Cessna 150
Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Flight Instructor
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 50; Flight Crew Total 3100; Flight Crew Type 300
Communication Breakdown; Training / Qualification; Distraction; Situational Awareness
Conflict NMAC
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Human Factors; Aircraft
My student pilot appeared to freeze; pull up slightly; and bank right slightly. I looked at her; then looked where she was looking since she did not say anything. A Cessna was nearly dead ahead; opposite direction; close enough to see the faces and sunglasses on the occupants. If she had not reacted; small as her evasive action was; we may have collided. It was a clear and beautiful day. We were both looking at the scenery and looking for traffic on a continuous basis. No idea why we did not see the other aircraft until it was just a few hundred feet away with a 200 mph closure rate. I think our rental aircraft has ADS-B out; but not in. No idea what the other aircraft has. Needless to say; it appears they did not see us any sooner than we saw them; perhaps even later because I do not think they took any evasive action. Perhaps I spend too much time looking left and right; trying to see who is hiding above the high-wings whenever the aircraft banks even slightly; rather than also focusing more in the forward direction.
Instructor pilot reported the student took evasive action due to a NMAC.