Project Headwind

As a child, I also found my fascination with aircrafts and flying irresistible. The allure of flying with the boundless freedom form the vast skies became a part of my desire. I believe aviation is the true passport to freedom.

At the heart of Project Headwind lies a passion and desire to enhance the experience of personal aviation. This unfolds in two parts.

Part 1: The Logbook

The Logbook is a premium, hand-crafted tool designed to accompany your aviation adventures. Made with high-quality paper and wrapped in a luxurious Alcantara cover, each logbook is meticulously hand-stitched for lasting quality. The elegantly designed page layouts ensure ease of use, allowing you to track your flights and experiences with simplicity and style. This is more than just a logbook; it’s an invitation to document the moments that make aviation personal.

Part 2: The App

While I’m keeping some details under wraps, Project Headwind also includes an app designed to be a valuable companion for aviation enthusiasts. It’s currently in development, with a focus on mastering Swift and SwiftUI to bring it to life. The app will serve as a tool to further elevate the experience surrounding personal aviation. Stay tuned for updates as the project continues to unfold.

Prototype 1

After researching and experimenting various page layouts, print options and binding methods, I have completed the first prototype. This prototype tests the page layout design and usability, binding technique, and overall user experience.

Each section is thoughtfully laid out to provide an effortless writing experience, with subtle grid lines that guide entries without ever overwhelming your focus. The clean, simple sans-serif font enhances legibility, ensuring that you can record your progress with clarity. The carefully balanced column and row sizes provide enough space for notes to breathe, while still keeping it compact and organised. Icons and symbols replace text in key places, saving space without sacrificing functionality.

The binding methods were narrowed down to saddle stitching and perfect binding. While saddle stitch binding is durable, it presents an issue when folding bundled pages together; causing the inner pages to protrude beyond the edges, a problem known as page creep. Trimming this excess often results in the loss of printed content, requiring each page to be individually adjusted to compensate (a process called shingling).

To avoid unnecessary complexity, poor finish quality, and a compromised user experience, my research concluded that perfect binding is the most suitable choice, due to its neat finish and the elimination of complexity in the print layout adjustments.



The feedback from the prototype has been valuable. It was made with 150gsm Canford Paper in Jet Black by Daler-Rowney, combined with the gluing technique delivered subpar results. The cover was thiner than necessary and the glue seeped over he fist page attaching more contact area of the cover to the first page.

To improve the bind, I will use archival-quality, pH-neutral PVA glue as the binding adhesive to ensure long-term durability and to prevent the pages from yellowing over time. Additionally, I will opt for a thicker, higher-quality material for the cover to provide better structure and a more refined finish.

Prototype 2

The next prototype will feature an improved binding technique, including sanding the spine edges and adding a mull for enhanced strength. It will use lay-flat perfect binding, with a new cover and endpapers materials.

Two new materials that will be used in Prototype 2 are:

The Delay

After numerous attempts to manufacture the logbook I have reached a crossroad.

I cannot afford to fully outsource manufacturing at this time. At the same time, I am unable to produce the logbook to the standard I expect by manufacturing myself with semi-outsourcing parts of production. Every approach has taught me something valuable, but none has resulted in the product I truly believe in.

I care deeply about my product. It is something I have envisioned clearly in my mind, and I want to bring it into the world exactly as I imagine it.

I realise that the aviation industry is shifting towards digital logbooks, and many pilots now rely on apps and cloud-based tools for their record keeping. This logbook is not for everyone. It is for those who value owning something special and seek to fully indulge themselves in their aviation experience.

This delay is difficult, but it is necessary. I want to build something that lasts, something that feels just right. I will find a way forward without compromising on what makes this logbook special.

Thank you for your patience to anyone following my journey.

With love,
Goutham