DA40 Diamond Star
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 27; Flight Crew Total 267; Flight Crew Type 37
Situational Awareness
Conflict NMAC
General None Reported / Taken
Human Factors
My passenger spotted a drone while we were in cruise flight near Monterey Bay; just west of Watsonville Airport.  My passenger stated that it came 'very close' to our plane; but I was unable to spot it before we had passed its location. I informed ATC; but due to frequency congestion I made my report after we had flown 2 miles north of where we encountered it. Upon landing; I reviewed the NOTAMs for my preflight briefing and was unable to find any for UAS activity at that altitude.
DA40 pilot reported his passenger noticed a UAV operating in close proximity to their aircraft at 6500 MSL in the vicinity of WVI airport.