Crab - I believe it's been mentioned in a previous post but at one stage, following advice to the CAA from the AAIB after an incident involving a B214ST we did in fact introduce the military style IF take off as part of the LPC. Sadly it disappeared. I don't think it was popular with the non-UK owned helicopter operators.
That said it did actually present a problem for those helicopters that had a Vmini - usually around 50knots. It rather begged the question how can you plan to enter IMC below the official airspeed for IFR flight?
If somebody can explain to me how we can - even today - depart the offshore helideck on a pitch black night and follow the RFM limitations I would be pleased to know.
G.