Philip J. Klass
Philip J. Klass (1919–2005) was an American electrical engineer and journalist, an editor at Aviation Week & Space Technology, one of the best-known skeptical researchers of UFO phenomena, and a founding member of CSICOP.
Philip J. Klass (1919–2005) was an American electrical engineer, journalist and aviation technology writer. He began his career as an engineer at General Electric, then from 1952 worked for decades at the trade magazine Aviation Week & Space Technology, where he primarily covered the aircraft electronics industry. He is often credited with popularizing the term "avionics" (aviation electronics). In the UFO field, he is regarded as one of the best-known skeptical researchers of the second half of the 20th century.
His work
Klass investigated UFO reports from the 1960s onward, and in his books he argued that famous cases can be explained by natural phenomena, errors or fabrication. His well-known works include UFOs Identified (1968), UFOs Explained (1974), UFOs: The Public Deceived (1983), UFO Abductions: A Dangerous Game (1988) and The Real Roswell Crashed-Saucer Coverup (1997). In his first book, he tried to explain certain sightings, including the 1965 Exeter case, as a ball-lightning-like plasma phenomenon. He later abandoned this hypothesis and emphasized the role of misidentifications and deception. From 1989 until his death, he published a newsletter titled Skeptics UFO Newsletter.
He also played a role in the skeptical movement: he was a founding member of CSICOP (Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal), established in 1976 and now operating as the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry, and was part of the community organized around the journal Skeptical Inquirer.
His position and reception
According to Klass, UFO cases are not caused by extraterrestrial craft, and he also rejected the accusation of government secrecy. His critics, including several ufologists, accused him of bias and an overly harsh tone. He himself regarded his work as objective, evidence-based inquiry. His disputes with well-known ufologists of the era, including atmospheric physicist James E. McDonald, Stanton Friedman and Budd Hopkins, are well-documented chapters in the history of the subject.
His works are still frequently cited in skeptical literature, while ufologists often dispute his conclusions.