How CEFAA and SEFAA Monitor UFO Reports

Introduction

Chile’s official approach to unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP), often colloquially termed “UFOs”, is anchored in formal aviation safety and scientific method rather than speculative investigation. The Chilean government has maintained a dedicated body since 1997—originally the Comité de Estudios de Fenómenos Aéreos Anómalos (CEFAA) and since 2021 reorganised as the Sección de Estudios de Fenómenos Aéreos Anómalos (SEFAA). This unit, embedded within the Dirección General de Aeronáutica Civil (DGAC), receives, analyses and classifies reports of anomalous aerial phenomena occurring in Chilean airspace, with the principal goal of assessing whether they pose any risk to aviation safety. [SEFAA]sefaa.dgac.gob.clSEFAAHistoria – SEFAA– SEFAAHISTORIA ORIGEN DE LA SEFAA Image Los Fenómenos Aéreos Anómalos se reportan oficialmente en Chile desde el año 1968 en dependencia…

Historical Formation and Mandate

The precursor to today’s SEFAA traces back to official reporting structures for anomalous aerial sightings as far back as 1968 in Chile’s meteorological office. However, the modern institutional framework began on 3 October 1997 with the creation of the Comité de Estudios de Fenómenos Aéreos Anómalos (CEFAA) by Resolución Exenta N° 01599 of the DGAC. Its establishment responded to increasing reports from pilots, air-traffic personnel and the public about unusual aerial phenomena, particularly highlighted by a series of sightings in Arica in 1997. [SEFAA]sefaa.dgac.gob.clSEFAAPreguntas frecuentes – SEFAASEFAAPreguntas frecuentes – SEFAA

For over two decades, CEFAA operated under the DGAC’s general secretariat, bringing together aviation professionals and external experts from meteorology, astronomy, engineering and related fields to ensure comprehensive analysis. Its mandate has always been expressly tied to safety of air operations in Chile’s vast national airspace—some 32 million km² extending from the tropics to the Antarctic—rather than to broader extraterrestrial inquiries. [SEFAA]sefaa.dgac.gob.clSEFAAQuiénes somos – SEFAASEFAAQuiénes somos – SEFAA

In October 2021, an administrative restructuring saw CEFAA renamed as SEFAA (Sección de Estudios de Fenómenos Aéreos Anómalos), now reporting through the DGAC’s Department of Communications. This change reflected a shift from an ad-hoc committee model to a permanent section, intended to strengthen institutional continuity and public engagement. [SEFAA]sefaa.dgac.gob.clSEFAASEFAA – Sección de Estudios de Fenómenos Aéreos AnómalosSEFAASEFAA – Sección de Estudios de Fenómenos Aéreos Anómalos

Reporting and Evidence Collection

SEFAA’s procedures centre on systematic intake and documentation of reported phenomena. Anyone who observes an aerial event perceived as unusual—pilots in flight, crews on the ground, or civilians on the ground—can submit a report through an official web form hosted on the SEFAA portal. These reports are the starting point for investigation; the quality and detail of information provided directly affects how conclusively a case can be analysed. [SEFAA]sefaa.dgac.gob.clSEFAAHistoria – SEFAA– SEFAAHISTORIA ORIGEN DE LA SEFAA Image Los Fenómenos Aéreos Anómalos se reportan oficialmente en Chile desde el año 1968 en dependencia…

Key aspects of SEFAA’s reporting structure include:

Once a case is submitted, SEFAA staff catalogue it and initiate an inquiry that can involve detailed review of media, consultation with radar data where available, and engagement with external subject‑matter specialists.

Analysis Process and Official Conclusions

The core function of both CEFAA and its successor SEFAA is evaluation and classification of aerial reports through a layered scientific process framed by aviation safety standards. Although Chile’s programme often attracts attention from UFO enthusiasts, its official structure and outputs are focused on rigorous assessment of reported phenomena. Key elements of this process include:

• Multidisciplinary review: Analysts may draw on expertise from meteorology, astronomy, air traffic control, engineering, and image processing to contextualise and, where possible, explain reported observations. [DGAC]dgac.gob.clCEFAA DICTÓ CHARLAS EN RETENES FRONTERIZOS DEL NORTE DEL PAÍS – DGAC | Dirección General de Aeronáutica CivilJuly 21, 2023 — * ## CEFAA D…Published: July 21, 2023
• Risk assessment for flight safety: Each case is assessed for its potential to affect aircraft operations. If an event is identified as an aircraft, astronomical body, weather balloon, satellite, atmospheric phenomenon or other known cause, the case is closed with that conclusion. [SEFAA]sefaa.dgac.gob.clSEFAASEFAA – Sección de Estudios de Fenómenos Aéreos AnómalosSEFAASEFAA – Sección de Estudios de Fenómenos Aéreos Anómalos
• Unidentified outcomes: Where available data are insufficient for a conventional explanation, SEFAA may designate a case as unidentified. This does not imply endorsement of extraordinary interpretations; rather, it reflects unresolved classification within established analytical parameters. [SEFAA]sefaa.dgac.gob.clSEFAASEFAA – Sección de Estudios de Fenómenos Aéreos AnómalosSEFAASEFAA – Sección de Estudios de Fenómenos Aéreos Anómalos

Importantly, SEFAA makes reports and summaries available to the public, including annual lists of resolved cases, fostering transparency uncommon in many national contexts. Monthly case reports and databases can be accessed through the organisation’s official site, allowing independent review of how cases are handled and concluded. [SEFAA]sefaa.dgac.gob.clSEFAASEFAA – Sección de Estudios de Fenómenos Aéreos AnómalosSEFAASEFAA – Sección de Estudios de Fenómenos Aéreos Anómalos

Organisational Structure and External Collaboration

Though relatively small and specialised, CEFAA/SEFAA historically has integrated a broader advisory network of experts beyond its core staff. In earlier CEFAA iterations, this included advisory roles for astronomers, meteorologists, psychologists, engineers and representatives of Chilean armed forces and civil aviation authorities, collaborating on cases as required. [DGAC]dgac.gob.clUNIVERSITARIOS VISITARON INSTALACIONES DEL CEFAA – DGAC | Dirección General de Aeronáutica CivilSeptember 24, 2019 — * ## UNIVERSITARIOS…Published: September 24, 2019

SEFAA maintains this multidisciplinary ethos within its investigative framework, drawing on external technical expertise when necessary to enrich case analysis. While not a research institution in the academic sense, its collaborations help ensure that case evaluations engage with the best available scientific knowledge.

By structuring the investigation of anomalous aerial phenomena around aviation safety imperatives, Chile’s SEFAA provides an official model that contrasts with ad‑hoc or purely civilian UFO reporting networks elsewhere. Its framework balances open reporting, methodological analysis and public transparency, all under the institutional umbrella of civil aviation governance. [SEFAA]sefaa.dgac.gob.clSEFAASEFAA – Sección de Estudios de Fenómenos Aéreos AnómalosSEFAASEFAA – Sección de Estudios de Fenómenos Aéreos Anómalos

Amazon book picks

Further Reading

Books and field guides related to How CEFAA and SEFAA Monitor UFO Reports. Use these as the next step if you want deeper reading beyond the article.

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The Hynek UFO Report

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Explains systematic UFO case review and classification approaches.

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The UFO Experience

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Addresses scientific handling of sightings and investigative methodology.

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Strong match for CEFAA and SEFAA because it emphasizes formal investigative bodies and aviation evidence.

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Passport to Magonia

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Offers historical perspective on how official and public interpretations diverge.

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Browse more on Amazon: The Hynek UFO Report The UFO Experience UFOs

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Endnotes

1. Source: sefaa.dgac.gob.cl
   Title: SEFAAHistoria – SEFAA
   Link: https://sefaa.dgac.gob.cl/historia/
   Source snippet

   – SEFAAHISTORIA ORIGEN DE LA SEFAA Image Los Fenómenos Aéreos Anómalos se reportan oficialmente en Chile desde el año 1968 en dependencia...

2. Source: sefaa.dgac.gob.cl
   Title: SEFAAPreguntas frecuentes – SEFAA
   Link: https://sefaa.dgac.gob.cl/preguntas-frecuentes/

3. Source: sefaa.dgac.gob.cl
   Title: SEFAAQuiénes somos – SEFAA
   Link: https://sefaa.dgac.gob.cl/quienes-somos/

4. Source: sefaa.dgac.gob.cl
   Title: SEFAASEFAA – Sección de Estudios de Fenómenos Aéreos Anómalos
   Link: https://sefaa.dgac.gob.cl/

5. Source: silverland.info
   Title: Il mondo degli UFOSEFAA
   Link: https://www.silverland.info/documenti/cefaa-centro-studi-sui-fenomeni-aerei-anomali/
   Source snippet

   Centro Studi sui Fenomeni Aerei Anomali - Il mondo degli UFO...

Additional References

1. Source: dgac.gob.cl
   Link: https://www.dgac.gob.cl/cefaa-dicto-charlas-en-retenes-fronterizos-del-norte-del-pais/
   Source snippet

   CEFAA DICTÓ CHARLAS EN RETENES FRONTERIZOS DEL NORTE DEL PAÍS – DGAC | Dirección General de Aeronáutica CivilJuly 21, 2023 — * ## CEFAA D...

   Published: July 21, 2023

2. Source: theufodatabase.com
   Link: https://theufodatabase.com/organizations/cefaa
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   Chilean Commission for Studies of Unidentified Space Phenomena | The UFO DatabaseCHILEAN COMMISSION FOR STUDIES OF UNIDENTIFIED SPACE PHE...

3. Source: daemvillarrica.cl
   Link: https://daemvillarrica.cl/blog/post/47336/la-ufologia-oficial-en-chile-historia-estructura-y-el-legado-del-cefaa/
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   March 18, 2026 — LA UFOLOGÍA OFICIAL EN CHILE: HISTORIA, ESTRUCTURA Y EL LEGADO DEL CEFAA Publicado por Felipe Pino Conejeros el maart 18...

   Published: March 18, 2026

4. Source: science.gc.ca
   Link: https://science.gc.ca/site/science/en/office-chief-science-advisor/sky-canada-project/management-public-reporting-unidentified-aerial-phenomena-canada
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   Management of Public Reporting of Unidentified Aerial Phenomena in CanadaChile The SEFAA (Sección de Estudios de Fenómenos Aéreos Anómalo...

5. Source: dgac.gob.cl
   Link: https://www.dgac.gob.cl/universitarios-visitaron-instalaciones-del-cefaa/
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   UNIVERSITARIOS VISITARON INSTALACIONES DEL CEFAA – DGAC | Dirección General de Aeronáutica CivilSeptember 24, 2019 — * ## UNIVERSITARIOS...

   Published: September 24, 2019

6. Source: museoaeronautico.dgac.gob.cl
   Title: dgac.gob.cl9.- DGAC activa Comité de Estudios de Fenómenos Aéreos Anómalos
   Link: https://museoaeronautico.dgac.gob.cl/2009/02/20/9-dgac-activa-comite-de-estudios-de-fenomenos-aereos-anomalos/
   Source snippet

   – MNAEFebruary 20, 2009 — 9.- DGAC ACTIVA COMITÉ DE ESTUDIOS DE FENÓMENOS AÉREOS ANÓMALOS. Febrero 20, 2009Septiembre 21, 2022 Image La r...

   Published: February 20, 2009

7. Source: infouno.cl
   Title: La investigación oficial de OVNIs en Chile – Infouno.cl
   Link: https://infouno.cl/la-investigacion-oficial-de-ovnis-en-chile/
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   April 20, 2023 — LA INVESTIGACIÓN OFICIAL DE OVNIS EN CHILE Abril 20, 2023Abril 20, 2023 Rodrigo Bravo Por Rodrigo Bravo Garrido Hace vei...

   Published: April 20, 2023

8. Source: tallyho.cl
   Title: centro de estudios de fenomenos aereos anomalos
   Link: https://tallyho.cl/cefaa-comite-de-estudios-de-fenomenos-aereos-anomalos/
   Source snippet

   January 20, 2015 — CEFAA COMITÉ DE ESTUDIOS DE FENÓMENOS AÉREOS ANÓMALOS Posted by TallyHo Date: enero 20, 2015 in: Fenómenos Aéreos Anóm...

   Published: January 20, 2015

9. Source: dgac.gob.cl
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   October 1, 2021...

   Published: October 1, 2021

10. Source: dgac.gob.cl
    Link: https://www.dgac.gob.cl/cefaa-celebra-21-anos-de-vida/
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    October 4, 2018...

    Published: October 4, 2018