Once upon a time I used to have an I/R
. I have always been pro I/Rs for police pilots (maintaining currency where we are would be no problem whatsoever). However, I accept that operationally it would not provide a benefit that warrants the initial outlay (and for all the units in the UK bar D&C, Humberside and some of the Met that is some outlay). In fact it would be easier to raise the weather limits than demand an I/R. Although the only NVG I ever used was a hand held tank sight (Mk 1 PNG as it was then), I do think that the latest generation NVGs are the way ahead for night rural ops, not because we can go out in worse weather but because they would enhance situational awareness at night, in the sticks (for those of you that have 'the sticks!'. I do not know enough about them to judge their effectiveness in an urban situation but I feel sure that they wouldn't make things worse!