Guys a couple of quick responses to your queries....
1. Although flight in wx less than IMC is now allowable with NVGs in Australia it comes at a price....not only are the crew to be IFR current and capable but you need an IFR helo. There is also an inadvertent IMC plan required before launching under these circumstances, which are mandated in the CMI. When you read the CMI you will find further restrictions, such as, flight into visible moisture is prohibited and storm cells are required to be avoided by 5 nm...requiring a wx radar. Anyhow things don't really change that much in your normal day practice....don't push it to the point of becoming IIMC. We found during the trial that cloud avoindance with goggles was very good and was not hard to avoid cloud. The danger is if there is heavy rain about one could easily suck themselves into embedded cloud. You have to learn to recognise increased scintillation on the tubes as possibly going into such conditions and decide to turn around. Personally I believe the chance of IIMC would be very rare but we have a policy at VPAW of a high level of IFR recency and awareness to overcome such events.
We will also have an illumination policy in that when the ambient illumination levels fall apprecially due to cloud, etc that there will be an ASI restriction and use of landing/nightsun to improve illumination...we found that the landing light itself provides good illumination forward of the aircraft and at slower speeds it is easier to navigate on goggles on those very dark nights. I recall using around 80 kts on a really black heavy overcast night up in the bush, which was fine. It all comes down to common sense...if the conditions are deterioting and not looking good, its time to turn back and either find an alternative route or go home to fight another day (night). Pilots get unstuck because they push beyond their limits and qualifications/recency.
2. I lobbyed that the 10 hours for pilots should be around 7 hours as more reasonable for civil ops and 4 hours for flightcrewmember. Note that the CMI has further requirements...once you get your endorsement as a pilot that is not it...you can't go PIC on goggles until you have accummalated an additional 15 hours of ICUS NVG time.