Air carrier flight crew reported seeing a UAS near the airport while they were taxiing. The crew waited until the UAS was gone and then they departed.
Synopsis
Air carrier flight crew reported seeing a UAS near the airport while they were taxiing. The crew waited until the UAS was gone and then they departed.
Narrative
UAS event while taxiing: Taxiing outbound from the ramp to RWY XXR. Crossing RWY XY/XZ southbound on TWY 1. Both aircrew spotted a UAS in the approach corridor for RWY XY. It was approximately 1/2 mile West of RWY XYs approach end at 100-200 ft. AGL. Due to the close proximity of the road; we could not determine if it was inside the airport fence line or over the road. The UAS looked like the power company's survey drones in my hometown. It was approximately 3ft wide with big red flashing lights and a bright white headlight. It was dark; so the lights were easy to see; but we could not see markings. We continued Southbound on TWY 1. The UAS shadowed our right side while taxiing. It remained there until we lined-up for takeoff on RWY XXR; then it flew back behind our field of view and we lost sight. We were cleared for takeoff; but notified ATC we would hold position until we know the UAS is clear. It was a slow night; so there were no other aircraft around us to help look for it. Coincidentally; a police helicopter was inbound for landing near us and offered to help. When neither the helicopter nor Tower could find it. We took off without incident.
Second reporter narrative
While taxiing from the ramp to runway XXR; we were cleared to cross runway XY on taxiway 1. When crossing the runway we noticed a UAS off the approach end of runway XY and reported it to ZZZ ground. The UAS was moving and had flashing lights. We continued our taxi to XXR and noticed the UAS stayed off of our right side as we lined up on the runway. We informed tower we would hold position on the runway and the UAS disappeared from our field of view behind the aircraft. When the UAS was moving from West to East we were able to also notice a bright white light on the front of it. There happen to be a police helicopter listening to our conversation with ZZZ tower and it volunteered to look for the UAS. After the tower and the helicopter were unable to find the UAS we departed ZZZ without incident. Cause: An unauthorized UAS at the ZZZ airport. Suggestions: Keeping UAS away from airport property and airspace.
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.