Small Aircraft; Low Wing; 1 Eng; Retractable Gear
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 24; Flight Crew Total 348; Flight Crew Type 210
Conflict NMAC; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Environment - Non Weather Related; Procedure
I was operating on an IFR flight plan while VMC in cruise talking to Baton Rogue Approach en-route to Houston. I was cruising at 140 knots true with the autopilot engaged tracking direct to LFT. The event occurred at 6;000 ft. I was scanning outside the windscreen when out of the corner of my eye I saw a black object through the copilot's side windshield. My first reaction was a bird and it was too late to avoid. The object passed beneath my wing and I briefly lost line of sight before the object reappeared behind the starboard wing. At this moment; I identified that the object was not a bird and had four arms; rotors; and was a large; but standard looking quad copter style UAS with position lights. I estimated that the object passed with 50-150 feet of the aircraft and varied in altitude. It rapidly changed courses and as I passed the UAS it made a sharp turn and a rapid acceleration behind the aircraft's tail and out of sight. No further contact was made. I immediately contacted ATC and reported the event. ATC contacted me to follow up about 5 minutes after I reported to them and I relayed the coordinates and description of the UAS to them. The flight continued safely to its destination. While I also hold a UAS certificate and enjoy that side of aviation; this near mid-air collision was extremely unfortunate. There seems to be very little enforcement in this area of aviation. A collision would have likely resulted in an in flight breakup. As a manned pilot; I do not believe there is much I could have done to avoid this. I could coach my UAS friends in the law; but most of my peers are well versed and follow the regulations. It only takes one rogue individual to cause an issue. I also thought I might opt to fly at higher altitudes. I had chosen 6;000 for wind and visibility; but perhaps I should have been higher. I do not believe this is a compelling argument because some drones can climb to the flight levels...much higher than a piston GA. I think drones may need to have further hardware limitations (subject to overrides) that would keep them off of federal airways or on ADSB/Radar in order to ensure the safety of manned flight.
General Aviation Pilot reported NMAC with drone during cruise while in contact with BTR TRACON.