Small Aircraft; High Wing; 1 Eng; Fixed Gear
Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 4.2; Flight Crew Total 163.1; Flight Crew Type 163.1
Time Pressure
Conflict NMAC; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Unauthorized Flight Operations (UAS)
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Human Factors
While performing a night flight operation as the sole occupant and PIC; I was en route to the New York Skyline Route via Direct the Verrazano Bridge.  I was receiving flight following at the time from New York Approach. I was cruising at 2;000 feet VFR. At XA:44 EDT I spotted a White Drone that came into alignment and coverage with my left-wing landing light about 20-30 feet away. The drone had 4 props.  My spotting and reaction time was within 2 seconds and I performed an evasion maneuver with a quick bank to the right and turned about 10 degrees with a bank angle of about 20-30 degrees. The drone barely missed my left-wing. I immediately then radioed New York Approach and reported the near-miss of the drone. The controller asked for a description; altitude; and if I had to perform an evasive maneuver.There was nothing I would have done differently in this case; however; it does once again bring around the constant issue of drones in the NAS. I believe that drones need to be programmed to not be able to exceed a specific altitude at any time without an FAA waiver. I know some manufacturers already have these restrictions in place but there is no valid reason a drone should be at 2;000 feet AGL along the New Jersey Shoreline area during the night (or day).
General aviation fixed wing pilot had a near miss with a UAS.