There seems little point monitoring a LARS/approach frequency without taking part - far too voyeuristic for my liking
- you get all the background cackle without any direct benefit.
We all seem to agree that having to monitor a frequency is distracting when trying to teach; in the open FIR I usually turn the radio down (even in IMC
); but near a funnel point I'd prefer a RIS in any conditions. A FIS seems a waste of time while instructing - cackle but no benefit.
Like others I've been surprised a few times (some while getting a RIS) and had a couple of very near misses (one from a T-tail sneaking-up behind and one head-head with a glider). Bottom line is to subscribe to the small aeroplane big sky theory, keep your lookout going to improve the odds, minimise the risk by avoiding funnel points, and get a RIS/RAS where feasible and necessary.
HFD