Narrative:

Launched just after midnight. Weather was reported and observed to be 10 miles with stars visible above. Nearby tappahannock airport; 20 miles away; was reporting same. Approximately 5 minutes into flight; after climbing out and dark adapting the cockpit as much as possible; we entered IMC at approximately 1200-1400 MSL; wings level. I announced I was initiating an instrument scan; and climbed to 1700 ft MSL; the MSA per our base IMC procedure. I knew this would provide 1000+ ft of clearance above any potential obstacle in that sector. The cabin crew announced that they could still see lights intermittently on the ground and at the aircraft's six o'clock position; so instead of climbing any further into clouds of an unknown thickness; I entered a gentle; level; left coordinated turn in balanced flight and we slowly reversed course 180 degrees; reacquiring VFR conditions. The entire evolution lasted approximately 1 minute. However; it seemed like an eternity. The lower; middle; and upper peninsulas; indeed all of tidewater; virginia; are located in the mid-atlantic region; adjacent to; and in many instances; nearly surrounded by; water--the atlantic ocean; the chesapeake bay; wide rivers like the rappahannock and potomac; and their tributaries. Furthermore; there are vast areas of pine forest; in addition to these bodies of water; that present a low surface light reference at night. This is inherently an instrument environment only. We need an IFR capable aircraft with an autopilot; night vision goggles; and IFR currency/proficiency for the pilots assigned. Our ships are fun and capable aircraft to fly in the daytime; but they are a day VFR platform only; and the FAA should not allow them to be used at night; especially in this coastal environment; with its frequent; unforecast and unreported MVFR/IFR weather manifestations between reporting stations.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A Helicopter pilot reported entering IMC while operating VFR during a night operation in Tidewater; Virginia. He alleges company aircraft are not appropriately equipped for night operations in their normal environment.

Narrative: Launched just after midnight. Weather was reported and observed to be 10 miles with stars visible above. Nearby Tappahannock airport; 20 miles away; was reporting same. Approximately 5 minutes into flight; after climbing out and dark adapting the cockpit as much as possible; we entered IMC at approximately 1200-1400 MSL; wings level. I announced I was initiating an instrument scan; and climbed to 1700 FT MSL; the MSA per our base IMC procedure. I knew this would provide 1000+ FT of clearance above any potential obstacle in that sector. The cabin crew announced that they could still see lights intermittently on the ground and at the aircraft's six o'clock position; so instead of climbing any further into clouds of an unknown thickness; I entered a gentle; level; left coordinated turn in balanced flight and we slowly reversed course 180 degrees; reacquiring VFR conditions. The entire evolution lasted approximately 1 minute. However; it seemed like an eternity. The Lower; Middle; and Upper Peninsulas; indeed all of Tidewater; Virginia; are located in the Mid-Atlantic region; adjacent to; and in many instances; nearly surrounded by; water--the Atlantic ocean; the Chesapeake Bay; wide rivers like the Rappahannock and Potomac; and their tributaries. Furthermore; there are vast areas of pine forest; in addition to these bodies of water; that present a low surface light reference at night. This is inherently an instrument environment only. We need an IFR capable aircraft with an Autopilot; Night Vision Goggles; and IFR currency/proficiency for the pilots assigned. Our ships are fun and capable aircraft to fly in the daytime; but they are a day VFR platform only; and the FAA should not allow them to be used at night; especially in this coastal environment; with its frequent; unforecast and unreported MVFR/IFR weather manifestations between reporting stations.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.