Regional Jet 200 ER/LR (CRJ200)
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Distraction; Situational Awareness
Conflict Airborne Conflict
General None Reported / Taken
Airspace Structure; Procedure; Human Factors; Aircraft
I was Pilot Monitoring on our way into ATL. We were approximately at 1;500 or so feet on final into [Runway] 8L when I noticed a large white drone aircraft off to our lower left side moving west bound approximately 500 ft. below us. The best ground reference I could make was the large manufacturing warehouse with the 'BJ's' logo painted on the roof. It was white and had four props. I notified ATC of such which they passed on pilot reports and relayed into the ATIS. After landing; Tower requested a phone call for follow up. The [airliner] two aircraft back also saw the drone circling an apartment complex. I called ATC at the gate in which they took down basic information and asked if we took evasive action; which we had not. The event was caused by an individual or individuals illegally operating a UAS within 5nm of an airfield. I might suggest some guidance in a memo or CFM/FOM procedure on operations in these circumstances as drone encounters are becoming more and more frequent.
Captain reported encountering a drone while on approach to ATL.