When you take your license test with an FAA designated pilot examiner, he or she will use a document called Practical Test Standard (PTS) which specifies all the items you may be test on as well as the successful completion requirements. You should have your own copy of the PTS and practice the maneuvers specified. Get it from https://www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/training_testing/testing/test_standards/FAA-S-8081-22.pdf
Here's a summary of flight maneuvers you should practice when you fly solo
BEFORE TAKEOFF CHECK
1. Exhibit knowledge of the elements related to the before takeoff check.
2. Establish a course of action with crewmembers, including signals, speeds, wind, and emergency procedures.
3. Ensure that the glider is in safe operating condition.
4. Check towline hookup and release mechanism, using the appropriate hook for the type of launch conducted.
5. Ensure no conflict with traffic prior to takeoff.
6. Complete the prescribed checklist, if applicable.
NORMAL AND CROSSWIND TAKEOFF
NOTE: If a crosswind condition does not exist, the applicant's knowledge of crosswind elements shall be evaluated through oral testing.
1. Exhibit knowledge of the elements related to normal and crosswind takeoff, including configurations and tow positions
2. Use proper signals for takeoff.
3. Lift off at an appropriate airspeed.
4. Maintain proper position until tow plane lifts off.
5. Maintain directional control and proper wind-drift correction throughout the takeoff.
6. Maintain proper alignment with the tow plane.
MAINTAINING TOW POSITIONS
1. Exhibit knowledge of the elements related to high-tow (slightly above the wake) and low-tow (slightly below the wake) positions during various phases of aero tow.
2. Make smooth and correct control applications to maintain vertical and lateral positions during high and low tow.
3. Transition from high- to low-tow position through the wake while maintaining positive control.
4. Maintain proper tow position during turns.
SLACK LINE
1. Exhibit knowledge of the elements related to the causes, hazards, and corrections related to slack line.
2. Recognize slack line and applies immediate, positive, and smooth corrective action to eliminate slack line in various situations.
BOXING THE WAKE
1. Exhibit knowledge of the elements related to boxing the wake (maneuvering around the wake).
2. Maneuver the glider, while on tow, slightly outside the tow plane's wake in a rectangular, box-like pattern.
3. Maintain proper control and coordination.
TOW RELEASE
1. Exhibit knowledge of the elements related to tow release, including related safety factors.
2. Maintain high-tow position with normal towline tension.
3. Clears the area before releasing the towline.
4. Release the towline and confirms release by observing the towline.
5. Make level or climbing turn.
NORMAL AND CROSSWIND LANDING
NOTE: If a crosswind condition does not exist, the applicant's knowledge of crosswind elements shall be evaluated through oral testing.
1. Exhibit knowledge of the elements related to normal and crosswind approach and landing procedures.
2. Adjust flaps, spoilers, or dive brakes, as appropriate.
3. Maintain recommended approach airspeed, +10/-5 knots.
4. Maintain crosswind correction and directional control throughout the approach and landing.
5. Make smooth, timely, and positive control application during the round out and touchdown.
6. Touch down smoothly within the designated landing area, with no appreciable drift, and with the longitudinal axis aligned with the desired landing path, stopping short of and within 200 feet (120 meters) of a designated point.
7. Maintain control during the after-landing roll.
8. Complete appropriate checklists.
SLIPS TO LANDING
1. Exhibit knowledge of the elements related to forward, side, and turning slips to landing, with and without the use of drag devices.
2. Recognize the situation where a slip should be used to land in a desired area.
3. Establish a slip without the use of drag devices.
4. Maintain the desired ground track.
5. Maintain proper approach attitude.
6. Make smooth, proper, and positive control applications during recovery from the slip.
7. Touch down smoothly within the designated landing area.
DOWNWIND LANDING
NOTE: This TASK may be evaluated orally at the discretion of the examiner.
1. Exhibit knowledge of the elements related to downwind landings, including safety related factors.
2. Adjust flaps, spoilers, or dive brakes, as appropriate.
3. Maintain recommended approach airspeed, ±5 knots.
4. Uses proper downwind landing procedures.
5. Maintain proper directional control during touchdown and rollout.
6. Apply brake smoothly to bring glider to a stop.
MINIMUM SINK AIRSPEED
1. Exhibit knowledge of the elements related to aerodynamic factors and use of minimum sink airspeed.
2. Determine the minimum sink airspeed for a given situation and maintains the selected speed, ±5 knots.
SPEED-TO-FLY
1. Exhibit knowledge of the elements related to speed-to-fly, and its uses.
2. Determine the speed-to-fly for a given situation and maintains the speed, ±5 knots.
SOARING TECHNIQUES
NOTE: Due to varying geographical locations and atmospheric conditions, the applicant may be asked to demonstrate at least one of the following soaring TASKS most appropriate for the particular location and existing conditions.
If conditions do not permit a demonstration of soaring skills, applicants will be expected to demonstrate knowledge of the various types of soaring through oral testing.
THERMAL SOARING:
1. Exhibit knowledge of the elements related to thermal soaring.
2. Recognizes the indications of, and the presence of, a thermal.
3. Analyzes the thermal structure and determines the direction to turn to remain within the thermal.
4. Exhibit coordinated control and planning when entering and maneuvering to remain within the thermal.
5. Apply correct techniques to re-enter the thermal, if lift is lost.
6. Remains oriented to ground references, wind, and other aircraft.
7. Maintain proper airspeeds in and between thermals.
STRAIGHT GLIDES
1. Exhibit knowledge of the elements related to straight glides, including the relationship of pitch attitude and airspeed.
2. Track toward a prominent landmark at a specified airspeed.
3. Demonstrate the effect of flaps, spoilers, or dive brakes, if equipped, in relation to pitch attitude and airspeed.
4. Exhibit smooth, coordinated control, and planning.
5. Maintain the specified heading, ±10°, and the specified airspeed, ±10 knots.
TURNS TO HEADINGS
1. Exhibit knowledge of the elements related to turns to headings, including the relationship of pitch attitude, bank angle, and airspeed.
2. Enter and maintains an appropriate rate of turn with smooth, proper, and coordinated control applications.
3. Maintain the desired airspeed, ±10 knots, and rolls out on the specified heading, ±10°.
STEEP TURNS
1. Exhibit knowledge of the elements related to steep turns, including load factor, effect on stall speed, and over banking tendency.
2. Establish the recommended entry airspeed.
3. Enter a turn maintaining a bank angle of 45°/±5°, with smooth and coordinated control applications.
4. Maintain desired airspeed, ±10 knots.
5. Recover with smooth and coordinated control application within 10° of the desired heading.
MANEUVERING AT MINIMUM CONTROL AIRSPEED
1. Exhibit knowledge of the elements related to maneuvering at minimum control airspeed, including flight characteristics and controllability.
2. Establish and maintains the airspeed at which any further increase in angle of attack or change in configurations would result in a stall in straight or turning flight in various configurations and bank angles.
3. Adjust the airspeed to avoid stalls in turbulent air or as bank is increased.
4. Apply control inputs in a smooth and coordinated manner.
5.Use proper procedures to avoid stalls when raising a lowered wing.
6. Maintain heading, ±10°, during straight flight, and the desired bank angle, ±10°, during turns.
STALL RECOGNITION AND RECOVERY.
1. Exhibit knowledge of the elements related to stall recognition and recovery, including the aerodynamic factors and flight situations that may result in stalls, and the hazards of stalling during uncoordinated flight.
2. Select an entry altitude that will allow the maneuver to be completed no lower than 1,500 feet AGL.
3. Establish and maintains a pitch attitude that will result in a stall during both straight and turning flight with and without flaps, spoilers, or dive brakes, as appropriate.
4. Maintain a specified bank angle of up to 15° of bank, ±10°, during turns.
5. Recover at the stall.
6.Use smooth and coordinated control applications throughout the maneuver.
AFTER-LANDING AND SECURING
1. Exhibit knowledge of the elements related to after-landing and securing procedures, including local and ATC operations, ramp safety, parking hand signals, shutdown (if appropriate), securing, and post flight inspection.
2. Select a suitable parking area while considering wind and safety of nearby persons and property.
3. Taxi to parking area and performs engine shutdown, if applicable.
4. Service the glider, if applicable.
5. Secure the glider properly.
6. Perform a satisfactory post flight inspection.
7. Complete the prescribed checklist.