The book and the website
Frequently asked questions
What people ask most often about the book, reading it and the website. The answers draw on the book and its pages.
Who is this book for?
For two readers who look at the same sky. For the free-flight pilot, to give them complete independence in weather matters: from the frontal chart to the decision at launch, by way of the emagram, breezes and thermals. For the mountain hiker, so that they can answer three questions on their own, in the morning: will it rain, will I be walking in the cloud, and by what time must I have left the ridge? Every chapter speaks to both.
Do I need to know about weather already?
No: the book is designed for understanding mountain weather without being a meteorologist. Every chapter opens with “The essentials in two minutes”, the simple version, in everyday language, of everything that follows. The chapter then adds the precision, the numbers and the pitfalls, with plenty of diagrams.
Where should I start?
The book suggests three paths. The pilot: everything, in order; chapter 2 (the emagram) and chapters 6 to 8 (terrain, breezes, thermals) are the heart of the craft, and chapter 11 is for practice. The hiker in a hurry: the prelude (clouds), the “essentials” of chapters 1 and 4, then chapters 7 (breezes), 9 (hazards) and 10 (forecasting), and the checklists in appendix C. The day before an outing: chapter 10 for the method, chapter 11 to recognise the day that is coming.
How much does the book cost?
The beginning is free: the preface, the prelude, chapters 1 and 2 and the glossary, as well as the quizzes for every chapter and three of the nine games. The whole book in ePub costs €6.99, with your own copy numbered in your name and a month’s subscription to the website free. The website subscription, €3 a month or €25 a year, opens the whole book online, its animated figures, its games and its assistant; you can cancel it at any time. The book and the subscription
What is in the book?
A prelude for recognising clouds, then eleven chapters in four parts: understanding the air, the large scale, the mountains, deciding. Every chapter ends with “What to remember”, its glossary and its key figures. The appendices gather the field quick reference, the working sources, the checklists, the general glossary and, in appendix E, where the book’s knowledge comes from, with the books to read to go further. Online, the book has 138 colour figures and 56 animations; the website adds 143 quiz questions and 9 games. The contents
Can I read it on an e-reader?
Yes: the book comes as an ePub, with figures drawn for greyscale. Kobo, PocketBook, Vivlio and most e-readers read ePub: connect the e-reader to your computer and copy the file onto it. On a Kindle, send the file with Amazon’s “Send to Kindle” (the website or the app). The beginning of the book can be downloaded without signing up; the complete copy, numbered in your name, once you have bought the book. The beginning in ePub · Your copy
What are the codes printed in the book for?
Under each figure that has an animation online, and at the end of each chapter, a code takes you straight to the animation, quiz or game that goes with it. Type it into the website, under “Book code”: the figure comes to life, the chapter quiz opens, the game starts. And on the website, every mistake in a quiz sends you back to the page of the book that explains it. Book code
Are the quizzes and games free?
The quizzes for every chapter are free: “The essentials in two minutes”, then questions that are corrected straight away and explained by the book. Three of the nine games are free; the others are open to subscribers. The website keeps your scores on your device. The quizzes · The games
Does the book replace training or the weather forecast?
No. Mountain weather can never be reduced to a book. The figures given are typical values, to be checked against your own terrain, your flights, your outings, and the advice of instructors and mountain professionals. This book replaces neither training, nor the day’s forecast, nor calling it off when the sky demands it.
How was the book written?
With artificial intelligence. The outline, the writing of the chapters, the figures and their proofreading were produced in dialogue with artificial-intelligence assistants (Claude, Mistral and ChatGPT, each in its own area of strength), based on the author’s choices, corrections and requirements, then reviewed by him. The knowledge drawn on is the knowledge these models were trained on: the public scientific and technical literature, aviation-weather manuals, and training material for free flight and for the mountains. The typical values retained have been cross-checked, but they are still only typical values. Appendix E: going further
Who is the author?
Pierre Verley is a paraglider pilot and hiker. He flies mostly in the southern French Alps, and walks wherever the sky allows. The book grew out of his own revision: to gather in a single volume what an independent pilot and a hiker need to understand about the sky in order to decide. He is also an expert in artificial intelligence: he designs and deploys AI assistants for businesses and local authorities, and trains their teams. About the author and this book
How do I report an error?
Comments, errors to report, feedback from the field: all are welcome, on +33 7 88 38 22 21.
Can I support the project?
Yes. Digital publishing is not free: computers, a server, a connection, services, and above all time. Buying the book or subscribing already supports it. To go further: a supporter subscription, for an amount you choose each month, or a one-off helping hand, always with an invoice. The book and the subscription
What happens to my details?
They stay with Pierre Verley: they are neither sold nor passed on. In “Your data”, you can see what the website keeps about you, download it, withdraw your consent or delete your account. Your data