A Helicopter pilot reported entering IMC while operating VFR during a night operation in Tidewater; Virginia. He alleges company aircraft are not appropriately equipped for night operations in their normal environment.

Narrative

Launched just after midnight. Weather was reported and observed to be 10 miles with stars visible above. Nearby Tappahannock airport; 20 miles away; was reporting same. Approximately 5 minutes into flight; after climbing out and dark adapting the cockpit as much as possible; we entered IMC at approximately 1200-1400 MSL; wings level. I announced I was initiating an instrument scan; and climbed to 1700 FT MSL; the MSA per our base IMC procedure. I knew this would provide 1000+ FT of clearance above any potential obstacle in that sector. The cabin crew announced that they could still see lights intermittently on the ground and at the aircraft's six o'clock position; so instead of climbing any further into clouds of an unknown thickness; I entered a gentle; level; left coordinated turn in balanced flight and we slowly reversed course 180 degrees; reacquiring VFR conditions. The entire evolution lasted approximately 1 minute. However; it seemed like an eternity. The Lower; Middle; and Upper Peninsulas; indeed all of Tidewater; Virginia; are located in the Mid-Atlantic region; adjacent to; and in many instances; nearly surrounded by; water--the Atlantic ocean; the Chesapeake Bay; wide rivers like the Rappahannock and Potomac; and their tributaries. Furthermore; there are vast areas of pine forest; in addition to these bodies of water; that present a low surface light reference at night. This is inherently an instrument environment only. We need an IFR capable aircraft with an Autopilot; Night Vision Goggles; and IFR currency/proficiency for the pilots assigned. Our ships are fun and capable aircraft to fly in the daytime; but they are a day VFR platform only; and the FAA should not allow them to be used at night; especially in this coastal environment; with its frequent; unforecast and unreported MVFR/IFR weather manifestations between reporting stations.