Shooting an ILS approach after 14 years. It was on Microsoft flight simulator, but it was worth knowing, it was consoling to know that I still know the things. I decided to fly out from Lakefront airport, as I was familiar with the environment. I decided to fly out to Gulfport airport which is just over 50 nautical miles from Lakefront airport at New Orleans. It was the flight path which was flown by me when I did my first cross-country flight. I asked for an IFR clearance and it was given as cleared for Gulfport airport as filed asking me to climb to 3000 feet. I was on runways 18R and decided to keep the climate foggy to get a real feel of using the ILS approach. I put in the throttle and climbed out, after a positive rate of climb I made a left turn to 067 degrees. The GPS showed that the airport was 54 NM from here. Since it was all white outside there was not anything to look around except to track the instruments. It was easy to maintain the altitude however, it was difficu...
Technology always breathes new life into a system and alters our way of working. However, it takes time and numerous changes to make a technology foolproof. Those who have lived the time computers came must be familiar with it. Technology change is something that we complain about today, but we thank later. A new move by the UK can be seen as the dawn of a new era and may see the same transition.
When everything is going digital why should the immigration process be left behind? The UK government is currently busy putting in place a completely digital immigration system. This means those applying for immigration to the UK will not see the paper documents like a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) but will see the electronic records of the immigration status, or eVisa.
The goal of the Home Office is to make the system work on its own with minimal to no paper usage by the end of 2024, according to the Home Office Digital, Data and Technology Strategy 2024. This is not a new thing, as some other countries have already moved to be completely digital at some airports. Finland is already test-running this completely digital environment wherein the first digital passports are being used.
How will the eVisa Work?
An eVisa is a digital format of the current physical form of immigration documents. An individual can show their rights to work and live in the UK using this digital status which can be accessed online through UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI). This online system can also be used by landlords who give property on rent to immigrants.
Necessary checks to work and rent in the country can be done by using the unique share codes by the online view and prove service. This service promises to be fast and bring transparency, plus the government will be able to contain illegal immigration in the country. The fact that one will not have to run around and everything can be checked on the phone, will help the government control migratory movement.
Can there be Issues with eVisas?
Even though this system is still developing, the Home Office is confident that it will make the process at the UK border more efficient. Plus, it will reduce or eliminate occurrences of loss, theft, or tampering. However, there can be some teething problems that need to be ironed out before realising the complete benefits.
There can be an increase in technical errors as the number of people accessing the system increases. The immigration sector is awake round the clock, and unless the government’s IT system is not the best of the lot, they are in trouble. The fact that everything will be online, means that if the system is not working, people are going nowhere. Difficulty in submitting biometric data, or the system failing to recognise biometric chip of passports are just a few of the examples.
The UK government will also have to make room for the digital divide. Everyone around the globe is not at the same level digitally, and since migrants may be coming from countries that have yet to catch up digitally, it will cause problems. Someone who has an old phone on which the latest app does not work may be left stranded at the airport. The authorities will have to work on every possibility to ensure the system runs smoothly.
The Final Thoughts
The Home Office’s efforts towards digitalisation hold the promise of an efficient and user-friendly immigration system. The online eVisa system does have the potential to make life easier for millions of people coming to the country. If we have answers and solutions to some questions, things will look much more promising at the airports and elsewhere for immigrants.
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