Skyhawk 172/Cutlass 172
Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Flight Instructor
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 200; Flight Crew Total 1800; Flight Crew Type 1400
Troubleshooting; Other / Unknown
Conflict NMAC
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Aircraft Equipment Problem Dissipated; Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification
Human Factors
4;500 ft MSL ZZZ to ZZZ1; about 22 mile straight in for RWY XX at ZZZ1 over near the town. While flying my student asked me what the object was to our 10 o'clock headed our direction. As I looked over I thought it originally was a bird; then as it got closer I realized it was bigger and red. I first thought it might be a red ballon floating; but then I saw a red flashing light on the top and thought we might be getting close to hitting a tower; but saw nothing below the object. No tower; no string or ribbon; nothing attached below it. Upon closer inspection quickly as it passed by my left wing; approximately 2 wingspan away and just a couple feet high; it looked like a spinning top or dreidel; larger up top and smaller on the bottom; reddish orange in color with a flashing light on the top. I immediately notified Approach and they said they had nothing on radar in the area. I gave a description to the best of my ability in my surprised state. I also requested a phone number from them to speak with them when finished. Nothing else noted or resulted from the event.
C-172 Flight Instructor reported an uneventful NMAC event with an unreported drone during training flight.