VSI reversal error

[200hr Wonder]

For a blackhole departure, I was and always have confirmed positive rate on the instruments for a few reasons. One if it is pitch black you can not always see positive rate, and you really don't want to pull the gear up too early. Secondly by monitoring the instruments as the PNF you can ensure that your PF has not lost situational awareness and been suckered in by the blackhole effect. As an SOP for my self I use positive rate three times before I get the gear moving, Alt, Rad Alt, VSI. I now do it during every departure just as a matter of course.