed the visual positions and created an official record of the event.

Official Investigation

The case was examined by the Civil Aviation Authority, the Ministry of Defence, and independent researchers. No explanation was found, and the case remained open.

Bowyer’s Position

The captain spoke publicly about the sighting and maintained his account. He drew what he saw, never wavered in his testimony, and continues to discuss the case to this day.

Atmospheric Explanation?

Some proposed explanations included sun dogs or atmospheric effects. However, these didn’t match the characteristics of what was observed. The presence of two objects argued against natural phenomena, and the radar returns remained unexplained, making these proposals unsatisfactory.

Significance

The Channel Islands case is significant for having a professional airline pilot as witness, passenger corroboration, separate aircraft confirmation, radar tracking, and an official investigation.

Legacy

The Channel Islands UFO sighting represents one of the most credible pilot sightings of the 2000s. Captain Bowyer’s professionalism, the multiple witnesses, and radar confirmation make it compelling evidence of genuinely unexplained aerial phenomena.