Night surface reference
SAS,
You might try a legal interpertation search for night helicopter surface reference. There is a legal interpertation dating back to about 1992 from the FAA in D.C that states if the aircraft is equiped with the flight instruments required by Part 135 for night or over the top operations it may be flown with out surface light reference. The aircraft does not have to be IFR certified.
A literal interpertation of the surface reference requirement would prevent night ops with S92's EC225's ect unless they were on an IFR flight plan.
In spite of all the above there has to be a better way of operating at night than is currently in use. The Bond EC225 and the most recent EC145 accident in Forida would indicate that technology by it's self is not the answer.
When is the last time you witnessed a VFR operator conduct any training or flight checks at night. At the very least an inprovement in training and testing is in order.
JHR