The acronym OVNI (objet volant non identifé) is the French term for UFO (Unidentified Flying Object). The testimonies and the results of the investigations show that this term is most often misused. In most cases the observations describe a known or unknown phenomenon generally luminous but without proof of it being a material object having the same characteristics as an aircraft. Use of the general term UAP (Unidentified Aerial Phenomenon) is therefore more appropriate.