Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Distraction; Confusion
Conflict Airborne Conflict; Conflict NMAC; Deviation - Altitude Excursion From Assigned Altitude; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Air Traffic Control Issued Advisory / Alert; Flight Crew Became Reoriented; Flight Crew Returned To Clearance; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification
Environment - Non Weather Related; Procedure
While on a reposition flight to SNA; we encountered what appeared to be some sort of drone at approximately 8;000 FT over LA airspace. We were on an assigned heading at 8;000 FT and I noticed something [with] gray/silver color out in front of us. There was no advisory from ATC regarding traffic or any alert from the airplane stating 'traffic'. We couldn't tell how fast it was going as we were going 250 KTS and it passed quickly off the right side of the airplane approximately 100-200 FT below us. It looked like some sort of round object (similar to that of a balloon; but definitely not a weather balloon). We weren't sure if it was hovering or what as we passed it rather quickly. We reported it to ATC and he was very appreciative regarding the report.About 8 minutes later as we were approaching the base leg into SNA at 3;000 FT; we saw traffic on the TCAS at our altitude. ATC advised us of said traffic (unknown type) and that it was fast moving approximately 170 KTS. He said it would be no factor as we would turn inside of it to join the ILS. The airplane [TCAS] then began saying 'TRAFFIC; TRAFFIC' and the target changed course and went RED. The airplane gave us an RA to climb and we immediately climbed to avoid whatever it was. We never saw anything. Once we were clear of the traffic; we advised ATC we responded to an RA and he said thank you. We landed uneventfully. Ground Control then asked us to call SOCAL regarding the drone report to give specifics about what it looked like. He took our information and no further action was required.
[Report narrative contained no additional information.]
A flight crew in LAX airspace reported passing close by what appeared to be drone at approximately 8;000 FT enroute to SNA then taking evasive action from a TCAS TRAFFIC alert at 3;000 FT on approach.