Skyhawk 172/Cutlass 172
Flight Crew Student
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 19; Flight Crew Total 67; Flight Crew Type 67
Communication Breakdown; Situational Awareness
Conflict NMAC; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Aircraft; Human Factors
I was doing ground reference maneuvers in my training time. I had checked multiple times on the traffic adviser to see if any aircraft were around me; and did not see any. The screen was set so I could see traffic within a 6 nautical mile radius of my aircraft; and I had checked at least 3 times while maneuvering. Not once did I see another aircraft on my radar. I also did a full 360 degree clearing turn after exiting my first ground reference maneuver.I had been doing S-turns across a road at 1;600 feet MSL with my altimeter setting reading 30.15. As I complete a turn and end up on a northwest heading of about 300; I check my traffic radar and see an aircraft directly beside mine. Instead of the standard white coloration of traffic; this was yellow so I knew it was much closer. The traffic advisory system did not alert me to this. I did not hear any notice over my intercom in the aircraft. The other aircraft was at approximately 10 o'clock in relation to me; lower by about 100 feet. The plane passed underneath me without incidence; but it was too close for my personal preference.I did not hear any radio calls over the frequency I was on; which is what all students are to use when in the practice areas. The other aircraft appeared to be another high wing plane similar to mine. Because of the high amount of student traffic; I wouldn't be surprised if it turned out to be another student. It looked to me like another Cessna 172; but as I only saw it for a few seconds and from above; I cannot be definitively sure. I believe both of us were in the wrong in that I did not check my traffic radar during my maneuver and the aircraft could have approached me in the time that I was doing the maneuver; and he/she is in the wrong for 1. Not announcing over the radio that they are approaching my position if they saw me 2. Not adjusting their altitude when seeing mine (as I had not changed altitude for at least 10 minutes at this point; considering I had flown to my ground reference area at the altitude and completed my first and now second ground reference maneuvers at that same altitude).I believe this situation can be prevented in the future if all students are advised to get in the habit of not only checking the traffic before and after maneuvers; but during them as well. Also; making sure they know that it is a good idea to keep a large distance between you and other student when both are at low altitudes doing ground reference maneuvers. If this wasn't a student; then it's advisable to make sure pilots know when they are entering a student practice area; and that they use radio contact with students when maneuvering or traveling through it. These areas are probably one of the most important for pilots to use radio communications in because even if it is a low traffic area; there are more inexperienced pilots flying around than there would be elsewhere.
C172 student pilot reported NMAC with another aircraft while maneuvering in the practice area.