Small Aircraft; High Wing; 1 Eng; Fixed Gear
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 5; Flight Crew Total 3850; Flight Crew Type 500
Confusion; Distraction; Workload
Conflict NMAC; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Human Factors; Procedure; Chart Or Publication
Departing VFR from runway 26 at 3CK; I planned to do a left downwind exit from the traffic pattern and continue eastbound to my home airport. The weather was CAVU and hot and sunny; with a slightly gusty wind.Nearing the midfield point in the downwind at about 1000 ft AGL; I noticed what I first believed to be an opposite direction airplane heading toward me. A normal 30 degree bank was sufficient to maneuver to avoid it. Getting a little closer; I realized it was not a manned aircraft; but rather a tiny drone (and was therefore much closer to me than I initially thought). No abnormal maneuvering was needed to miss the drone; though I probably would have hit it; had I not seen it or taken action.No one else was in the pattern and the radio was quiet; but I nonetheless broadcasted a warning to others over CTAF. I estimate the drone was at 1000 ft AGL; about 1 mile north of 3CK. I never saw it turn or evade; so I presume its operator was unaware of the conflict... though he/she was probably unaware of a lot of things if he thinks operating at 1000 ft next to an airport is okay.
A pilot reported a near miss with a UAV at 1000 feet AGL while on downwind departing 3CK.