Private Pilot

Kenneth Arnold (1915–1984) was an American private pilot whose June 24, 1947, sighting near Mount Rainier, Washington, marked the modern genesis of UFO lore. Flying a CallAir A-2, he observed nine shiny objects moving at extraordinary speeds exceeding 1,200 mph, describing their motion as 'like saucers skipping on water,' coining the term 'flying saucers.' This credible account, reported in newspapers, sparked a wave of sightings and public fascination with UFOs. Arnold, a businessman and search pilot, continued discussing the event, rejecting conventional explanations like missiles. His testimony influenced early ufology, though no publications or further UAP research roles are noted. Nationally recognized, he died in 1984.