Originally Posted by
Checkboard
.. and you can't circle within 3nm of the runway during the climb to 3000/LSALT without being able to fix your position relative to the runway - so you need to see the runway, and thus need lights for take-off (or sufficient ambient moon or ground lighting).
Sensibly, yes.. but legally, no. If the aerodrome is serviced by navaids or you have a certified RNP2 or better GNSS device on board you're competent to use, given the stated requirement is to "remain within 3nm", then it seems
legally you could indeed depart.
If you're flying the aircraft properly NVFR, then the first opportunity you have to look back for the runway won't be until after you turn crosswind anyway, so whether or not it's lit (or the lights have timed out on you) is somewhat irrelevant... but if you get anywhere near 3 miles spiralling up then you better look out - Clinton will be watching!!
