In my Arrow IV, I have taken off with the door open more than once. I
followed the procedures, vents closed, window open, 80 kts??, and slip.
While solo, I was able to close the bottom latch, but not the top. No big
deal, I think the manual even says you can fly like this with no adverse
effects. The other day I had a CFII with me, and same deal, only he could
not close the top or bottom from the passenger seat. I guess the passenger
has less leverage. We just landed and closed the door.

"gatt" wrote in message
news

"bob" wrote in message
. ..

I've only flow small single engines and had NO IDEA how serious this
could be. They don't teach you that in flight school. Or is it because
single engines with only one door do not react the same as the twins.

Tell me the straight skinny so I know next time I go flying.

I posted about this a couple of weeks ago when the door on the Arrow II I
was flying unlatched.

A high-wing door -should- close itself enough that it won't disrupt
airflow. A low-wing door, which is what I was flying, is a little
trickier, I THINK because the low pressure over the wing draws the door
out slightly, but the airflow keeps it closed enough that I determined
that trying to close it in solo flight was more of a distraction that
landing the airplane at a nearby strip and resecuring the door.

My windbreaker and sectional vanished, though.

-c