Long haul - at night, across the ITCZ? Never, never, never! I've been frightened witless too often in that area with the radar serviceable, I'd never even think of trying it without radar, I don't care what the forecast says. Someone else has already mentioned the Air France 747 that tried it!
As far as I'm concerned the radar is a no-go (or diversion)item in longhaul flying, especially at night.
[This message has been edited by tired (edited 28 November 2000).]