NUFORC Sighting 109455

Occurred: 2014-05-18 20:32 Local
Reported: 2014-05-19 15:54 Pacific
Duration: 10 seconds
No of observers: 1

Location: Glen Ellyn, IL, USA

Shape: Unknown
Characteristics: Left a trail

A single small jet contrail moving very fast and gaining altitude.

UFO Report from May 18, 2014 I am reporting this event witnessed by myself alone outside. It was so unusual, I thought it would be reportable. I have never made a report like this before. I am skeptical of UFO’s in general, but believe that people like myself report unusual occurrences in order to find out the truth regarding such occurrences. There may be a plausible explanation for certain occurrences.

I am a retired firefighter, living in the suburbs of Chicago. I am a U. S. Army veteran. I have a college degree. I have always had a keen interest in military aviation and space travel. I have been to many of the annual Chicago Air and Water Shows at the Lake front. I watch the skies for jet travel, local and transcontinental, and recognize the “circle route” when I see it. I also have friends who are airline pilots.

Yesterday, May 18th, in the evening, I witnessed what I would call an unusual occurrence. I was at a local dog park with my Golden Retriever. It is located at 185 Spring Ave., 60137 (41.865944, -88.044325). This park has a large open sky area. At approximately 20:32 hours, right at twilight, I witnessed what looked like a single jet contrail moving across the sky at a very high altitude. I could not visualize the aircraft, but it seemed very small. The surprising fact was that the front of the contrail, was moving faster than anything I have ever seen before.

The contrail itself was smaller than a commercial aircraft contrail that I have witnessed, single, hazy, and white. The background of the sighting was blue sky and I was facing north. It also was evaporating at a fast rate as it crossed the sky. It was moving from the north to the east, at a heading of approximately 100 degrees. It disappeared in a very few seconds. The altitude appeared to be as high as I have ever seen a commercial aircraft. The aircraft appeared to be moving three times faster than a commercial flight. The aircraft may have been in a circle route, because it appeared to be gaining altitude in a straight line. The contrail stopped, and disappeared without any further sighting.

So my first thought is maybe a military fighter jet. I have seen them before at this approximate altitude. What was missing was the roar of the jet engine. No sound came from this fast moving aircraft. That is all I remember at this time.

Respectfully submitted

Posted 2014-06-04