Skyhawk 172/Cutlass 172
Flight Crew Commercial
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 25; Flight Crew Total 251; Flight Crew Type 200
Situational Awareness; Workload; Confusion; Distraction
Airspace Violation All Types; Conflict NMAC; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR
Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Human Factors; Procedure
In a simulated engine failure; I was descending and circling over my point of intended landing when what appeared to be a white bird was in sight. Once I got closer it was clear that it was a drone flying well above the altitude requirements for Part 107 and far too close to our aircraft. The other pilot noticed the drone and pointed it out to me when we took evasive action and made a climbing left turn westbound to avoid any other conflict. We made a report with Approach.
C172 pilot reported a UAS near miss at 3;200 ft southeast of PHX.