Originally Posted by
nigelh
But regardless of rules surely a night flight across water with no objects to bump into should be safe in s 139 ??? I don’t think having transponder on would have made a difference...
Sadly, night flights over water, especially on an exceptionally dark starless night is the deepest IFR you'll ever fly. No visual reference and very dangerous on the initial transition from over land to over water. Extremely challenging for even very experienced pilots. Must stay current IFR, also night and over water night conditions.