Date: 201902
Local time of day: 1201-1800
Location: PHL.Airport, PA
Flight conditions: VMC
Aircraft: Airbus Industrie Undifferentiated or Other Model
Operator: Air Carrier
Operating under: Part 121
Flight plan: IFR
Flight phase: Initial Approach
Airspace: Class B PHL
ATC / advisory: TRACON PHL
Second aircraft: UAV - Unpiloted Aerial Vehicle
Reporter organization: Air Carrier
Reporter function: Pilot Not Flying; First Officer
Reporter qualification: Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Human factors: Situational Awareness
Second reporter function: Pilot Flying; Captain
Anomaly: Conflict NMAC
Detector: Person Flight Crew
When detected: In-flight
Result: General None Reported / Taken
Contributing factors: Airspace Structure; Procedure
Primary problem: Ambiguous

Narrative: We encountered a drone during the approach phase (ILS 27R) in PHL. The drone was at our altitude (2;800 MSL) near the MRTIN initial approach fix for the ILS 27R. We were intercepting the final approach course and were descending to a lower altitude. I was the Pilot Monitoring. I saw a drone (chrome and blue in color) passing off my front/right (1 o'clock) at our altitude. I estimate the distance between the drone and our aircraft at 200 meters. I'd estimate the size of the drone at approximately 3 x 3 feet.The low angle of the sun contributed to the enhanced visibility of the drone. [The Captain and I] speculated that it was no coincidence that the drone was at the precise location and altitude that us and other aircraft were turning final into KPHL. Perhaps the operator was getting video footage of arriving aircraft.


Second narrative: I was pilot flying in excellent visual conditions close to sunset. The sun was low and aligned almost perfectly with the final approach course. Cleared for a visual approach at 3000 ft on a base leg south of MRTIN on a 340 heading. While descending and turning to join the 27R centerline; the first officer called out a drone. The UAV was at our altitude of 2800 ft at 1 to 3 o'clock in the turn. We we're 3tenths nm from the centerline when we detected the UAV. I estimate it was on the localizer approximately 1/4 mile West of MRTIN between 2800 and 3100 msl. The exact position is difficult to access because of changing bank and pitch attitude as I maneuvered to join the final; but I believe the vehicle was stationary. Because of the angle of the sun; the UAV was very visible once sighted. It was a large blue/chrome and white quadcopter about the size of 2 pizza boxes across. When asked for a weight estimate; my guess was more than 50 lbs.The encounter was immediately reported to Philly final. No evasive action was taken. After landing; I immediately contacted Philadelphia Tracon to complete their UAV report. No passengers or crew reported the sighting.We did not descending below the floor of class B; nor outside the perimeter. The UAV had no transponder and was in Class B without clearance. The operator either had no knowledge of the restrictions and requirements for UAV operations; or chose to disregard them.


Synopsis: Airbus flight crew reported sighting a UAV while intercepting the final approach course for the ILS27R at PHL.