Originally Posted by
outnabout
I am fairly certain that the RFDS only use car headlights or dunny rolls soaked in fuel as a last resort, after a thorough risk assessment.
I would bet money that these are also only used for urgent medical-vac, not just coz they felt like it.
I am also fairly certain that RFDS pilots are current, confident, and at the top of their game before they get signed off for night work.
Fairly certain that ole mate in his / her C182 would fail on so many of these counts.
imagine how much difference waiting for 30 - 45 minutes would make.
I'd agree with you on every point except the last. If this is proven to be a mechanical issue, rather than
somatogravic illusion, then I don't think having a smidgen of daylight would have made that much difference, bar maybe a touch less damage. But there's no way we'll ever know as the ATSB ain't going to investigate.