Originally Posted by
JackJones
Possibly true regarding horizons VFR IFR etc, however I've personally flown (legally) VFR day with no discernible horizon at all - should that too have been IFR?
No, not if WX was within VFR limits and you had sufficient visual references to fly without reference to instruments. However those same conditions would likely be effectively IFR at night, regardless of the legalities. No need to split hairs. You can either see good enough to safely fly without instruments or you can't, depending on your personal minimums and capabilities. It can be severe clear but over rugged terrain with no lights on the ground or moon in the sky that might not be enough. But I'm sure I'm writing the obvious.
Our point about the 22 is pointless to this thread anyway, as the R22 is not a CAT machine
That depends. The OP asked about single engine night op's in the US. Those would all be CAT B helicopters per the US definition, but really it would appear the question is about commercial op's. Certainly R22s are used quite often for a wide variety of commercial operations: sightseeing, photo missions, training, etc. This includes night flying, and R22s are regularly operated at night for all of those purposes.