Reply #119: Out of curiosity, "readily identified" by whom, and to what extent?

[Basileus Basileon]

Where do you think UFO begins? Is there a standard of unidentifiability somewhere out there?

Looking at an airplane flying overhead earlier today, I knew that it was a Northwest-owned 757-200 flying into Midway. I don't know its registration number. I certainly couldn't tell you which 757-200 it was, or where it had come from. Clearly not a UFO, I'd say.

Most people probably couldn't tell an A320 from a 737 on sight, or a 767 from an A330. Most people probably couldn't tell an A320 from an A319 or an A321, unless they've had a good deal of experience working around airports. So suppose a United A320 flies overhead. Average guy might not be able to tell you that's what it is. But most everyone could identify one as "a commercial airliner," even if they don't know the make or manufacturer. UFO?

Supposing it's late at night, and I see a few blinking lights go screaming overhead. It sounds to me like it's a DC-9, which means it's probably owned by Northwest. really don't know that for sure, though, and it really could be any airplane. It might even be a military one; all I noticed was that it was loud. UFO?

Supposing I see a light moving through the evening sky. It makes several maneuvers I believe to be impossible for an aircraft. The next morning, I read in the paper there has been an air show, and there was a Harrier showing off its VTOL abilities to the delight of the crowd. UFO?

I'm out at night, in the desert. I see lights zipping around. Can't be an airplane, I think. As it turns out, the military is testing a new form of aircraft. They know about it, but no civilians outside Lockheed-Martin do until the plane if official revealed two years later. UFO?

Alien craft has been captured by the military. They fly it around on a joyride. I see it and am confused. UFO?

Alien spaceship flies overhead. I think, "That's gotta be aliens." UFO?

Weird thing goes overhead. Nobody knows what it is. It's never seen again. Clearly a UFO.

So where does the line go? I can't think of a satisfactory answer myself.