Stearman
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 40; Flight Crew Total 20000; Flight Crew Type 300
Other / Unknown
Conflict NMAC; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
General None Reported / Taken
Human Factors
I was completing a pleasure flight on a beautiful summer afternoon in my Stearman; approaching FBL; from the northeast; at about 1;800 MSL (about 800 AGL). Something caught my eye to my right at my altitude; and I thought it was probably a hawk; a common sighting in Minnesota. I turned my head and looked; and was surprised to see the 'hawk' had what appeared to be attachments (gear? antenna? camera?)! It passed about 300 FT off my right wingtip. Very glad I didn't hit it; as a Stearman is very blind straight ahead; and if it had been about 300 FT further to the left I never would have seen it until I hit it! So much for the 400 FT max altitude for drones I guess!
Stearman pilot reports a NMAC with a drone at 800 FT approaching FBL. No evasive action is taken as the drone passes 300 FT off the right wing co-altitude.