What do you think?
Rate this book
Unconventional Flying Objects: A Scientific Analysis
Paul Hill was a well-respected NASA scientist when, in the early 1950s, he had a UFO sighting. Soon after, he built the first flying platform and was able to duplicate the UFO's tilt-to-control maneuvers. Official policy, however, prevented him from proclaiming his findings. "I was destined," says Hill, "to remain as unidentified as the flying objects." For the next twenty-five years, Hill acted as an unofficial clearing house at NASA, collecting and analyzing sightings' reports for physical properties, propulsion possibilities, dynamics, etc. To refute claims that UFOs defy the laws of physics, he had to make "technological sense ... of the unconventional object." After his retirement from NASA, Hill finally completed his remarkable analysis. In Unconventional Flying Objects , published posthumously, he presents his findings that UFOs "obey, not defy, the laws of physics." Vindicating his own sighting and thousands of others, he proves that UFO technology is not only explainable, but attainable.
- GenresScienceMysteryNonfiction
432 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 1995
37 people are currently reading
403 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
August 17, 2014
Before I give my review, I must disclose that I was a recipient of "Unconventional Flying Objects" via Giveaways. Thank you to everyone who made this possible; it is always such a pleasure and privilege to review an author's work.
Paul R. Hill was quite obviously a well-schooled, intelligent individual whose knowledge of physics and aerodynamic astounds. He used his technical expertise and years of work as an NASA aeronautical engineer to methodically and scientifically prove certain observed and reported aspects of alien spaceflight could be scientifically viable.
Interestingly enough, this book is being published posthumously. Mr. Hill wrote the book while at NASA, but it could not be published until after his death. It is not hard to imagine reasons why NASA would frown upon one of their own taking such an interest in proving the possibility of "little green men" being able to enter our atmosphere and fly around.
Throughout the book, Mr. Hill recounts reported experiences and official filed reports as a preface to the concepts he is explaining, such as Saucer Dynamics or the reported humming sound the saucers make. This was by far the most interesting part of the book for me. Otherwise, some of the explanations presented by Mr. Hill, while impressive, tended to be above my reading ability. I don't consider myself an ignorant person; however, lacking a background in advanced math and/or physics, a good deal of the charts, equations, and explanations were above my knowledge base. I found myself skipping the technical sections and going to the chapter summaries for a concise explanation in more layman's terms.
This is a book that may be enjoyed by someone who has a more technical knowledge than I do of aerodynamics. Bear in mind that not all sections are as dense in mathematics as others and the recollections of reported sightings are interesting to read. I would give "Unconventional Flying Objects" four stars for the incredible amount of research and development that Mr. Hill put into proving the possibility of alien spaceflight being realistic; but would dock it a star for its readability. A solid three star book for the average reader.
Paul R. Hill was quite obviously a well-schooled, intelligent individual whose knowledge of physics and aerodynamic astounds. He used his technical expertise and years of work as an NASA aeronautical engineer to methodically and scientifically prove certain observed and reported aspects of alien spaceflight could be scientifically viable.
Interestingly enough, this book is being published posthumously. Mr. Hill wrote the book while at NASA, but it could not be published until after his death. It is not hard to imagine reasons why NASA would frown upon one of their own taking such an interest in proving the possibility of "little green men" being able to enter our atmosphere and fly around.
Throughout the book, Mr. Hill recounts reported experiences and official filed reports as a preface to the concepts he is explaining, such as Saucer Dynamics or the reported humming sound the saucers make. This was by far the most interesting part of the book for me. Otherwise, some of the explanations presented by Mr. Hill, while impressive, tended to be above my reading ability. I don't consider myself an ignorant person; however, lacking a background in advanced math and/or physics, a good deal of the charts, equations, and explanations were above my knowledge base. I found myself skipping the technical sections and going to the chapter summaries for a concise explanation in more layman's terms.
This is a book that may be enjoyed by someone who has a more technical knowledge than I do of aerodynamics. Bear in mind that not all sections are as dense in mathematics as others and the recollections of reported sightings are interesting to read. I would give "Unconventional Flying Objects" four stars for the incredible amount of research and development that Mr. Hill put into proving the possibility of alien spaceflight being realistic; but would dock it a star for its readability. A solid three star book for the average reader.
January 26, 2015
By far the best book written on UFO's! Easy for the novice to understand but also packed with scientific data supporting the existence of UFOs and explaining their means of propulsion. The author worked for years at NASA and was a well known aerospace engineer. He invented ram-jets ( the first jet engines), jet boards ( personal flying platforms) and was a chief scientist on the space station project. This is a "must read" for anyone interested in UFOs.
September 6, 2019
If you doubt the possibility of UFOs on the basis of their reported performance, this book will disabuse you of such perceptions. Paul Hill had the scientific chops to look at numerous UFO sightings, including his own, and determine that their reported performance is indeed within the realm of possibility. And he explains why in this book.
The math is quite involved, as you might expect from the man who designed the P-47 fighter as a junior aeronautical engineer. I fully and freely admit to skipping some sections of the book because I don’t have the math knowledge necessary to understand it, but the non-math portions of the book are more than enough to convince me that Hill has managed an important feat: Namely, he lays out a solid foundation for how UFOs might work that is consistent with modern human understandings of various fields of science.
The math is quite involved, as you might expect from the man who designed the P-47 fighter as a junior aeronautical engineer. I fully and freely admit to skipping some sections of the book because I don’t have the math knowledge necessary to understand it, but the non-math portions of the book are more than enough to convince me that Hill has managed an important feat: Namely, he lays out a solid foundation for how UFOs might work that is consistent with modern human understandings of various fields of science.
May 12, 2024
A NASA ENGINEER ARGUES THAT UFO TRAVEL IS SCIENTIFICALLY REASONABLE
Paul Hill worked for NASA-Langley (retiring in 1970); he finished this book in 1975, but it was not published until after his death. He wrote in the Introduction, “The sighting of what has ben taken to be unconventional vehicle-like objects in our skies has created great interest… Opinions have been sharply divided, and … emotions have rules… Both the believers and the nonbelievers have insisted on proof without avail until it is now widely accepted that the proof concept does not apply, since not one of the objects has been captured and therefore none can be subjected to laboratory tests in the scientific tradition. On the other hand, proof of nonexistence is even more remote. About the best that the challengers have come up with is that the phenomena as reported seem to defy the laws of physics as we understand them. They say that for this reason the reports cannot be believed. A major intent of this book is to show that UFOs obey, not defy, the laws of physics.” (Pg. 10) Later, he adds, “I seek the answers to unconventional objects in the physical sciences. Indeed, the main questions posed by the UFOs can best be formulated and asked in terms of the engineering sciences.” (Pg. 21)
He acknowledges, “Unconventional objects seldom create a roar or boom, even when moving at supersonic speed.” (Pg. 16) Nevertheless, he summarizes, “We have examined… the available types of data pertaining primarily to the structural properties of the UFO. This data includes the properties of weight, mass. Solidity, hardness, and density. The UFO properties in each case are not unlike the corresponding properties of Earth vehicles… These down-to-earth physical properties---that is, the similarity of the physical properties of unconventional flying machines to those of Earth machines---tend to confirm that the investigation and study of the UFO by means of the physical sciences is the correct approach… their retractable and adjustable landing gear also confirms that, structurally, here are ordinary machines as we know them.” (Pg. 38-39)
He states, “The building of small missiles containing computers, guidance, instrumentation, and telemeters to withstand 100 g loadings has been within the state-of-the-art for over two decades. Remarks to the effect that observed UFO accelerations would crush all known materials are very poorly founded.” (Pg. 49)
He says, “we may conclude that no silent UFO shoots out a propulsive jet. In the relatively silent world of UFOs that is a broad statement. To think that a dirigible UFO wake is a flame is also erroneous. A flame is defined as a gaseous exothermal (heat producing) reaction. That means a flame is hot, and radiates enough energy in the infrared and visible spectrum to be readily noticed nearby. Yet numerous UFO close encounters fail to demonstrate appreciable or even noticeable heat radiation, even when a UFO ‘flames up’ on coming to rest.” (Pg. 179)
He observes, “Strictly speaking, UFO occupants have never been known to trade anything. Whatever they had wanted they have taken, giving nothing in return. They are even meticulous on this point, as tokens of mutual contact seem to be nonexistent. UFOs have been known to take on water and minerals, and some observers are convinced that they take electric power from power lines. All three could be supplies, or possibly only samples. Even if we define their ‘trade’ as a one-way street, if they take very much of anything it is without our knowledge.” (Pg. 258)
He argues about the Relativistic effects making ‘on board time’ (rather than ‘observer time’): “The trip proceeds just as the stationary observer expects: observer time is distance divided by velocity. If the velocity is near light speed the time in years is slightly over the distance in light years to the observer. Meanwhile, on board the traveler is enjoying the time-ratio benefits. For him the trip time is drastically slashed, in an attractive manner… Traveling at the speed ratio of 0.866 cuts the travel time in half compared to a non-relativistic computation… [For speed ratios] of 0.99, 0.9999, and 0.999999, we see that every two decades increase in velocity ration cuts passenger trip time by a factor of 10! For example, traveling at a speed of [0.999999 of light speed] covers one light year of distance in … 12 hours and 35 minutes on board time, a piece of cake for the UFO operator who can make that speed.” (Pg. 264-265)
He goes on, “What does he [the space traveler] care that, in making a trip of nearly a hundred light years, Earth history moves ahead 100 years if the trip takes only six months of his time? It’s our wait, not his. Where is the problem for the traveler that people have been propagandized into believing?” (Pg. 266) He adds, “It is possible for an interstellar trip to be very short. The trip from our nearest neighbor, Alpha Centauri… made by accelerating at 140 g to a v/c is accomplished from a standing start to a standing finish in 6 weeks, 0.115 years.” (Pg. 271-272) He notes, “The slow trip… requires an on board time equal to half the distance in light years for distances above 10 light years… The fact trip … cuts all the travel times from stars within 100 light years to less than one year.” (Pg. 272)
He argues, “there is an important distinction to be made between the time experienced by the space traveler and the time which passes meanwhile on the home planet and on the planetary destination. The tremendous acceleration, speed, and energy capabilities displayed by UFOs make them well suited to capitalize on this distinction by the attainment of greatly reduced on board times realizable by approaching the speed of light. Even an approach to 90 percent of light speed gets the job done for the nearer stars. Higher fractions of light speed give attractive time reductions for longer trips. Don’t be misled by the countless statements in the literature that interstellar distances and the speed of light constitute some kind of barrier to space travel. There are only two paths to this conclusion: 1. Nobody in the universe has the technology to approach light speed. 2. Observer time is significant, and on board time is to be ignored. Both paths are false ones. The confused second view is the more common. Its proponents are using the observed time for light to travel as the shortest possible time for passage. Totally false.” (Pg. 278-279)
He summarizes, “Educated people who accept the data of the UFO pattern at face value usually concede the probability that UFOs are produced by civilizations having at their disposal technologies far in advance of those available to man. The advanced technologies relate mainly to vehicle propulsive fields. Being knowledgeable of U.S. Government secrets on propulsion, I have known from the start that UFOs could not possibly be of Earth-technology manufacture.” (Pg. 311)
He acknowledges, “Because of my career as a research scientist, in several instances such as the present one pertaining to UFO maneuvers, I have had advanced knowledge of UFO technology but was effectively muzzled by the NACA policy laid down by its Director… that UFOs are nonexistent. This policy impacted me in the form of specific orders from the front office to say nothing implicating the NACA with the UFO.” (Pg. 319)
He concludes, “Finally and most importantly, it must be said that in all UFO maneuvers the laws of physics with which we are familiar are adhered to. The laws of physics are not defied. Most statements to the contrary are the result of the observer not understanding the acute-angle turn, the sudden reversal, etc. Some observers have failed to differentiate between things happening quickly and things happening instantly. When events happen in fractional seconds, human observational capabilities are quite limited.” (Pg. 319-320)
He asserts, “Ten to 15 years ago scientific UFO opponents, quoting chemical rocket speeds as their basis, were taking the position that crossing interstellar space was virtually impossible. Today, the group has backed off from the impossibility idea. Their new spokesmen merely claim that interstellar trips are uneconomical; the trip planners cannot send out many vehicles because their energy resources are limited. If the UFO can ‘convert gravity into useable energy’ they have an energy supply everywhere and need not overtax the home planet. The ‘uneconomical’ argument becomes weak.” (Pg. 329)
This book will be “must reading” for anyone interested in the ‘scientific reality’ of UFOs and aliens.
Paul Hill worked for NASA-Langley (retiring in 1970); he finished this book in 1975, but it was not published until after his death. He wrote in the Introduction, “The sighting of what has ben taken to be unconventional vehicle-like objects in our skies has created great interest… Opinions have been sharply divided, and … emotions have rules… Both the believers and the nonbelievers have insisted on proof without avail until it is now widely accepted that the proof concept does not apply, since not one of the objects has been captured and therefore none can be subjected to laboratory tests in the scientific tradition. On the other hand, proof of nonexistence is even more remote. About the best that the challengers have come up with is that the phenomena as reported seem to defy the laws of physics as we understand them. They say that for this reason the reports cannot be believed. A major intent of this book is to show that UFOs obey, not defy, the laws of physics.” (Pg. 10) Later, he adds, “I seek the answers to unconventional objects in the physical sciences. Indeed, the main questions posed by the UFOs can best be formulated and asked in terms of the engineering sciences.” (Pg. 21)
He acknowledges, “Unconventional objects seldom create a roar or boom, even when moving at supersonic speed.” (Pg. 16) Nevertheless, he summarizes, “We have examined… the available types of data pertaining primarily to the structural properties of the UFO. This data includes the properties of weight, mass. Solidity, hardness, and density. The UFO properties in each case are not unlike the corresponding properties of Earth vehicles… These down-to-earth physical properties---that is, the similarity of the physical properties of unconventional flying machines to those of Earth machines---tend to confirm that the investigation and study of the UFO by means of the physical sciences is the correct approach… their retractable and adjustable landing gear also confirms that, structurally, here are ordinary machines as we know them.” (Pg. 38-39)
He states, “The building of small missiles containing computers, guidance, instrumentation, and telemeters to withstand 100 g loadings has been within the state-of-the-art for over two decades. Remarks to the effect that observed UFO accelerations would crush all known materials are very poorly founded.” (Pg. 49)
He says, “we may conclude that no silent UFO shoots out a propulsive jet. In the relatively silent world of UFOs that is a broad statement. To think that a dirigible UFO wake is a flame is also erroneous. A flame is defined as a gaseous exothermal (heat producing) reaction. That means a flame is hot, and radiates enough energy in the infrared and visible spectrum to be readily noticed nearby. Yet numerous UFO close encounters fail to demonstrate appreciable or even noticeable heat radiation, even when a UFO ‘flames up’ on coming to rest.” (Pg. 179)
He observes, “Strictly speaking, UFO occupants have never been known to trade anything. Whatever they had wanted they have taken, giving nothing in return. They are even meticulous on this point, as tokens of mutual contact seem to be nonexistent. UFOs have been known to take on water and minerals, and some observers are convinced that they take electric power from power lines. All three could be supplies, or possibly only samples. Even if we define their ‘trade’ as a one-way street, if they take very much of anything it is without our knowledge.” (Pg. 258)
He argues about the Relativistic effects making ‘on board time’ (rather than ‘observer time’): “The trip proceeds just as the stationary observer expects: observer time is distance divided by velocity. If the velocity is near light speed the time in years is slightly over the distance in light years to the observer. Meanwhile, on board the traveler is enjoying the time-ratio benefits. For him the trip time is drastically slashed, in an attractive manner… Traveling at the speed ratio of 0.866 cuts the travel time in half compared to a non-relativistic computation… [For speed ratios] of 0.99, 0.9999, and 0.999999, we see that every two decades increase in velocity ration cuts passenger trip time by a factor of 10! For example, traveling at a speed of [0.999999 of light speed] covers one light year of distance in … 12 hours and 35 minutes on board time, a piece of cake for the UFO operator who can make that speed.” (Pg. 264-265)
He goes on, “What does he [the space traveler] care that, in making a trip of nearly a hundred light years, Earth history moves ahead 100 years if the trip takes only six months of his time? It’s our wait, not his. Where is the problem for the traveler that people have been propagandized into believing?” (Pg. 266) He adds, “It is possible for an interstellar trip to be very short. The trip from our nearest neighbor, Alpha Centauri… made by accelerating at 140 g to a v/c is accomplished from a standing start to a standing finish in 6 weeks, 0.115 years.” (Pg. 271-272) He notes, “The slow trip… requires an on board time equal to half the distance in light years for distances above 10 light years… The fact trip … cuts all the travel times from stars within 100 light years to less than one year.” (Pg. 272)
He argues, “there is an important distinction to be made between the time experienced by the space traveler and the time which passes meanwhile on the home planet and on the planetary destination. The tremendous acceleration, speed, and energy capabilities displayed by UFOs make them well suited to capitalize on this distinction by the attainment of greatly reduced on board times realizable by approaching the speed of light. Even an approach to 90 percent of light speed gets the job done for the nearer stars. Higher fractions of light speed give attractive time reductions for longer trips. Don’t be misled by the countless statements in the literature that interstellar distances and the speed of light constitute some kind of barrier to space travel. There are only two paths to this conclusion: 1. Nobody in the universe has the technology to approach light speed. 2. Observer time is significant, and on board time is to be ignored. Both paths are false ones. The confused second view is the more common. Its proponents are using the observed time for light to travel as the shortest possible time for passage. Totally false.” (Pg. 278-279)
He summarizes, “Educated people who accept the data of the UFO pattern at face value usually concede the probability that UFOs are produced by civilizations having at their disposal technologies far in advance of those available to man. The advanced technologies relate mainly to vehicle propulsive fields. Being knowledgeable of U.S. Government secrets on propulsion, I have known from the start that UFOs could not possibly be of Earth-technology manufacture.” (Pg. 311)
He acknowledges, “Because of my career as a research scientist, in several instances such as the present one pertaining to UFO maneuvers, I have had advanced knowledge of UFO technology but was effectively muzzled by the NACA policy laid down by its Director… that UFOs are nonexistent. This policy impacted me in the form of specific orders from the front office to say nothing implicating the NACA with the UFO.” (Pg. 319)
He concludes, “Finally and most importantly, it must be said that in all UFO maneuvers the laws of physics with which we are familiar are adhered to. The laws of physics are not defied. Most statements to the contrary are the result of the observer not understanding the acute-angle turn, the sudden reversal, etc. Some observers have failed to differentiate between things happening quickly and things happening instantly. When events happen in fractional seconds, human observational capabilities are quite limited.” (Pg. 319-320)
He asserts, “Ten to 15 years ago scientific UFO opponents, quoting chemical rocket speeds as their basis, were taking the position that crossing interstellar space was virtually impossible. Today, the group has backed off from the impossibility idea. Their new spokesmen merely claim that interstellar trips are uneconomical; the trip planners cannot send out many vehicles because their energy resources are limited. If the UFO can ‘convert gravity into useable energy’ they have an energy supply everywhere and need not overtax the home planet. The ‘uneconomical’ argument becomes weak.” (Pg. 329)
This book will be “must reading” for anyone interested in the ‘scientific reality’ of UFOs and aliens.
Read
June 19, 2019Might possibly be correct but unfortunately no sane person could follow all the maths which tends to fall too often into the category of take my word for it, also it needed to be revised or at least with an appendix explaining if any of the science has changed over the years since it was written
Read
May 29, 2022This book breaks it down. Shape, movement patterns, sounds, beams, the person flying the UFO…etc. It talks about specific evidence supporting such (something accompanied with stories of peoples encounters with UFOs). There is a lot of math and such to go with it (very detailed).
July 31, 2014
Per FTC regulations, I received this book as a giveaway in the GoodReads First Reads program.
Premise 1) UFOs are real and have visited Earth.
Premise 2) They are subject to the same laws of physics that we understand.
Once you accept these two premises mentally, you are prepared to read this book. It would also help if you had a significant background in mathematics and physics, and possibly a little chemistry as well.
Despite what my wife says, this is not the fringe element that we're dealing with. This is a respected scientist whose investigations in to "unconventional spacecraft" led to an understanding of how these craft operate and why they're not "otherworldly" in a physical maneuvering sense. I'll admit that there is a leap of faith involved getting past the two aforementioned premises. I'll also admit that there are several chapters of this book where I just kept turning the pages because the equations and descriptions of the equations were well beyond my meager high school physics (or at least what I learned in that course). I've lived long enough to know that just reading words and numbers doesn't mean you understand what they represent.
Anyway, if you're of a mind to let go of preconceived notions, this book might be great. If you're looking for a reason to believe, this may help. If you're bound and determined that we're the only beings in the universe, you may want to reshelve this one because it doesn't help your cause.
Premise 1) UFOs are real and have visited Earth.
Premise 2) They are subject to the same laws of physics that we understand.
Once you accept these two premises mentally, you are prepared to read this book. It would also help if you had a significant background in mathematics and physics, and possibly a little chemistry as well.
Despite what my wife says, this is not the fringe element that we're dealing with. This is a respected scientist whose investigations in to "unconventional spacecraft" led to an understanding of how these craft operate and why they're not "otherworldly" in a physical maneuvering sense. I'll admit that there is a leap of faith involved getting past the two aforementioned premises. I'll also admit that there are several chapters of this book where I just kept turning the pages because the equations and descriptions of the equations were well beyond my meager high school physics (or at least what I learned in that course). I've lived long enough to know that just reading words and numbers doesn't mean you understand what they represent.
Anyway, if you're of a mind to let go of preconceived notions, this book might be great. If you're looking for a reason to believe, this may help. If you're bound and determined that we're the only beings in the universe, you may want to reshelve this one because it doesn't help your cause.
October 16, 2021
Very interesting book. Paul Hill, a NASA scientist had a UFO sighting in his youth which always stuck with him.
In the book he goes to deep detail with mathematical formulas and concepts from several of the Sciences to attempt to understand the physics behind the phenomenon. He also covers many other famous sightings and discusses those in detail too.
Well worth the read, and with the 2021 USA Military UFO report, now more than ever!
In the book he goes to deep detail with mathematical formulas and concepts from several of the Sciences to attempt to understand the physics behind the phenomenon. He also covers many other famous sightings and discusses those in detail too.
Well worth the read, and with the 2021 USA Military UFO report, now more than ever!
July 31, 2014
I received this as part of the good reads giveaway program.
While many people do not believe in UFO sighting this book by a former NASA scientist lays out the facts and explains the physics in a way that is hard to just dismiss. For anyone curious about the top this would be a great place to start and even if you still don't believe there is anything to it at the very least the book should give you some things to think about!
While many people do not believe in UFO sighting this book by a former NASA scientist lays out the facts and explains the physics in a way that is hard to just dismiss. For anyone curious about the top this would be a great place to start and even if you still don't believe there is anything to it at the very least the book should give you some things to think about!
Currently reading
April 30, 2010Scientific alalysis of the phenomenon of UFO sightings.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews