I've been flying 'civvy' helis for about 6 years now after a couple of decades flying military tackle with the likes of ShyT. I find this thread very interesting, and quite puzzling why it's generating such misunderstanding. I don't see where people are getting the '1000ft clear of obstacleswithin 5nm' bit from. I regularly fly night IFR below 1000ft agl, provided the met is ok and all the kit is working, particularly rad-alt. Let's just re-visit rule 29(d) to clarify that I'm still complying quite legally with IFR whilst flying entirely safely in VMC:-
29 Without prejudice to the provisions of rule 5, in order to comply with the Instrument Flight Rules an aircraft shall not fly at a height of less than 1000 feet above the highest obstacle within a distance of 5 nautical miles of the aircraft unless:
(a) it is necessary for the aircraft to do so in order to take off or land;
(b) the aircraft is flying on a route notified for the purposes of this rule;
(c) the aircraft has been otherwise authorised by the competent authority; or
(d) the aircraft is flying at an altitude not exceeding 3000 feet above mean sea level and remains clear of cloud and in sight of the surface.
Now I'll probably open up a hornets nest about the prudence of night transits below 1000ft; but having done it quite safely for years for the Queen, I don't see there should be too much to argue with. Incoming!!!!
J