Citation X (C750)
Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 85; Flight Crew Total 11550; Flight Crew Type 2200
Distraction; Human-Machine Interface
Conflict NMAC; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Procedure; Human Factors
While approaching Runway 32 in St. Paul; Minnesota we had briefed the visual approach to the runway backed up by electronic guidance; the ILS. The weather was day VFR; and once we descended below the lowest cloud layer and had visually sighted the airport; we were setting up for a right base entry to land Runway 32. We were at an altitude of 2;500 feet MSL; 1;800 feet above ground level; in 'Class E' airspace underlying the more restrictive 'Class B' airspace associated with the main airport in Minneapolis. We were approximately five miles from the airport at an airspeed of approximately 160 knots; fully configured for landing and the 'Before Landing' checklist completed; but had not yet intercepted the localizer. I was the flying pilot. I was looking inside the cockpit at the multi function display setting up to align the aircraft for landing; when the pilot monitoring called out to look out for another aircraft. I looked outside in time to see a man flying a powered parachute and immediately kicked off the auto pilot and rolled the plane into a sharp right bank to miss him. We can't be for sure how close we came to hitting this person but feel we were fortunate to have missed him. Both of us could see his face as we were that close. Prior to landing and after landing; the pilot monitoring provided as much information to the St. Paul Tower as we could concerning the near miss for their record keeping and reporting.This person was approximately 1;800 feet above the ground and presumably did not know the direction St. Paul's airport was landing. In our opinion; he was too close to the airport given the height above ground he was flying. ATC had no idea he was there as these aircraft are not required to have transponders or radios. It was perfectly legal for him to be in 'Class E' airspace with no radio or transponder; but not safe. These types of aircraft do not require a pilot's license or any kind of airspace knowledge test to legally operate them; and pose a serious clear and present danger to other aircraft; similar to the threat drones do if operated near airports. This situation reinforces our SOP's to not only have a sterile cockpit below 10;000 feet; but also to have the pilot monitoring to be vigilant in looking out for other aircraft.
Cessna 750 Captain reported an NMAC during approach with unreported powered parachute operating in close proximity of airport.