Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 15; Flight Crew Total 603; Flight Crew Type 553
Confusion; Situational Awareness; Training / Qualification; Workload
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR; Ground Event / Encounter Object; Inflight Event / Encounter Object
Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification; General Release Refused / Aircraft Not Accepted
Human Factors; Procedure; Chart Or Publication; Aircraft
I was flying at 3000 feet headed to Airport ZZZ1 on a personal flight. I got ATC flight following when near Airport ZZZ. I got my squawk code and after approach had me on radar contact I saw another small aircraft or drone about 2 to 3 miles at my 11 o'clock position. The drone was headed on a 360 course and was just below my altitude and moving at a fast speed. The drone did not get close enough to cause me to need to change course or altitude. I reported because ATC did not see it and I thought in interest of safety they (ATC) needed to know about that activity.  ATC did not see it and I gave them a pilot report on the object. A few minutes later the controller's manager asked for more details on location and size etc. and I gave him size and a landmark.  It was a couple miles east of the chemical plant and white on top with delta shaped wing. 1/4 scale of a Long-EZ. I realized after talking to the FSDO that the registration on my aircraft was expired. I moved several times during the time the registration policy changed and that the airplane has been flying with expired registration. I have sent in application and the fee to FAA registration and will not allow plane to fly until registration is complete. I also went through all of my other documents and saw that my 3rd class medical expired. I erroneously thought that my driver's license would serve as medical if I had less than 180 HP and a no complex aircraft. I thought I could operate under the sport pilot rules. Upon my review of FARs I saw that I was incorrect and went to a local AME and had my medical exam and received my 3rd class medical certificate. I was incorrect on the difference in sport pilot and recreational pilot requirements. I had been inactive and not flying at all for several years and got back into aviation recently. I was not clear on all the changes and I should have asked my instructor and done a better job of reviewing FARs and staying up to date with [notes from a general aviation association].
A VFR pilot reported a UAS shaped like an LONG-EZ near his 3;000 FT altitude and reported it to ATC with location and description. While examining his documents for the FAA he discovered his aircraft registration and physical were noncompliant to the FARs.