Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Instrument
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 56; Flight Crew Total 1888; Flight Crew Type 745
Confusion; Distraction; Situational Awareness
Conflict NMAC
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Airspace Structure; Environment - Non Weather Related
While flying back with a student we were transitioning from the Lake Mead area which is 20 miles east of LAS and just north of BVU down to the solar panel farm just south of BVU to cross over back to HND. While headed towards the BVU airport CTAF was tuned in to check for traffic and possible skydiving in action. On the trip north there had been skydiving in progress but this time no one had made any reports when we asked for advisory. Though we could see and hear helicopter traffic on the ground and low levels no one else fixed wing had reported. As we got about 2-3 miles to the north I could see what looked like a possible aircraft at the same altitude headed in an unknown direction but could not make a positive ID on them due to the size. It looked too small to be an airplane and was hard to keep an eye on. At that point I diverted to the right slightly to be safe. As we were headed SW to pass about a mile NW of the airport the target continued to get closer and we had yet to hear them report; I continued to turn right to remain clear. During this time I wanted to climb back up to get ready to cross the ridge but if so would not have been able to see as well due to the increased pitch so I was stuck at 4000 and since the 172 is a high wing plane I did not want to descend due to the loss of traffic visibility and having no idea of the other aircraft's intentions. At this point I noticed the other Aircraft; hang glider or drone was only coming closer. I immediately made a descending left hand turn hoping that there would not be a collision. From our point of view it looked as if we came within 50 feet of each other. The closest I have ever come to anything so far with flying. I could not believe on a completely clear day with great weather that I would have a close of a call as this. I hope that the implementation of ADSB becomes mandatory as soon as possible. At least so one of the pilots has the ability to detect the other traffic. If neither of us would have seen each other today it could have ended up much worse.
C172 instructor pilot reported having to take evasive action to avoid an object near BVU. He described the object as either another aircraft; a hang glider; or a drone.